Baguio Smile

14/02/2025

Among the murky waters of sadness sprung the green leaves of hope. A hope that a beautiful you will come along.

Baguiosmile

08/02/2025

Support Local: The Value of Handcrafted Productions

In an era dominated by mass production and globalized trade, the importance of supporting local handcrafted productions cannot be overstated. These artisanal products are more than just commodities; they are embodiments of culture, craftsmanship, and community spirit. When we choose to buy local, we contribute to the preservation of traditional skills, the sustainability of local economies, and the promotion of ethical consumption.

One of the most compelling reasons to support local handcrafted goods is the preservation of cultural heritage. Many artisanal techniques have been passed down through generations, each piece telling a story of its origin. From intricately woven textiles to hand-carved wooden sculptures, these crafts reflect the history and identity of a community. Without local patronage, many of these traditions risk fading into obscurity, replaced by generic, factory-made alternatives that lack authenticity and soul.

I remember one time when a tourist stopped by our street exhibit and saw my handmade bolo ties. She scoffed, saying, "Gawa-gawa lang naman mga yan dito. Sa Australia ako bibili para tunay na bolo tie."

Not only did she insult local crafters, but she also got it wrong. Australia is not the origin of bolo ties—they, too, are influenced by the original designs. Bolo ties were conceptualized in the United States, inspired by Native American artistry.

My bolo ties, on the other hand, carry the same Western influence, as the Philippines was colonized by the Americans for 48 years. But what makes mine unique is how I incorporate local culture into the designs - the mini gong and lingling-o icons - the design tells a story of Baguio as a melting pot of cultures.

Beyond cultural significance, purchasing handcrafted products supports local artisans and small businesses. Unlike large-scale manufacturers that prioritize efficiency over quality, local craftspeople invest time, skill, and passion into every piece they create. By choosing to buy from them, consumers help sustain livelihoods and empower artisans to continue their work. This, in turn, strengthens local economies, as money spent within a community is more likely to circulate and benefit other small businesses.

Another critical aspect of supporting local handcrafted productions is ethical and sustainable consumption. Mass-produced goods often involve exploitative labor practices and environmentally harmful production methods. In contrast, many local artisans prioritize sustainable sourcing of materials and ethical labor conditions. By opting for handcrafted goods, consumers make a conscious choice to reduce their ecological footprint and advocate for fair labor practices.

Moreover, handcrafted products offer uniqueness and superior quality compared to their mass-produced counterparts. Every piece is made with attention to detail, ensuring durability and individuality. Unlike factory-made goods, which often prioritize quantity over quality, local crafts are designed to last, making them valuable investments rather than disposable commodities.
Supporting local handcrafted productions is not merely about making a purchase; it is about fostering a culture of appreciation for artistry, sustainability, and community development. By choosing local, consumers actively preserve traditions, empower artisans, and promote ethical consumerism. In a world that increasingly values convenience over craftsmanship, supporting local is a powerful statement of respect for both the past and the future.

I believe this is why the Creative Cities Network was established by UNESCO, to make the local creative industry the main driver of the economy. If there is big support for local products, cities with thriving creative communities can steer away from industrial manufacturing dominated by China, thus spreading the wealth of the world to non-industrialized regions especially the marginalized sectors that have their own creative products.

31/12/2024

04/11/2024

It is 1830. Utagawa Hiroshige is a fire warden from a low-ranking samurai family who is struggling to establish himself as an ukiyo-e artist. One day, he learns about a new paint called Berlin blue and is struck by its beauty. With support from his devoted wife, Kayo, he publishes the "Famous Places...

01/11/2024

Ap-apoy or Panagdenet is not a festival as some travel agencies said to misled and promote their tour packages. In fact, it is not an event being promoted for tourism. It is a solemn event for the Sagada people to commemorate their dead loved ones. Here's one of our stories about the event.
https://portraitasia.com/culture/sagadas-ap-apoy-a-merging-of-christendom-and-local-tradition/

25/10/2024

Tentacles

There was once a great social media website called Multiply where photographers posted their shots. I used to post still life and flora on that site. Here's one of those posts. Back then, I shot everything that looked beautiful, most especially human faces. :-)

25/10/2024

Tattooed Warrior

An elder of Mountain Province wearing a unique eagle tattoo. It is now rare to see younger ones wear tattoos. This photo was taken during the Lang-ay Festival in 2007.

25/10/2024

Since time immemorial, beads have been among the most important adornments of people in the Cordillera, especially among women. The region has no source for semi-precious stones except gold, so the beads were traded with neighboring countries through traveling merchants. This child was a contingent during the staging of the Lang-ay Festival in Bontoc, Mountain Province, in 2007.

Photo by Carl Taawan/BaguioSmile

21/10/2024

Feature A Celebration of Unity and Heritage at the 3rd Cordillera Festival of Festivals October 19, 2024October 20, 20243 min read Highland Tribune BAGUIO CITY—The vibrant heart of the Cordilleras came alive yesterday, October 18, at Malcolm Square as the Department of Tourism – Cordillera Admin...

06/10/2024

The mountains are calling and my little driver is itching to ride out.

Turista sa sariling bayan.

29/09/2024

Early morning shoot at Ristorante for the Run. Unfortunately, that is not my bike in front. My small bike is hiding somewhere. That is a 550cc Voge bike. I'm not sure how it performs but according to the owner from Guam who bought it to ride around the Philippines, it performs great. The owner is of Filipino nationality but was born and raised in Guam and dropped by the place for a cold drink to experience the place that is popular on Social Media. His next destination will be Sagada, Buscalan, and Banaue to experience other places made more famous through SocMed. Social Media is indeed a powerful promotion if you know how to connect the dots.

21/09/2024

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I started this website more than three years ago but I wasn't sure if I wanted to go back to the world of news gathering and journalism after the pandemic as I started to get more engagements in the creative industry that helped me survive months of quarantines. But in the end, writing and photojournalism are parts of me that I always go back to. So here I am asking for your help hoping your subscription will help this website get more engagements and hopefully, will be self-sustaining one day and be able to pay for its domain and hosting.

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20/09/2024

Winner of today's Search for the Best Tourism Village. Damag, Jacmal & Bunhian Aguinaldo, Ifugao. Story later.