 |
| Cris receives her award from First Lady Liza A. Marcos and other VIPs (photo by EmEm Macatiag of MM Gallery) |
An indefatigable domestic worker and community leader recently brought pride to the Filipino community in Hong Kong by copping one of 19 “Aspiring Filipina Entrepreneurs Awards 2024” awards handed out by Go Negosyo on March 9 in celebration of International Women’s Month.
Cristina Cayat who was honoured for her Baguio-based indigenous
clothing business called Inabel Tailoring,
received her award from no less than First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, assisted
by Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual, Go Negosyo Founder Joey
Concepcion and United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson.
 |
| TAWAG NA! |
The 19 winners were picked from about 700 other women
entrepreneurs all over the country. They were presented with their trophies at this
year’s Women Summit, which celebrates women’s achievements and contributions to
society and the economy in various fields and industries.
Cris, who has been working in Hong Kong for nearly
three decades, said she was overwhelmed by the award, as being shortlisted was, to her, already an accomplishment.
“Being recognized as one of the aspiring women
entrepreneurs for 2024 was a huge surprise and honor,” said Cris. “It gives me
positive energy and hope for my business to grow.”
 |
| One of Cris' designs - her dream is to dress women in contemporary Cordillera fashion |
Cris was cited during the awards for the “sustainable and responsible manufacturing process” of the business she started in her hometown of Lucnab, Baguio, during one of her trips back home in 2015.
Initially, Inabel was just a place where Cris’ friends,
mostly fellow Filipinas in Hong Kong, could get some native outfits made to
order. Cris took limited orders for small items like bags, wraparound skirts
and jewelry made of ethnic fabrics and precious stones which she designed, sewed
or assembled by herself.
But even then, she said, her dream was to dress and
make her fellow Cordillerans proud, by designing contemporary outfits for them
using their native fabrics and materials.
 |
| PINDUTIN DITO |
After joining the Baguio Craft Fair in 2018, she
said she was struck by how relevant and unique her creations were. “I was
different from the local vendors,” she said.
With help from family members, especially her
younger sister Vicky who was herself a former overseas Filipino worker in Hong
Kong and Singapore, Cris expanded Inabel. They began buying more fabric, taking
more orders from customers, and joining trade fairs.
In the near future, Cris plans to go home for good
so she could concentrate more on the business and her passion for promoting
Cordillera arts and fashion.
 |
| Cris with Vicky at Inabel's workshop in Baguio City |
But for now, she is still busy co-organizing
projects for Guhit Kulay, an all-migrants art group she founded in 2017. Apart
from holding art exhibits in Hong Kong, the group has collaborated with foreign
filmmakers in producing a documentary that was shown in various countries, and
continues to hold free art workshops for their fellow migrant workers.
Cris, who started her community involvement as a
contributor to The SUN, also founded Rhapsody Hong Kong, which promoted reproductive
health care among migrant workers.
The idea of applying for the Go Negosyo award was
brought up with her by a 2022 Inspiring OFW awardee, Elpedia Abel, who thought she had what
it took to get the same recognition.
Cris was reluctant at first, but one week before the
application deadline, decided to give it her best shot. On February 23 she received
an email saying that her business was
shortlisted, and she was overjoyed, thinking that it was enough recognition for
her years of hard work.
But just a
few days later, or on March 5, she received another email, informing her
that she made it to the final list, and asked if she could make it to the
awards rites at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay, which were a scant four days away.
Of course, she went.
The awardees were led by Robina Gokongwei-Pe, who
received the Woman of Legacy Award.
Also awarded were Allyn Joy Cabarles of Kaulayaw
Coffee, Annette Patdu of Diaspora Farm, Camille Escudero of Lily of the Valley,
Czarina Sevilla of Avocadoria PH, Emilyn Kabor of Jireh Food Products, Katrina
Blanca de Leon of Genteel Home, Maria Rafaella Louise Sol of Nuevo Ystilo and
Marica Peñalosa of Ate Rica’s Bacsilog.
Marie Joyce Co Yu of True Blends & Coffee,
Frances Uma Espinosa of The Original Paeng’s, Jonnah Garcia of Punique
Handicrafts, Marjorie Barcelona of Healthy Lemon, Leah Marie Ayeng of Prestige
Paper Products, Anna Melissa Nava of 1Export Trade and Services, Anna Magalona
of But First Coffee and Denise Caranto of Konu also received recognition.
Prominent women from various fields also graced the
event, which was co-presented by celebrity host Gretchen Ho and actress Iza Calzado-Wintle.
 |
| PADALA NA! |
