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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Boundless hope

Boundless hope

Published Dec 29, 2024 11:12 pm

FROM THE MARGINS

ARIS ALIPjpg.jpg

Christmas is the season of warmth and togetherness. I spent Christmas week surrounded by family and loved ones. Though work continued, the Christmas spirit infused every moment: meetings were filled with shared laughter, and meaningful traditions brought joy to our offices. Whether through gift-giving, reflecting, or simply cherishing each other’s presence, the holidays reminded us of the love and connection that make life truly special. I hope this was true for everyone.


In my last two articles, I wrote about the SineMaya Film Festival. “SineMaya,” derived from the words “Sine”(meaning cinema) and “Maya” (sparrow), is a unique community film festival within the country’s microfinance industry. It highlights the talents of participants in filmmaking, focusing on microfinance clients’ stories of hope, perseverance, and success. Since its inception in 2022, SineMaya has been a platform for uplifting voices that often go unheard. I was glad to share their journeys of growth, empowerment, and transformation through my articles.

Elvira’s story

The winners of the SineMaya Film Festival are awarded trophies, certificates, cash prizes, travel incentives, and products made by microfinance clients. While writing about SineMaya, I discovered the inspiring story of Elvira Guivencan, the talented artist behind the beautifully crafted trophies presented to its winners.


Nestled in the heart of Paete, Laguna, a town renowned for its wood carving artistry, Elvira discovered her passion early in life. Growing up in her family’s chess factory, she displayed an innate talent for transforming raw wood into intricate works of art. While her siblings pursued other interests, Elvira embraced the craft wholeheartedly, carving out a life deeply rooted in tradition and creativity.


In 1985, Elvira and her husband, Gilberto, merged their shared passion for wood carving to establish Guivencan’s Paete Handicraft. Starting from modest beginnings, the couple crafted religious items and resin-based artworks, which quickly gained recognition within their community. Through dedication and hard work, their enterprise flourished, providing for their family and serving as a testament to their artistic partnership. However, in 2007, their journey was tragically altered. Gilberto was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and passed away, leaving Elvira to shoulder the responsibilities of both the business and their family.


Despite the heartbreak, Elvira’s love for her craft and her determination to honor the legacy she and Gilberto built gave her the strength to press on. Over the years, she faced numerous challenges, including the government’s logging ban, which restricted access to Batikuling wood—a staple material for Paete’s artisans. Later, the Covid-19 pandemic brought further hardships. Yet, even after suffering a mild stroke, Elvira remained steadfast, her hands continuing to carve out a brighter future for her family.

SineMaya trophies

Elvira’s journey of resilience was bolstered by her membership in a microfinance institution (MFI) in 2009, when she took her first loan of ₱5,000 to sustain her business. Over time, the partnership grew, as did her loan capacity. Each loan she received was invested into her business, enabling her to adapt to challenges and sustain her family.


Beyond financial support, her MFI provided Elvira with opportunities to showcase her craft on larger stages. In 2022, she was chosen to create the Maya trophies for SineMaya. Since then, they have become symbols of creative achievement, awarded to filmmakers whose stories reflect resilience and community spirit. Her detailed designs embody not only her exceptional craftsmanship but also the shared values of perseverance and unity that SineMaya represents. For Elvira, crafting these trophies is a way to give back and inspire others, transforming her life’s work into a beacon of hope.

A legacy of hope

Elvira’s remarkable journey is immortalized in the Tig-aláni art exhibit, which is staged every December by an MFI in San Pablo, Laguna to celebrate hopes and dreams nurtured through microfinance clients’ passion and perseverance. The term “Tig-aláni” means season of harvest in Hiligaynon and is often used metaphorically to represent the fruition of hard work, dreams, and resilience. The exhibit celebrates this concept by showcasing stories and creations that embody the fulfilment of aspirations achieved through dedication, perseverance, and community effort.


Now 60 years old, Elvira remains deeply committed to her craft, training her third child to continue the family business. She also dreams of establishing a small center to teach wood carving to local youth – hoping to preserve Paete’s rich artistic heritage and inspire the next generation to embrace this cherished tradition.


Elvira’s story is a powerful reminder that no matter how arduous the journey, with steadfast resolve and the right support, every dream can grow into a boundless harvest of hope. As we approach the coming new year, let us cling to stories of hope, like Elvira’s. They are all around us, and will help us find opportunities hidden in each new day.

* * *


“Reach high, for stars lie hidden in you. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.” - Rabindranath Tagore

(Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip is a poverty eradication advocate. He is the founder of the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development Mutually-Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI), a group of 23 organizations that provide social development services to eight million economically-disadvantaged Filipinos and insure more than 27 million nationwide.)

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FROM THE MARGINS Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip
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