Several pairs of handmade slippers with jute soles and denim straps are displayed on a light-colored surface. The slippers have a rustic, artisanal appearance, with frayed edges on the denim straps. Behind the slippers, various woven bags and other handcrafted items made from natural fibers are visible, suggesting a collection of eco-friendly or traditionally made products. The background is somewhat cluttered with more of these woven materials. The lighting is bright and even, focusing attention on the slippers and bags. Given the context of the previous images and the likely location, these could be Filipino-made crafts.

According to Steve Jobs, the only way to do great things is to love what you do.  This can be compared to the story of a 45-year-old woman named Maria Corazon Sagun from Victoria in the Province of Tarlac, who is deeply in love with arts and crafts.

Sometime in 2017, Cora went to the market to ask a friend for used burlap sacks to be used as nesting beds for her dog about to give birth.  With spare sacks on hand, she was reminded of the skills training she attended on making woven slippers using water hyacinth.

Cora carefully pulled the fibers of the burlap sacks apart, and braided them to create a pair of slippers.  Her mother was amazed by the result.  She encouraged her to craft some more and offered to pay her P100.00 per pair.

Eventually, through word of mouth, Cora’s friends, relatives, and neighbors started placing orders.

In 2018 and 2019, she explored the online platform and did market testing.  She continued to upcycle and transform burlap sacks into beautiful pairs of slippers.  With social media, she received orders from customers and gained three resellers.  She also received positive feedback online.

When she felt her business was starting to stabilize, Cora finally registered it in 2020 through the help of Negosyo Center Victoria.  She named it Abacalogy Handicrafts Trading which means science of comfort.

With the formalization of her business, she was able to access various programs and services provided by the government.

She received a livelihood kit from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) under the Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa Program, a microenterprise livelihood seeding and entrepreneurial development program that gives priority to areas affected by natural and other disasters, such as armed conflicts and medical emergencies.  The kit included fabrics, threads and yarns, crafting tools, and other raw materials she needed in making slippers.  With these, she was able to produce more quality products.

She was also a recipient of the product development under the One Town, One Product which supports the growth, development, and marketing of local communities’ goods and services.

She joined local trade fairs like Tarlac Provincial Trade Fair, Agri Trade Fair, which helped increase her market reach.

From P1,000 a month, she now earns P8,500 – P9,000 a month.  From 18 pairs of slippers a month, she now produces more than 30 pairs.  Aside from that, Cora added gift bags and wine bags to her offerings.

With meticulous craftmanship, unique charm, and quality products, Abacalogy Handicrafts Trading became a go-to for keepsake items especially among balikbayans, reaching various countries as far as Dubai, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Japan, and the United States of America.

Cora plans to continue what she started and to widen her knowledge in producing different designs and other decorative products like wall decors, bags, and many more.  She also aims to provide income opportunities to the women in their community through job generation. ♦

Date of Release: 16 April 2025

Business name: Abacalogy Handicrafts Trading
Name of owner: Jackielyn Mae Venzon Sagun
Contact number: 0926 457 2455
Email address:  Abacalogyhandicrafts@gmail.com
Social media pages/s: Abacalogy Handicrafts and Trading

Several pairs of handmade slippers with jute soles and denim straps are displayed on a light-colored surface. The slippers have a rustic, artisanal appearance, with frayed edges on the denim straps. Behind the slippers, various woven bags and other handcrafted items made from natural fibers are visible, suggesting a collection of eco-friendly or traditionally made products. The background is somewhat cluttered with more of these woven materials. The lighting is bright and even, focusing attention on the slippers and bags. Given the context of the previous images and the likely location, these could be Filipino-made crafts.
A pair of handmade slippers rests on a wooden surface. The slippers have thick soles made of tightly wound jute or a similar natural fiber. The straps are crafted from woven blue denim fabric, creating a crisscross pattern over the top of the foot. A white tag with black text is attached to one of the slippers with a piece of string. The slippers appear to be artisanal and eco-friendly. Given the likely origin based on the previous images, these could be Filipino-made.
A selfie-style shot shows a person wearing glasses and a light blue surgical mask, partially obscuring their face. They appear to be indoors, possibly in a shop or craft store, given the background. Behind them, various handmade macrame wall hangings in off-white or beige tones are displayed on a dark blue wall. To the right, a wooden shelf holds what seem to be more handcrafted items, including slippers with fluffy white tops. Below the shelf, other woven or textile products are visible. The overall impression is that the person is likely browsing or working in a store that sells artisanal, possibly Filipino-made, goods, considering the likely location.
Two individuals, likely women, wearing face masks, stand on either side of a sign that reads "TARLAC TRADE FAIR 2021". The sign lists numerous participants, including various food product manufacturers, handicraft businesses, and other enterprises. The women are smiling behind their masks and have one hand raised in a welcoming gesture towards the sign. The setting appears to be a brightly lit indoor space, possibly a mall or exhibition center, given the pillars and lighting fixtures visible in the background. The sign indicates a trade fair event that took place in Tarlac, likely in the Philippines. Based on the visual cues and the likely location, the individuals are likely Filipina.
A close-up shot features a pair of handmade slippers resting on a dark purple surface. The slippers have thick, textured soles made from tightly braided jute or a similar natural, coarse fiber. The upper part of each slipper is adorned with a wide, light gray fabric bow that has a subtle leaf-like pattern. At the center of each bow is a small, off-white decorative element resembling a flower or bead. The slippers have a rustic yet elegant appearance, suggesting they are handcrafted. Given the likely origin based on previous images, these could be Filipino-made.
A pair of handmade slippers is shown on a wooden surface. The slippers have thick soles made from tightly coiled jute or a similar natural fiber. The straps are made of blue denim fabric with visible stitching. The slippers have a simple, rustic design. Given the likely origin based on previous images and the current location, these could be Filipino-made.
A pair of handmade slippers is displayed on a light gray surface. The slippers have thick, textured soles made from tightly coiled jute or a similar natural fiber. The straps are made of a dark-colored fabric, possibly black denim, and are decorated with intricate white floral embroidery or lace-like patterns. Small white tags with numbers are attached to the soles of each slipper. The slippers appear to be artisanal and have a unique, decorative style. Given the likely origin based on previous images and the current location of Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines, these could be Filipino-made.
A pair of handmade slippers is presented on a light gray surface. The slippers feature thick soles made from tightly coiled jute or a similar natural, coarse fiber. Each slipper has two straps made of blue denim fabric. One strap is a simple band, while the other is wider and appears to be woven or braided, creating a textured pattern. The slippers have a rustic and artisanal look. Given the likely origin based on previous images and the current location of Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines, these could be Filipino-made.
A collection of numerous handmade slippers is densely arranged in a white plastic container. The slippers have thick soles made from tightly coiled jute or a similar natural, coarse fiber, and they feature simple white fabric straps. Some of the slippers also have small, fluffy white pom-poms attached to the front. The close arrangement suggests the slippers are being stored or are ready for sale. Given the likely origin based on previous images and the current location of Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines, these could be Filipino-made.
A retail display booth with a sign reading "otop.ph PHILIPPINES HUB" showcases various handcrafted items. The booth has a black metal frame resembling a stylized house. Hanging from the top are several light-colored tote bags with floral designs. Below, on shelves and tables made of light wood, are an assortment of slippers and other woven or textile products. The slippers feature different designs, some with floral patterns and others with simpler styles. In the background, a brick wall and draped red and white fabric decorations suggest a marketplace or trade fair setting. The "otop.ph PHILIPPINES HUB" sign indicates that the products are likely part of the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines program, which promotes local crafts and goods from different regions of the Philippines. Therefore, the items displayed are likely Filipino-made.

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