IF YOU'RE thinking of elevating your game on food preparation, wooden pieces on your dining table can be the answer.
While I was browsing through Facebook, RJ, our EIC, shared a post on our group chat about this local business selling interesting wooden pieces and other aesthetic items. I decided to visit them at Central Park, Bangkal, Davao City the next day to check their products.
Kasangkapan ATBP displays a plethora of wooden items in their garage converted into a display area. The owner said they do open houses once a month and accepts orders online most of the time through their Facebook page.
I initially just wanted to buy their Everlasting Rose, which is mounted on a wooden platform, to gift it to my girlfriend as a Valentine's present. But I ended up buying other stuff like wooden plates and saucers.
I got a little bit curious about the business and asked the owner, Mary Isabelle Apale-Periquet, a few questions about Kasangkapan ATBP.
The business was born after her friend bought her wooden plates during a Luzon trip.
"I am a very big fan of wooden pieces. When I received the items, we were really amazed because of the quality and the fact that all are Filipino-made," she said.
Mary recalled how she badly wanted to keep the items her friend bought for her but she decided to test the waters and sell it knowing there are not enough sellers of wooden pieces in the city.
"The items were sold in an instant and the rest was history. It also shows how Dabawenyos love wooden pieces," she said.
She added she named the business after a Filipino word "Kasangkapan" to make it more Filipino and at the same time not limit the products to only wooden pieces.
They first started selling wooden plates, trays, and bowls but eventually ventured to also selling Acacia cutlery, trays, charcuterie boards, steak board, and cheeseboard. These are sourced from different partners in Luzon and Visayas.
After a few months, they expanded to offering rattan or buri palm-made placemats weaved by artisans in Visayas and Mindanao, and capiz and local vines-made lamps.
"We want to focus on showcasing our local producers and sharing them here in Davao," she said.
What I appreciate also from this local business is its effort to leave as little carbon footprints as possible as they use sustainable and eco-friendly "katya" bags and kraft paper bags for their packaging.
Mary shared that the common denominator of their clients are the love for cooking and food presentation.
"As they say, when you present your food nicely, it tastes even better," she said.
They also have clients who are opening new restaurants in Cotabato, Mati, Davao, and Bukidnon. There are also exporters planning to ship their items to US, Canada and Europe.
At present, they intend to continue doing monthly garage displays, and increase their online presence. However, they do not plan yet to open a separate physical store as she wants to limit their exposure outside while the pandemic is ongoing.
"We are looking at more designs and new items now. Plus we're coming up with friendly prices possible so we can reach more people. And of course, we'll make sure to prioritize locally-produced pieces to support our local producers," Mary said.
You can check Kasangkapan ATBP here: https://web.facebook.com/Kasangkapan-103102564820000.