FOR THE AETA COMMUNITY. Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel and ACEDIPO Head Irish Bonus-Llego pose with four renowned Angeleño designers — Jojo Macapinlac, Marlon Tuazon, Frederick Policarpio, and Rosette Ramos-Biag — who recently launched their facemask for a cause project for the benefit of the Aeta community in Sitio, Target, Barangay Sapangbato.
ANGELES CITY — Four renowned Angeleño designers have taken the initiative to coordinate with the city government for the launching of their “facemask selling for a cause” for the benefit of the Aeta Community in Sitio Target, Barangay Sapangbato.
The four designers are Marlon Tuazon, Frederick Policarpio, Jojo Macapinlac, and Rosette Ramos Biag, who met with Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel, Angeles City Economic Development Investment Promotions Office (ACEDIPO) head Irish Bonus-Llego and Gender and Development Officer Mina Cabiles on November 11, 2020 regarding the project.
They have also coordinated with Beautéderm Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Rei Anicoche-Tan for the said facemask drive for a cause.
Tuazon, Policarpio, Macapinlac, and Ramos-Biag will personally showcase their own facemask designs at the Angeles City Government’s One Town One Product (OTOP) store, located at Barangay Sto. Rosario near Museo Ning Angeles.
ACEDIPO Head Bonus-Llego mentioned that the said facemasks will be up for grabs at the Facebook page and Shopee account of Angeles City OTOP store. It will also be available at La Casal by Rosette Ramos-Biag’s store located at Nepo Mart Complex.
According to Tuazon, each box to be sold at the OTOP store will have four pieces of facemasks, which are personally designed and created by them.
“This is just not a facemask, but an instrument to help our Aeta brothers and sisters,” he shared.
For every box, Ramos-Biag said, will cost P1,500. For every purchase, she added, part of it will be donated to the Aeta households in Sitio Target, Barangay Sapangbato.
“We have chosen them because we want to let them know that we are one with the city government in their advocacy to improve more the quality of life of our marginalized sector — that we will always reach them wherever they are,” Ramos-Biag stressed.
Meanwhile, Cabiles shared, the city government is visiting the Aeta community regularly to ensure their safety and welfare. Every year, the city is hosting the celebration of Indigenous People’s month to remind them that they are indeed part of the community.
Macapinlac also furthered that the four of them want to share their talent for the benefit of the indigenous people in Sitio Target, Barangay Sapangbato, whlich is one of the hardest-hit sectors in the midst of the pandemic.
“Naiintindihan natin yung kalagayan nila since the start of pandemic. But we know also how hardworking they are — may diskarte. Kahit tanim lang nila sa bakuran kaya silang pakainin. Nevertheless, maparamdam din natin sakanila na maraming nakakaalala sakanila kahit nasa bundok pa sila,” he said.
Policarpio, for his part, also thanked the all-out-support of Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr., Chief Adviser and Tactician Director IC Calaguas, and Manuel for the launching of their facemask selling for a cause. He is also expressed his gratitude to their friends, families, and some private individuals who have vowed their support.
“Ngayon pa lang, we want to thank all individuals, especially Mayor Lazatin, Ms. Manuel, Ms. IC, and Beautéderm P/CEO Rei Anicoche-Tan for showing their support and trust to our project. Rest assured that we are one with them in uplifting the lives of our Aeta brothers,” Policarpio reiterated.
Moreover, Manuel is encouraging her constituents to promote world-class Gawang Angeleño, as locally-made products are available at the OTOP store.
“Angeleño Pa! Iba ang gawang atin, talagang maipagmamalaki kahit saan ka pa mapunta,” Manuel shared.
It can be recalled that the four designers have also vowed to support the city government’s face-mask livelihood program, sharing their time and talent, and personal designs to the hired mananahis.
