As Antipolo City resident Ma. Elena Lorenzo's skillful hands continue to weave baskets or bayongs for the public, her hands are also able to weave and create a very bright future for her children.





Elena, affectionately called Ellen, of Barangay Muntindilaw, is one of the beneficiaries of the city government's free 3-day Bayong Making Community Livelihood Program aimed at equipping its residents with the proper knowledge and skills in creating bayongs as a means of livelihood.
"Noon pa man, siya ay aktibo sa pananahi gamit ang kaniyang sariling sewing machine. Ngunit sa paglabo ng kaniyang mata, pansamantalang huminto muna siya sa pananahi, na nagbigay daan sa bayong-making ng kanilang pamilya (Even before engaging in bayong making, Lorenzo has already been active in sewing clothes using her own sewing machine. However, due to her failing eyesight, she temporarily stopped from sewing clothes. This temporary hiatus paved the way for her family to start making bayong)," Antipolo City Mayor Jun Ynares said.
To sell her products, Lorenzo posts her hand-made bayongs on her Facebook page. Aside from this, she also sells them outside her home.
"Sa pagsisimula ng bayong micro-business ni Nanay Ellen, hindi lamang ito nakatulong sa kanilang kabuhayan kundi pati na rin sa pangtustos sa kanilang mga pangangailangan sa araw-araw, lalo na't ang kanilang padre de pamilya ay hindi permanente sa construction bilang isang mason. Bukod pa rito, nag-aaral din ang dalawa nilang anak, isang Grade 10 at isang college student (Ellen's bayong micro-business does not just help with her family's daily needs and expenses as their family's breadwinner doesn't have a permanent job in construction as a mason, but also helps in giving her Grade 10 and college level children the bright future they need and deserve)," Ynares explained.
For those who wish to support Ellen's business, they may call 09451441519 or message her on her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ellen.lorenzo.376.
Aside from the bayong-making livelihood program, Antipolo City also regularly conducts soap-making and other technical livelihood programs for its constituents to help them in their financial needs.