127 LOCAL EMBROIDERERS, ‘MAGKAKALADO’ RECEIVE DOLE’S LIVELIHOOD STARTER KIT PACKAGES

The marks on their hand show decades of hard work, but for 74-year-old Virgilia De Leon and 57-year-old Criselda Caoayan, they also prove their town's long history and tradition of handmade embroidery.

Known as magkakalado, ‘Nay Virgilia of Barangay Cawit has been making kalado since she married her husband more than 40 years ago. Kalado is made by pulling strands of cloth, or what they call “pagbabakbak,” to create a square mesh that is hand-sewn into various designs.

Virgilia De Leon, a 74-year-old, showcases a sample of her kalado during the awarding of livelihood assistance.(Photo by Shaina Ariane Masangkay/ DOLE-BPO)

According to ‘Nay Virginia, the practice of making kalado has been passed on from generation to generation within their family, thus it has been one of their major sources of income.

On the other hand, ‘Nay Criselda of Barangay Gulod, Lemery, Batangas shared how the embroidery industry helped her to support her children’s needs and studies.

“Napagtapos ko po ang aking mga anak dahil sa pananahi at pagbuburda. Kahit di kalakihan ang kita ay nakakatulong po iyan sa amin sa pang-araw-araw naming gastos. Pampalipas oras din namin,” she said.

Both ‘Nay Virgilia and ‘Nay Criselda are among the 127 beneficiaries from Lemery and Taal, Batangas, who received an embroidery starter kit package through the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) last April 3 at Taal Convention Center.

“Naku malaking tulong po itong natanggap naming materyales para magamit na sa araw-araw naming pagkakalado,” De Leon said

DOLE provided various materials such as needles, pencils, scissors, tape measure, embroidery threads, tracing papers, embroidery hoop, storage box, and foldable table, among others, to a total of 82 embroiderers and 45 magkakalado.

Beneficiaries are checking the embroidery materials they received through the DILP.(Photo by Shaina Ariane Masangkay/ DOLE-BPO)

According to Labor and Employment Officer III and focal person of DILP, Ms. Salvacion Kalalo, the embroidery package will serve as a step for the beneficiaries to further expand their livelihood. 

Furthermore, Batangas Provincial Director Predelma M. Tan also highlighted the uniqueness of the embroidery and kalado industry in Batangas and the importance of preserving and promoting them.

Meanwhile, Ms. Kalalo then reminded the beneficiaries of future visits to monitor the status of their livelihood projects and ensure that the materials given were used efficiently.

-SHAINA ARIANE L. MASANGKAY