F.A.R.M. in 2009

Before the Christmas season comes to an end, let us, from the BUTTON OF OUR HEARTS, thank ALL OF YOU for making F.A.R.M. shine in 2009. Thank you for buying and wearing F.A.R.M. and supporting our workers. Thank you for the raves (and occassional rants from our critics) and the encouraging words that were overflowing. Thank you for Buttons to Hope and for helping us dream and endeavor to send Baao youth to school. Thank you for religiously following the F.A.R.M. blog and anticipating new stories everyday. Thank you that we made it!

Accept these dainty little Christmas trees made of F.A.R.M. buttons. They are symbols of a very successful and fruitful year that passed.

F.A.R.M. button Christmas tree made in Baao, Camarines Sur, Philippines

F.A.R.M. button Christmas tree made in Monterey, California, USA

We hope to be bigger and better this year. And we will continue to count on YOU! Happy new year F.A.R.M.ers! Happy new year everyone!

Taste Matters!

The holiday rush has obviously taken over our lives the past few weeks. But this post is still a juicy, good news for all of us.

The BTH meet last December 10 was a huge treat for the F.A.R.M.ers in attendance, and a heads-up for F.A.R.M.ers, believers and supporters everywhere.

It wasn't the fine Chinese resto in Eastwood and its sumptuous serving of authentic cuisine that dominated the evening. It wasn't the red and green outfits and pretty purses that stood out.

It was the unbelievable, unsolicited amount of generosity, selflessness, love, and friendship that prevailed. For a few but critical reasons.

The level of commitment and enthusiasm from F.A.R.M.ers is on a constant upward trend. Pledges of interest, monetary or otherwise, continue to pour in.

A whopping P75,000.00 ($1,600.00) additional funds came true that evening making the Buttons to Hope fund increase signicantly to P307,807.75 ($6,549.00). Whoa! 6 t0 7 scholars get their chance to be in school this June!

It is amazing how one can give up her precious shopping money for others to have better lives. How one can spend priced time and effort to work hard and make a change.

The F.A.R.M.ers had a sneak preview of the 20-minute documentary on Buttons to Hope, which was conceptualized, shot, directed and edited by F.A.R.M.er and award-winning director Ray Defante Gibraltar.

The short film showcases the social dimensions of F.A.R.M. It speaks about its objective of educating and empowering Baao's youth through Buttons to Hope. One commented, "It was like I was watching a docu on CNN. Very heartwarming. Nicely done. Really inspiring." The film will be officially launched in 2010.

Finally, the F.A.R.M.ers 'artfully recycled' old, unused belongings and shared them with one another. Nothing else would be possible if there were no love and friendship in the first place. Look what F.A.R.M. has done. Beautiful friendship among beautiful people.

Thank you to lovely sisters Sandra and Sheila Sanchez for hosting this unforgettable Christmas event. We owe you big time!

So to end, what do you think makes these wonderful people stick together and think about others' welfare? F.A.R.M., good intentions, and yes, a whole lot of taste!

Happy holidays everyone!

A Button-Filled Christmas (2)

In the real sense of the phrase, indeed!

These girls, who tag themselves as "sisters in the hood" are the gurus of artful recycling.

And it is just fitting to say that they are the very first advocates of the principles behind F.A.R.M. - women empowerment, passion for the arts, love for the environment.

Tootsie, Bidibidi, Ritzie and Lilette (and Ann) have gone close and personal through the years. The interesting part is, they always celebrate Christmas together, with such an artful twist.

This year's all about buttons. Gold, vintage ones completed the set-up. And their black tops had chic button accents, too!

Two thumbs up to our seasoned F.A.R.M.ers! Your passion and friendship simply rock!

A Button-Filled Christmas

It was an early but very merry Christmas treat for Bicol-based F.A.R.M.ers when they partied non-stop under Naga's bright city lights on the 4th of December.

Italian for everyone's palate, zestful get-ups, really nice purses....

Their friendship has grown unbelievably stronger. You can see from the smiles and giggles.

From the excitement that's obviously overflowing.

But there is something that makes everything work rather well. That little ingredient is the key.

It's crystal clear.

F.A.R.M. it is! Merry Christmas! And have a button-filled one!

F.A.R.M. all Packed Up for the Holidays!

Like Santa's busy elves, our F.A.R.M. angels worked double time this month to weave and pack your F.A.R.M. bracelets for the holidays!

Our mother hen will be away for a while but she got us all covered. Send your orders to farmbaao@gmail.com!

There is a way we can look both fabulous and bounteous for so little a price.

Give a piece of F.A.R.M. Be beautiful. And help our angels' dreams come true.

Wrap a F.A.R.M. this Christmas!

F.A.R.M.er Jo Badong-Davis is giving away F.A.R.M. bracelets to friends this Christmas.

So thoughtful and sweet. Why don't you do the same? Email us for orders.

This will be F.A.R.M.'s first Christmas and we wanna make it memorable and fun. Post or send us nice photos of you and F.A.R.M. this season. Thanks and have a happy, button-filled holidays!

The Kindest Christmas Gift

Thinking of a unique and delightful gift you can give your loved ones this Christmas?

Consider getting them our Buttons-to-Hope line of F.A.R.M. bracelets!

They are really fantastic vintage finds...

By buying some, you don't just impress a friend. You spare some benevolence as portions of the sale will help send Baao's youth to school. And we bet nothing can be cooler than that!

We'll wrap up your goodwill with our 'green pouch', made from discarded fabric and embellished with a gold vintage button...

And if you are overflowing with kindness, gift them several pieces and pack them neatly together in a 'nito box', that's proudly Bikol-made.

Give to your friends and family this Christmas. And touch the button of their hearts.

For orders, email us at farmbaao@gmail.com