A Little About Our Home (Part 1)

Thank you Wikipedia! :)

Tarlac is a two hour drive from the country’s capital. It’s very well known for being a melting pot of tongues and cultures – tagalogs, kapampangans, ilocanos, and even a wee bit of pangasinenses mixed in. 

It is in this little gateway to the north composed of 17 municipalities and one city that brags a vast blend of traditions, including both culinary and craft… In fact, so vast that there isn’t much associated to Tarlac as Pampanga is associated to its parol, Bulacan to its pastillas among many others… perhaps save for its being full of sugarcane (a trait shared with other Visayan provinces) and the place of origin of Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino.

Sugarcane is one of three main crops planted in Tarlac. Credits to Ms. Divine Ramos of DTI-Tarlac for the photo.

Trail to Mt. Pinatubo via Capas, Tarlac. Credits to Ms. Divine Ramos of DTI-Tarlac for the photo.

Tarlac’s identity crisis, God forgive the author’s inability to coin a more euphemistic phrase, however can be seen as something reminiscent of the country’s as well. The Philippines, rich and beautiful, seems to have the trouble of having a heavily blurred cultural identity due to its being colonized by three nations until its independence just a few decades ago… The Philippines has had dreams of White Christmases, of royalty in their stone-walled castles, and many other un-Filipino luxuries, and yet basked in a pool of cultures, traditions and people that really scream “different.” In pretty much the same way that the Philippines can never be branded of Spanish, American, or Japanese culture, Tarlac can never be called a Kapampangan, Ilocano or Tagalog province. In pretty much the same way that the Philippines can adopt and make own the cultures of its former colonists, Tarlac can pretty much take what is existing – be it Kapampangan, Ilocano, Tagalog or Pangasinense – and just say that “It isn’t really Tarlac without all of these.”

To be continued...

We Are Woodinspirations Crafts.

About Us:

Woodinspirations Crafts, or Woodinspirations, is primarily a family enterprise given birth by husband-and-wife team Glenn and Bles Pascual in December of 2002. The company initially adopted the American folk art theme but after various exhibit and trade fair exposures through time, our products graduated to a more contemporary and all-our-own homegrown designs with the use of indigenous materials such as abaca and bamboo, etc. and have been duly recognized as most innovative during regional and national trade fairs. Woodinspirations Crafts now has a market base stretching from Northern Philippines to the south. Environment-friendly Woodinspirations sers to come up with more high quality products which are contemporary, unique and affordable aimed to cater to a wider range of clients here and abroad.

Our Vision and Mission:

Woodinspirations Crafts is a social enterprise as it aims to better everything it touches, from lives of clients and employees to material resources.

Client Satisfaction is one of our priorities. We provide unique and edgy products from home decors, to awards and gift ideas at a very friendly price.

We provide an alternate source of income to our employees, most of whom are farmers housewives and out of school youth in the locality.

We also advocate the use of renewable resources as much as possible by using recycled wood and locally sourced materials like bamboo.

Our Products and Services:

Our "Woodinspirations" line features gifts, home decor, and souvenirs made of 75% - 100% wood base. They come in unique and contemporary designs ideal for gift giving, corporate giveaways, and event tokens. This line also includes wood-based awards items such as trophies, plaques and medallions.

"Kauauian by Woodinspirations" features gifts, home decor and souvenirs made of 60-100% bamboo component, subject to treatment and preservation to ensure durability and lasting use.  Their contemporary look and design are ideal for gift giving, corporate giveaways and event tokens.

"Wisp by Woodinspirations" features accessories such as bangles, bracelets, charms and other items made of either wood or bamboo which come in a wide array of colors and unique modern designs.