Saturday, September 29, 2007
A GIFT IDEA FROM THE STATES
At first glance, this bag may appear rather unassuming, or more aptly, unglamorous. But in the States, it's regarded as a tough and yet elegant utilitarian bag, because of its 24 oz. cotton canvas and that it exudes panache with practicality, if you will.
The smaller ones are referred to as tote bags, while the bigger, extra-large ones (as featured in the above photo) are called boat bags. They're washable and ideal for shopping and weekend outings, and has been a traditional favorite with American folks of all ages. I've seen investment bankers on their way to work on Fridays with their boat bags filled with weekend getaway stuff, as well as carpenters who use them for lugging around their tools. Mine is old but still sturdy as ever. I got it in Maine during one summer vacation. However, those I gave as birthday or Christmas gifts in the past were ordered online from L.L. Bean.
The main reason I recommend this canvas bag as pasalubong to our local folks besides its functionality, is to also help promote it as a viable alternative to the ubiquitous plastic bags that seriously threaten our environment. Our fellow blogger, Toe, also posted an article about the perils posed by these plastic bags. She also made mention of the reusable canvas bags that her sister has created, BYOB - Bring Your Own Bag, as an anti-plastic advocacy and livelihood project.
Incidentally, for our fellow Pinoys who are living abroad and may not be planning to come home anytime soon, but are now starting to fill a couple of balikbayan boxes for their loved ones to be shipped and delivered in time for Christmas, may I suggest including one or two of these utilitarian, environment-friendly boat bags.
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Labels: gift idea, Life in New York, photography
posted by Señor Enrique at 9:11 AM
| 19 comments
Friday, September 28, 2007
A GIFT IDEA FROM VIGAN
First time I saw this green glass globe was in a quaint gift shop in Greenwich Village in downtown, New York City. There must be a hundred of them in various sizes that filled a huge basket (tiklis); all of them used, not new -- being sold from five to ten dollars each. When the shop owner told me they came from the Philippines, I started scratching my head wondering what they were used for. She added that her customers would buy a few to put in a nice basket as home decor.
A year later when I moved to Manila, I was pleasantly surprised when a cousin gave me two -- a large and a small one (the latter is featured in the photo above). She said she got them from Vigan, and that these glass globes were used as weights to fishing nets. Although she couldn't give me an exact per piece price (since she got them in bulk, a tiklis load), she claimed they were rather cheap.
Anyway, next time you guys visit Vigan, buy a few of these as gifts to friends, especially for those balikbayans. You can also get some nice woven baskets from Quiapo's sa ilalim ng tulay handicraft market.
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Labels: gift idea, life in Manila, photography
posted by Señor Enrique at 7:00 AM
| 30 comments
