Being a tropical country, summertime provides a chance for the Filipino style to shine bright. From showcasing intricate weavings and imaginative color plays to highlighting endemic materials, locally-made fashions aren’t just beautiful to look at, they also have stories to tell on their own. This time, a new brand is entering the game to put a spotlight on the works of Leyte’s skilled artisans, offering handcrafted pieces inspired by their “sacred ordinary.” Founded by Anna Veloso-Tuazon, Uswag Artesano is all about heritage, history, and culture. “Uswag” is a Karay-a term for “improvement” and “advancement,” which pretty much sums up its mission—to present the Eastern Visayas region’s way of life. The idea of “sacred ordinary” stems back to Quintin Jose V. Pastrama’s poem “Mother’s Day,” where the phrase “sacred ordinary” celebrates the state of grace and gratitude in the peace and quiet of daily ritual. For the artisans of the brand, this ideal is embodied in the lives they lead as farmers, fisherfolk, and craftsmen. Fishing baskets, mats, market totes, and other everyday items are reimagined and re-interpreted through handcrafted lifestyle products using indigenous natural materials like bamboo, rattan, abaca, romblon, sig-id, and batang-batang. These materials are locally sourced from and produced in the towns of Villaba, Tabango, San Isidro, Calubian, and Leyte. “Through our bobo-inspired lamps, chicken brood of candle holders, amakan curtains, leafy abaca forest, and baskets that double as interactive art installations, we hope to give you a glimpse of the Third District—our Sacred Ordinary, visual and tactile narratives retold by our craftsmen and artisans,” shares Anna. Apart from championing local craftsmanship, circularity and providing a sustainable livelihood are also at the core of the brand. This goal goes beyond its artisans and also extends to local suppliers of indigenous materials. Moreover, the supply chain–from sourcing to production and selling—is all intended to inspire the reuse, renewal, and reimagining of lifestyle products. “We are part of the country’s creative economy,” Anna says. “By visually translating heritage concepts into contemporary forms... we create a ripple effect allowing our community to mirror to the world who we are, what we care about, and what makes us tick. It is our hope that this eventually yields social returns on investment and the quality of life we aspire to give our children and everyone we care about.” Check out Uswag Artesano’s “Sacred Ordinary” below: Photos from Uswag Artesano
Photos from Uswag Artesano
Photos from Uswag Artesano
Photos from Uswag Artesano

*Discover more of Uswag Artesano’s works by visiting @uswag\_artesano on Instagram.*
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