IF THERE are too many abaca fibers sitting in front of you, you don’t just stare right through it. You turn it into a world-class product just like what Tadeco Livelihood did.
The program’s handmade crafts started as early as the 70’s, but didn’t pick up. Until the industry was revived in the mid-90’s with Maricris Floirendo-Brias’ return home to Davao with a degree in design from a London university and infused fresh design ideas into the trade, the looms spun its magic.
Product design and management was professionalized. Soon Tadeco Livelihood started joining trade shows in Manila. As soon as the first orders were placed, the company was officially into the export business. The Davao-made home accessories were sold across the globe.
It was good news for all involved—the management, design team and most especially the production team made up of local weavers and barangay folks.
Each year, a collection of new products using the abaca and T’nalak frabric was created. Consistently it got recognition from different award-giving bodies and most importantly, sparked the more interest from the local and international market.
Once a year in Davao, the Tadeco Livelihood’s products are showcased and sold via the Mindanao Trade Expo, a trade show that presents the different products made in Mindanao. It’s only at this time of the year, the locals get to admire the products and own a few.
Maybe it took a while before the Filipino market started patronizing locally-made products, but Maricris Brias pursued in showcasing its products to the domestic market. But time came when locals finally got into the supporting Philippine-made goods.
Is “Support Local” a trend or did the Pinoy’s finally realized that locally-made products are at par (if not better) in design and quality with goods made abroad?
In 2011, Brias decided to open a showroom, T’nalak Home in Abreeza Mall. Her main objective was to showcase all of Tadeco Livelihood’s products, which included award-winning designs plus more, for everyone to see and own. The Davao-made products was finally given a home where everyone is welcome.
Through T’nalak Home, access to the brand’s current designs was made accessible to the local market immediately after each season’s international trade show. Whatever new TADECO Livelihood product is sold across the globe will also be available in the Davao store.
2018 marks T’nalak Home’s seven years in the retail scene, and like each year in the past, T’nalak Home had every reason to celebrate.
Welcomed to the party at their “home” were clients, architects, interior designers, and friends who made the store what it is today. These are some of the people who has brought—and constantly bringing— the Davao-made products to the forefront of stylish and tasteful home design, and putting on everyone’s top of mind that Davao handmade products are synonymous to excellence in artistry and quality worthy of space in everyone’s home.
Maricirs Brias said in her toast, “We would like to thank everyone for coming to celebrate this milestone with us. T’nalak Home wouldn’t be where it is now without your support. Your support of T’nalak Home also supports the livelihood of many people, most especially the tribes who weave the fabric to which all these products are made from.”
Cheers to T’nalak Home and keep the looms weaving!