It takes Real Passion to Give. Leyende, which started from a small kitchen where one woman learned to hand-mix eco-friendly natural and organic body products, is now a 140sqm workshop, where founder and President, Neva Kares P. Talladen trains and employs empowered women in the artisanal process of production, something we like to call “passionately handmade” — working with respect for the environment and pride in using one’s hands.

 

With the same dedication and passion, we proudly introduce three Limited Edition products with embellishments designed by Sharon See and handmade by Invisible Sisters Foundation,

 

 

 

which directly benefits the following advocacies: 

**UNICEF Product: Mother Butter Limited Edition, 100ml Motto: “Save a Mother, Save the Future” Advocacy: Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare program Pledge: P100 per product unit sold is donated to UNICEF

**SCHOOL H.O.U.S.E. Product: Clean Slate Pump Limited Edition, 100ml Motto: “Wash away ignorance” Advocacy: Project H.O.U.S.E. College Education Fund Pledge: P100 per product unit sold is donated to Project H.O.U.S.E. (under Messy Bessy)

***MARILLAC HILLS SHELTER FOR WOMEN Product: Beach Bomb Wings Limited Edition, 50ml Motto: “The Sweet Scent of Freedom” Advocacy: Marillac Women’s Shelter Pledge: P100 per product unit sold is donated to Marilac Rehabilitation Center and Shelter for Abused Women

 

Tis the season of giving once more! But with all the gadgets, toys and accessories available in shops and on-line, choosing presents has become more of a chore than a thoughtful process. With everyone scrambling to the next new shiny thing, the value of handmade gifts seems a thing of the past.

What do you give someone who means the world to you? Or someone who gets the latest and trendiest gifts each season?

Instead of adding to the culture of excess that each holiday brings, Leyende offers a refreshing take on truly meaningful gifts: the

 

 

Real Benefits Campaign.

Holiday shopping takes on a new, socially-relevant dimension with the following limited-edition Leyende products:

Clean Slate Multi-tasking Face Cleanser (limited edition packaging with crocheted waterdrop phone charm) 100mL - P450.00 Wash away ignorance!

 

For every purchase of limited edition Clean Slate Multi-tasking Face Cleanser that cleanses skin without overdrying or stripping off natural oils, you donate P100 to the Project H.OU.S.E. College Fund, which is going to sponsor the education of at-risk, out-of-school youth who undergo work-study program with Messy Bessy worry-free, ecofriendly household cleaners.

 

 

Clean Slate Multi-tasking Face Cleanser key ingredients:

trehalose (a form of sugar that helps skin retain moisture, antioxidant) pineapple extract (nature’s toner and skin freshener)

 Ecocert-certified sweet almond oil (skin moisturizer without greasiness, calms skin irritation and inflammation, rich in vitamin A, E, B1, B2 and B6)

 

Clean Slate complete list of ingredients: DEIONIZED WATER, ORGANIC SWEET ALMOND OIL*, VIRGIN COCONUT OIL, PINEAPPLE EXTRACT, LIPOSORB**, EMULSIFYING WAX**, DISTILLED GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE**, SUGARCANE OLIGOSACCHARIDES*, TREHALOSE*, A-TOCOPHEROL (VITAMIN E), CITRIC ACID, XANTHAN GUM, GLUCONALACTONE-SODIUM BENZOATE**, FRAGRANCE (*ECOCERT-certified, **ECOCERT-approved)

 

 

Mother Butter Cocoa Butter Body Moisturizer (limited edition packaging with crocheted sleeve made from recycled plastic bags) 100mL - P450.00 Save a Mother, Save the Future!

 

 

For every purchase of limited edition Mother Butter, you stave off stretchmarks and dry skin, and contribute P100 to help UNICEF’s Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare Program reach more expectant women in need from remote areas.

 

Mother Butter Cocoa Butter Lotion key ingredients:

 theobroma cacao (polyphenol-rich antioxidant, moisturizing, relief for itchiness, safe for pregnant women)  Ecocert-certified sweet almond oil (skin moisturizer without greasiness, calms skin irritation and inflammation, rich in vitamin A, E, B1, B2 and B6)

Virgin coconut oil (natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, rich in lauric acid) Mother Butter complete list of ingredients:

40% THEOBROMA CACAO**, ORGANIC SWEET ALMOND OIL*, SUPERFATTED COCOA

EXTRACT, DEIONIZED WATER, VIRGIN COCONUT OIL, LECITHIN, XANTHAN GUM**, VIT. C, VIT B3, ORRIS ROOT EXTRACT, VANILLA EXTRACT, A-TOCOPHEROL (VIT. E)

(*ECOCERT-certified, **ECOCERT-approved) 

 

Beach Bomb (limited edition packaging with crocheted wings lariat) 50mL - P450.00

The Sweet Scent of Freedom!

 

 

For every purchase of limited-edition Beach Bomb cologne, the refreshing blend of aloe, vetiver and coconut essences lifts the spirits, knowing that P100 of it goes directly to the daily needs and rehabilitation costs of the residents of Marillac Shelter for Women.

Beach Bomb Cocoa Butter Lotion key ingredients:

 sugarcane alcohol (non-drying, disinfecting properties) aloe vera extract (anti-inflammatory, moisturizing and has skin-healing properties)

Beach Bomb complete list of ingredients:

(*ECOCERT-certified, **ECOCERT-approved) 

 

More information on Invisible Sisters Foundation (women who crocheted the accessories): Started three years ago by American artist Ann Wizer, INVISIBLE Sisters has grown to be a factory without walls—training and providing livelihood to poor women in Manila who transform waste plastic into fashion items such as tote bags. Working especially with crochet techniques, the dozens of INVISIBLE Sisters have recycled over one hundred thousand used shopping bags, turning them into more than 30,000 products including tote bags, coin purses, retail packaging, and clutch bags.

 

 

Sharon See (designer for the crocheted accessories):

 

 

 

Stylist and Production Designer, Sharon See, is also a known crafter and accessories designer. Her recent crochet projects are geared towards advocacies such as Invisible Sisters Foundation and other communities of disadvantaged women in Metro Manila. Recently, she has collaborated with Messy Bessy and Leyende to pioneer upcycling projects towards more sustainable packaging.

 

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My friend Chary gets me into the most unusual and unique things ever! and I LOVE IT! After our visit to the Makati City Jail,

 Previous entry:  Visit to the Makati City Jail November 8, 2011 

She invited me to a wedding where she was the coordinator She asked me to meet her at the MAKE UP ROOM ( using one of the offices in Don Bosco church ).  They have been here since 7am and I arrived at 830am 

where all the brides are being groomed for their special day   

Couldn’t find Chary at first and bumped into her husband Lito.  This is actually the event of Lito together with his Rotary Makati West Group and good wife Chary enhanced and made it better by offering her services together with her Happy2Help group

 

And here is Chary!  With her friend Acie Romero, helping out with the make up for the brides  

 

Mia Nolasco- Gonzales from Luxasia brings her team to help out as well! 

And Pauli Genuino who I have not seen in so long!!!  Pauli is now an instructor at John Robert Powers.  I heard she even gave tips on posture for the brides!  :-) 

 She brought her classmates from CAS ( Center for Aesthetic Studies ) to help with the make up

Previous entry:  Beauty 101 April 29, 2008  

Picture taking with family already happens in this room :-) 

After that, I went to the reception area where they were setting up the tables and chairs  and here is Chary again decorating the area

Chary’s friends, Noel Tordesillas and Vivienne Hugo, who are engaged and about to be married, donated the wedding cake 

Other members of Happy2Help - Wendee Soliven, Tina Norton and her daugther and Vivienne

 

Then I rushed to the church as the wedding ceremony was about to start.  Here is the Rotary group who sponsored this wedding!  Thanks to them, couples are formally married in church with the blessings of God.  There are many out there who are not married in church because of financial reasons.  However, they made it possible today for 38 couples to be married.  Lito told me they wanted to wed 42 couples in honor of their 42nd anniversary but they were not able to gather enough and some couples did not qualify for the church requirements.  They have been doing this for 18 years already!  They provide the gowns and barongs, the reception and church fees.   

 

 

All the couples waiting in line to march down the aisle :-) 

Even the flower girls and ring bearers are in line :-) 

Ceremonies being held at the Don Bosco church take note with aircondition! :-) 

Just the 38 couples fill up already a big part of the church  Each couple is allowed to invite 4 guests each

I could not stay the whole ceremony so I left and checked out the reception area and here it is, ready for the newlyweds to celebrate.  This is just nearby the church, so they just have to walk a few steps

Thanks to Lito for some photos which I grabbed.  They even had a photo booth:-) 

and the romantic cutting of cake and toast! 

 

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Christmas is not complete at Heart2Heart without Kidsmile! 

Previous entries:  Kidsmile Foundatiom September 10, 2007

Kidsmile Foundation Christmas 2008 December 16, 2008 

Kidsmile Foundation Christmas 2009 November 8, 2009

Kidsmile Foundation Christmas 2010 November 22, 2010 

 

Hello dear friends! 

It’s that time of the year again and we’d like to show you what Kidsmile Foundation is offering as its holiday fund raiser this year.

We have a set of 3 large burgundy color eco- bags, nicely packaged in a white & red gift bag with an attached To & From tag, ready for giving at only P195.

The set of 5 large burgundy eco-bags packaged in the same white & red gift bag is P295.

The burgundy eco bags measure 13″ x 16″ x 8″ while the white & red gift bag measures 7″ x 8″ x 3.5″.

The proceeds from last year’s holiday fund raiser allowed Kidsmile Foundation to continue funding the daycare class for toddlers at The Haven center in Alabang for another year.  We are on our third year of sponsorship. 

The class is taught by a qualified pre-school teacher with proper educational materials. The kids learn their ABC’s, colors and numbers, just like at any other nursery. They love their class and their bright and happy classroom. Field trips to Museo Pambata and the Manila Ocean Park were special events that were the highlights of their year.

 

 Here are the Kidsmile Foundation holiday photo cards for this year.

The cards come in 4 colors: red, green, blue & brown and have corner slits to accommodate a 4″ x 6″ photo of either vertical or horizontal lay out.

The inside message reads “Happy Tidings * Good Cheer”

A pack of 8 cards and envelopes is P350.

Packed either in single or assorted colors.

 Here is the kidsmile foundation sticker sheet design for this year. As always there are 20 sticker tags per sheet. (sheet is A4 size)

and we still have the red envelopes discounted now at only P10 should you want to package them as gifts.

the stickers are 3 sheets for P100 or P35@.

  

Nicole Olbes Fandiño

Pinky Herrera Brady

Ana de Borja Araneta

kidsmilefoundation@gmail.com

8427160

www.kidsmilefoundation.multiply.com

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 The local fashion scene holds true to its heart

Coming from the success of Metrowear Icon: Oliver Tolentino, Metro Society, once again, pays tribute to a Filipino talent and National Artist who has embodied Philippine fashion aesthetic with his intricate beadwork and hand-painted fabrics. In partnership with ABS-CBN, The Lifestyle Network and in cooperation with the Binibining Pilipinas charities, Metro Society is proud to present Jose “Pitoy” Moreno: A Tribute Gala.

 

 Known worldwide as the Fashion Czar of Asia, Pitoy Moreno has been an inspiration to both much-admired and aspiring designers for over 50 years. He has dressed the most elegant women here and abroad yet still embracing, and staying true to, his Filipino roots. His muses from the early days who have become his close friends and most loyal clients include Toni Parsons, Stella Marquez-Araneta, Gloria Diaz, Tingting Cojuangco, Conchitina Bernardo, and Aurora Pijuan.

 

Skilled at the art of creating formal Filipinianas such as splendid ternos with vertical butterfly sleeves and cinched waists and 19th century-inspired Maria Clara’s with shoulders draped by pañuelos, it is said that he has taken French fashion greats Pierre Balmain and Pierre Cardin by surprise when he presented a high fashion collection at a show staged by the Philippine embassy in Paris.

Pitoy has staged 43 (and counting) shows in every major city from Paris, Moscow, Rome, Madrid, New York, Hong Kong, San Francisco, Tokyo, Cebu, and Davao. Even with over 50 years of experience, he still maintains his old-fashioned lifestyle as he continues to receive daily clients without any office staff and keeping only five full-time sewers at his atelier.

The biggest fashion event of the year, the Metro Society Jose “Pitoy” Moreno: A Tribute Gala  is in celebration of the genius, artistry and creativity of the acclaimed Filipino designer. The show, to be held on the 21st of November at the Isla Ballroom of EDSA Shangri-La Manila, will feature over 100 pieces that encapsulate his exquisite collection of Philippine costumes, extraordinary couture gowns, and beautifully crafted ternos.

For those interested in watching the Jose “Pitoy” Moreno: A Tribute Gala, tickets are available at P5, 000 each. Proceeds will be for the beneficiaries of the Lopez Group Foundation’s (LGFI) assisted community programs and projects. LGFI coordinates the Lopez Group’s corporate social responsibility initiatives focused on education, health and wellness, humanitarian assistance, livelihood, environment, and the promotion of Philippine arts and culture.

For donations and ticket inquiries, please get in touch with the LGFI secretariat staff, Monica Tan, at (02) 4496171; (02) 4900779; 09063318257

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My sister’s batch which is having their Velada in they year 2013 has been fund raising many years ago!!  They have done all the movie premieres of Twilight from the first till now.  They still have a few tickets left, hope you can support them.  

 They are the batch responsible for the famous Swatch which is sold out and many are still looking for and wanting to purchase!

Previous entry:  Limited Edition Assumption Swatch October 3, 2010 

 

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In the Makati City Jail, believe me when I say they are busy  Not only are they busy doing their daily chores and routine, they even have livelihood projects.  They earn a living inside so they can earn.  

Salon and Shoe repair 

Candle Making 

A Jail sari sari store :-) 

 

A bakery  This guy is their baker and when we visited he was in his last few days in jail and ready to go out in a few days.  He said that he has taught and passed on his knowledge to someone else so they can continue to do what he was doing 

They even grow their own vegetables 

And have a few animals they grow for food  

In the female jail cell, we saw some women repacking coffee into smaller portions and they sell them 

And the latest livelihood brought by Chary to them are her Statement bags.  She brought more fabric for them to work with since she is getting a lot of orders for her bags for Christmas.  She helps the detainees by giving the something to do and at the same time earning something for their labor of sewing the fabric together into bags

And here is the finished product and a message from Chary.  Chary has her foundation with other friends called Happy2Help!  It’s like Heart2Heart-  H2H :-)  Hope you can support Happy2Help and the detainees in the Makati City Jail by purchasing the bags they make  

 

Hi Friends,

One “ber”  month has already passed so it seems an appropriate time to remind you that Christmas is just around the corner. tadadadaaannnn

Fear not those who haven’t bought a thing! This year, happy2help, is selling two kinds of bags which would make beautiful, meaningful and eco-friendly Christmas gifts for your family and friends. 

The other line we are offering this year is the “Smart Shopper,” HUGE canvass grocery bags with waterproof interior and heavy duty straps. The smart shoppers come in chocolate brown, army green, light grey, tangerine and cream.  As you can see from the photos, they are emblazoned with our favorite “universal truths” as stated by different icons of our time: the Dalai Lama, Winston Churchill, Norman Vincent Peale, JK Rowling and Lady Gaga

These bags were handmade by the inmates of Makati City Jail.  Many of the men and women who made them are accused, but not convicted, of crimes and have been waiting several years for a verdict in their cases.  Happy2help is giving them this opportunity to earn money for their families through these bags.

The smart shoppers are priced at P200 each, or P900 if you get a set of all five.

In the pictures attached, you will see a group shot of the “Glam Shopper.”  These are satin bags in six jewel tones with a damask print embossed in black velvet.  The handles are made of grosgrain ribbon.

 

Made by victims of typhoon Ondoy who have since been relocated to the province, these bags are the perfect gift for teachers, tellers, office ladies, and any other woman who knows being “green” doesn’t necessarily mean forsaking all sense of style!

 

We are selling the bags pre-folded into pouches at P100 each.  If you want them in all-black silk-lined boxes for added sophistication, then those are either P150 for singles or P350 for a trio.

We can customize bags for you as well for a minimum 100 orders.

All the bags have attached a tag that explains how proceeds from these bags help improve the lives of the sewers, and the communities that are served by happy2help.

Thanks for your consideration.  We hope to hear from you soon!

Chary Mercado

email address:  charina.mercado@gmail.com 

Please contact us through our facebook page, click below to go to Happy 2Help at facebook to place your orders

 

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On Halloween day, I spent the morning at The Makati City Jail.  It’s just a few blocks from MC Home Depot in the Fort.  This is where people are detained while they are waiting for their day in court.  It’s a pity because some of them wait for so many years, it’s like they served their sentence already.  Then when the time comes for them to go to court, they meet their lawyers a few hours only before their trial

Yet it was nice to see that despite that, people here are trying to make the most of what they have

When you first enter, you see a nice christmas tree made from recycled plastic bags.  They celebrate early too like me

Thank you to my friend, Chary, for bringing me along with her.  For Chary this is a regular routine for her as she comes every week to tutor the detainees.  Thank you too to Bong Espenocilla, a detainee himself,  for touring us around and telling me about life in their place

A typical day for them 

Everyone is kept busy which is good.  I would not know how life is in a place like this but seeing all of them, it was nice to see some smiles on their faces and hope that maybe one day they will still have a life outside 

These are the old jail cells for solitary confinement but these are not used anymore nowadays.  This is where Ninoy Aquino and Serge Osmeña stayed during their stay here.  Now they are used for conjugal visits of spouses or just locked up and not being used 

They cook their own food 

They are a very religious community.  There are even volunteers who regularly visit, some even everyday to give spiritual guidance for them.  They have a grotto in the garden with a chubby Mother Mary  They are looking for someone to donate a Virgin Mary for their grotto.  I actually like their version because I find it unique and antique already  

Chary never visited the cells but this visit we went inside and we toured the male cells and they even serenaded us :-) They were very well behaved and the place was clean and neat.  There are around 400 plus male detainees 

And we visited the female cells.  There are almost a hundred female detainees, not as many as the males 

They have  many, many activities to keep them busy, who said life in jail was boring? Not here! 

Chary teaches up to 10 per class.  Since March this year, Chary and other volunteers with her - Jason Bangayan, Leah Puyat and Risa Garcia come over to tutor them for an hour.  Many of them don’t have highschool diplomas, so teachers from the Department of Education come twice a week to teach them and Chary and her friends come once a week to tutor them in preparation for the once a year test they will have to pass to get their diplomas.  

and boys have separate classes from girls, they are not really allowed to interact unless they have joint activities planned.  Chary told me that she used to teach them under the heat of the sun!  It’s a good thing now they have these huts where they can work in  

Thank you Chary for this very enlightening experience for me.  I will never forget this Halloween Day.  And Thank you to you and your friends for giving hope to the detainees who are wiling to learn and earn a highschool degree.  And maybe one day when they are free and can go out in the real world, they will be ready and able to do more for themselves and face a bright future  

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Last October 20, Thursday, was the Francisfest Charity Auction organized by Tito Joey Soriano, President of the Parish Pastoral Council of the Sanctuario de San Antonio Parish Church.   His goal was to raise P 11m and by that evening he was already halfway without even selling yet all the auction items. 

 

Previous entry:  Francisfest Charity Auction October 14, 2011 

Many familiar faces, those of whom are loyalists and always support the church 

Many beautiful pieces!  

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This is Heart2Heart’s second time to attend Tessa’s Red Cross Ball. I remember the first one

Previous entry:  Lustico October 29, 2009

And I missed last year because I was out of town but I am so glad I did not miss this one, it was truly a beautiful collection by Michael Cinco!!  Thank you to Tessa and Kaye for a great event - being able to help the Red Cross at the same time showcasing Filipino talent

 

Thank you to Queenmelo, Jun Jun and Czarina Ablaza and Stenie for the people photos

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