Currently I am distributing my wooden bags in several boutiques in Manila and they have been featured in top Philippine fashion magazines. I have also participated in our annual fashion week where the International press are present. I have more than 50 designs, but only fourteen have been standardized as of the moment. Every bag is individually handcrafted, so one is sure to covet a one-of-a-kind piece.

I use green Philippine Mahogany and Acacia wood as base material for all my bags. All are lacquered after the process of wood treatment, sketching, carving, and assembling. Most are colored with different polyurethane paints, and some have Swarovski crystals and Tiger's Eye beads. I use wood because it is timeless, it is still a fairly new concept, and it has a lot of personality--the result is individual style. My regular clientele are women who go to a lot of socials, ages ranging from 17 to 70, depending on the bag design. These women are fond of art pieces as well as fashion. Making a statement is part of their lifestyle. I am continually inspired because I believe in my product and there are infinite possibilities in defining your wooden handbag and clutches.

It started with a need to be more transcendental in making a statement. I do not follow trends even when I have always been fashion-forward. I was tired of purchasing big name bag brands, even when they are original, you see the exact brandless bag which is also 'Made in China' which cost a lot less elsewhere. For me, it was my search for a perfect social stylish bag that made me think about getting into the bag business, after producing a number of sketches. Since then, I focused on employing skilled people who would aid me in my business, and have launched my bag brand in the country through Philippine Fashion Week and a major TV station coverage. I call the first batch of designs "Verdant Vitale" which means lush life in essence.

The bags are made of Philippine Mahogany and Acacia wood that are green, which means that I have made a program where replanting is automatic upon collection of the logs commissioned by the country's Department of Energy and Resources. Each bags undergoes a treatment process that is proven not to wear and tear even if there is climate change i.e. if you bring the bag to Russia then Morocco, the wood would not change its form. Each bag is individually handcrafted, and all bags are glossed with lacquer paint.

Because the bags are handcrafted and machines are not employed in the process of creating one, it would naturally take time to produce. So far quality has been tops, although delivery time would take two weeks or more if you choose to customize a wooden bag. There is no nightmare story, only challenges. However, being able to establish a brand is a feat in itself, and making sure that your products reflect your aesthetic which customers appreciate is also rewarding. It is all worth it because it is my passion, as it is also fulfilling to translate them to returns, which make me produce more unique designs every time.