VESTI Initiatives: A Colorless Re-Purpose

by Jenn Delos Ama

Recycled Tarpaulins, Convertible Bags, Repurposed Creativity

As the dust settled and the 2022 Philippines elections season came to an end, Filipinos continued to foster the high energy they poured into different creative outlets during the campaign period. The people were still buzzing from the spirits of the unexpected movement that emerged from this time. But without the previous avenues to direct this energy into, the people had instead begun to forge new ways in order to utilize their creativity. One of these ways was to transform campaign posters into bags so that they wouldn’t end up as waste and could serve a new purpose.

VESTI found that the children in Mindanao could stand to benefit from a project like this, which is why the brand chose to pursue something similar. As face-to-face classes have begun to ensue across different regions, children would be needing bags for schools. A backpack that could be turned into shoulder bags was what the brand had decided on making. Research for convertible bag ideas was done and three bag concepts were proposed.

Once one of them was approved, the patternmaking process took place. The pattern for the bag was adopted from a pattern that was found online, which was adjusted in order to accommodate the size of the tarpaulins and to generate as little waste as possible.

While the patternmaking process was a challenge due to my limited knowledge, it was a challenge that I took on wholeheartedly. It was as I took extra attention and care towards making these patterns that I thought of the children that would be using the bags and how I envisioned them taking it to school. As I did simple arithmetic to figure out the ideal measurements of the bag and drew them on pattern paper, I thought about the children learning math and drawing for their projects. I imagined myself stitched into these bags, brought to class, and being in their company. It was a comfort to know that while we may not be able to provide help directly, there are always ways to reach out. And in VESTI fashion, it is through bags.

400 Pieces of Drawstring Bags made of upcycled 2x3 campaign tarps. These tarps were consciously taken out by owners of the houses and donated to the group. This initiative is being coordinated by Dainty Debak, a resident of Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental.

These women-sewers are led by Mrs. Myrna Marban from Balulang Women’s Livelihood Group in Cagayan de Oro. They are composed of stay at home mothers who are in need of livelihood assistance. They are very skilled sewers.

Beneficiaries: Rural Kids in Barangay Umagos, Lagonglong, Mis Or; a mountain barangay

From Dainty:

“And daghan kaayong salamat for the pattern and the eyelets. All these will go a long way in reusing campaign solid waste, augment the income of some urban poor women and in easing the load of 354 rural school children.”

There is a lot that can be said about this elections season. Some might argue just how different and monumental the events that transpired over the course of the campaigns were as compared to previous ones. But what remains certain and true is how it only takes one leader that is hardworking, compassionate, and honest to ignite the passion of the people to reciprocate the same kind of service and love they are provided. When people trust their leaders, they learn to trust each other. As what we would learn in school, and what I may have heard as a single stitch in one of those convertible bags brought to class, the best type of leadership is to lead by example. In the wake of this newfound, or possibly long brewing, collective spark and passion for service and leadership, I hope that brands, organizations, and people with similar ideals, beliefs, and principles continue to take on projects that not only showcases their command for their craft, but allows them to innovatively pursue their advocacies. I hope that passion fuels the creativity of our craftsmen, and service fuels their passion.