Embroiding dreams, sewing hopes

Ready for stormy days. The Artes de San Vicente prepare themselves for challenges ahead as they await for another set of sewing equipment from a government agency. Findings of the SWOT analysis include becoming more productive by managing time wisely every single day. President Lea Bernaldez coaches her team to build a strong tower, founded in communication and in respect. (JN Magdaherin)

Have you heard of the Artes de San Vicente (AdSV)? Check your bags or shirts and dresses, these might be items produced by women, youth, returning OFW and retirees belonging to this association.

The AdSV started out as makers of bayong bags (their masterpiece) but had since produced new product lines such as, uniforms, seminar kits and leatherette bags, handy pouches, dresses, and even Christmas gifts. From what used to be just a small distribution now they have their works displayed at Iconarts in the Gaisano Mall of Davao and in the pasalubong center under the “Magnegosyo Ka Day” initiative of Davao City Mayor Sarah Duterte.

AdSV is not your ordinary business enterprise. Its humble beginnings were not started by just any private individual or group but by members of a GKK or Gagmay’ng Kristohanong Katilingban! Yes, you have read it right. It started out as a livelihood project of the San Vicente GKK in Vincent Heights Subdivision of Brgy. Angliongto, Lanang, Davao City in 2009.

It was organized to mobilize its youth sector under the Youth Entrepreneurship Support (YES) Program of the Department of Labor and Employment(DOLE). In partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry and through the DOLE’s Pangkabuhayan Program, the youth of Vincent Heights availed of training on Romblon Bayong Making and were provided with starter kit. It is with the end in view of providing hopes and improve lives in the community by providing livelihood opportunities for out of school youth and provide income augmentation for families to support schooling of in-school youth.

Its growth is gradual but steady. They were able to set up their own production center through the help of the Homeowners Association. In 2011, it became an association and duly registered with the Department of Labor (DOLE). Participants received series of training and product development interventions were conducted to level up their production. The association was formally organized and was duly registered with DOLE in 2011.

Their success story is greatly aided by the financial and technical support from government agencies such as the DOLE, TESDA, Department of Trade and Industry, City Councilor Marissa Salvador-Abella, and the local parish Church of the Our Mother of Perpetual Help. Today, the GKK is still assisted by its new mother parish, the St. Francis of Assisi, Laverna.

Currently, AdSV is aiming more markets and more barangays. They are working to expand their Center’s work area to increase production and accommodate more workers. They are not only widening their products’ reach but also their influence in other areas by sharing their success story and technical know-how.

The members and officers of the association underwent a whole-day team building and strategic planning session last November 26 at the Conference Room of the Department of Trade and Industry here in the city.

The activity opened with a message from its president, Lea Bernaldez while Ms. Masarina Banquerigo, the Marketing Officer presented the Performance Report. She said that the team worked well for the year as the sales doubled up.

As the association plans to become a cooperative to accommodate more members, Mr. Antonio Escobar of the Cooperative Development Authority provided an overview on organizing a cooperative.

Activities were focused on making vision-mission statement, communication as foundation, strategic planning and SWOT Analysis.

Mr. Jun Bernaldez, the business manager, gave a message and also led the discussions regarding the reorganization of Artes into a Cooperative.

Strategic Planning tackled topics as setting the VMG, Identification of Opportunities and challenges, what must be stop and what must be continued, establishment of development directions, and preparation of the 2017 Plans and Activities.

Artes de San Vicente is a product of collaboration between man and God for man proposes but it is God who disposes. Prayer and work go together, indeed. (With report from Cheng Vilog)