F.A.R.M. Reaches more Baaoenos through KAIBA

F.A.R.M.ers attended the annual Family Day of KAIBA, an organization of Baaoenos based in Metro Manila, to introduce F.A.R.M. to more Baaoenos and spread its advocacy. The event was held at the Philam Homes Covered Courts, Barangay Philam Homes, EDSA, Quezon City.

KAIBA president Dino Badilla acknowledged our presence and encouraged the attendees to patronize F.A.R.M., as well as other ventures that provide employment and livelihood opportunities for Baaoenos. KAIBA officers also sold ILOVEBAAO souvenir T-shirts, to raise funds to buy school supplies for the young pupils of different barangays in Baao before the opening of classes.

F.A.R.M.ers Jet, Jane, Cherry and Adie posing with KAIBA president and Philippine youth ambassador, Dino Badilla

Sisters and F.A.R.M.ers Jane and Dione manning the F.A.R.M. booth

Former KAIBA President trying on her first F.A.R.M.

F.A.R.M.er Cherry picking nice pieces for her friend in the US

F.A.R.M. suits women of different ages. Mrs. Danding Bulalacao, who has collected 7 bracelets in all, loves buying F.A.R.M. whenever there's opportunity. She poses with niece Marielle, who just joined the F.A.R.M. craze.

Darn-brown F.A.RM. looking good on good-looking-F.A.R.M.er Adie

Highschool classmates showing their F.A.R.M. bracelets

We sold 75% of our stocks and it was worth the experience!

To the Women of F.A.R.M.

PHENOMENAL WOMAN

by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies

I'm not cute or built to suit a model's fashion size

But when I start to tell them

They think I'm telling lies.

I say It's in the reach of my arms

The span of my hips

The stride of my steps

The curl of my lips.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally

Phenomenal woman

That's me.

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please

And to a man

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees

Then they swarm around me

A hive of honey bees.

I say It's the fire in my eyes

And the flash of my teeth

The swing of my waist

And the joy in my feet.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally

Phenomenal woman

That's me.

Men themselves have wondered

What they see in me

They try so much

But they can't touch

My inner mystery.

When I try to show them

They say they still can't see.

I say It's in the arch of my back

The sun of my smile

The ride of my breasts

The grace of my style.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally

Phenomenal woman

That's me.

Now you understand

Just why my head's not bowed

I don't shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud

When you see me passing

It ought to make you proud.

I say It's in the click of my heels

The bend of my hair

The palm of my hand

The need for my care.

'Cause I'm a woman

Phenomenally

Phenomenal woman

That's me.

A tribute to the women of F.A.R.M.

What They Say about F.A.R.M. (5)

Heartwarming comments from our overseas F.A.R.M.ers:

"F.A.R.M. became a part of my eveyday life. Wearing F.A.R.M. makes me proud that Filipinos are very creative and fashionable. The Europeans I am working with always compliment how beautiful and fabulous the bracelets are, I tell them the bracelets are imported from the Philippines, plus the story of how they came to be! Keep up the good work and I am looking forward to the upcoming new designs of F.A.R.M."
- Jenny Samar, Dubai

"I'm an avid fan of F.A.R.M.! I love it so much, it suits me... I love all the styles, they are gorgeous! I always wear them and even shared some with my friends. I also encourage them to collect and pass to their friends, too!"
- Joy Samar, Dubai

"These F.A.R.M. bracelets, which are very stylish, give me a rewarding feeling - that by buying some pieces I have helped to improve the lives of young children in my home country. I salute the inventor of these bracelets for her ingenuity and her commitment to make a difference. Thanks to Sheryl Balilla, who launched the F.A.R.M. bracelets in Toronto. The May 23rd F.A.R.M. event was a successful one. Looking forward to another event and to the new F.A.R.M. designs! Mabuhay Baaoenos!"
- Leony Mates, Ontario, Canada

"Affordable, stylish, and made for a great cause. Keep up the good work."
- Jakie, Toronto, Canada

"I think that they are awesome bracelets, very unique and one of a kind.The best part about them is they are more than just a fashion statement but a statement about finding new and exciting ways to recycle, reduce, reuse, and support a small community. When people ask about them (which they will), I'd say F.A.R.M. actually has a story behind it, which is a lot more than most fashion accessories can say. Not to mention how interesting it is to think of where the buttons have been and what stories they themselves have, which unfortunately we probably will never know. All together a great product! Keep 'em coming!"
- Susan, Toronto, Canada

BrAG your F.A.R.M. (4)

This blog series is unprecedented. Our inbox is so full of your gorgeous purse+F.A.R.M. photos and we are loving it!

Pretty Rochelle is no ordinary girl. She shows off her black and red F.A.R.M.s with Burberrys and Prada - a proud F.A.R.M.-and-bag enthusiast, indeed!

Like the purses, F.A.R.M. has undeniably become a girl's bestfriend.

They're lovely with Johanna's Neverfull...

And go along well with Daphne's Burberry tote...

And perfect with Jessamyn's Guccis.

Fabulous!

Yes to Animal Testing?

We can't help it. In a friendly kinda way.

Because even pets love F.A.R.M.

Sheryl's precious Simi is so vain...

Hmm... F.A.R.M. as pet accessory? Not bad.

What's Cooking in Toronto?

Lots of homemade sushi, brownies, cassava cake and fruits to treat the guests on a three-hour date with F.A.R.M.!

Sisters Sheryl and Daphne Balilla said the simple house party at their charming place in 145 Marlee Avenue was a blast! "It was the first time for us to host an event so I was worried it wouldn't turn out well. But my friends loved the bracelets that I had to call the other guests to hurry up as the pieces were running out really fast!", recalls Sheryl.

Sheryl and her siblings (one is based in Hongkong) are ardent supporters of F.A.R.M. She has started beating the drum for this kind of event months before it actually happened. Now they all say that it's easy to convince people to buy F.A.R.M. as it is affordable, sassy, and of course it supports a noble cause.

Susan, who was one of the guests, said F.A.R.M is very creative and the fact that it's helping people in a way makes her very proud to wear it.

Sheryl said she was amazed that one even volunteered to help organize a bigger event to raise funds for the F.A.R.M. scholarship project. And some are willing to donate not just cash but buttons as well!

Besides the graceful hosts, Baaoeno-friends Myrian and Johanna came over to join in the fun and become certified F.A.R.M.ers, too!

To wrap it up, F.A.R.M. made another breakthrough: it empowered F.A.R.M.ers to initiate, innovate and make good things happen. With this, we are seeing ripples turn to waves. We are reaching more and more good-hearted people and we are gradually fulfilling our goal to help more meaningfully through F.A.R.M.

Watch out as we are launching F.A.R.M.'s scholarship project soon. We can't thank you enough Sheryl and Daphne for starting the fire. Let us all keep it burning!