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UNMINDFUL of recent corporate gossip in Figarolandia, its founder and CEO Pacita “Chit” Juan was happily immersing herself in a three-week US State Department grant in August. With five other hand-picked Filipino women entrepreneurs of varying specializations, she felt this study tour that brought them from the seat of power in DC, to the cornfields of middle America in Kansas, was an affirmation of a next step she and friends had been discussing for sometime now.

Back in Manila in September, still groggy with jetlag, she quickly put into action the Echo (Environment and Community Hope Organization), and opened the Echostore at the Serendra, sharing space with Kape Isla of the Coffee Board that she co-chairs which carries Barako coffee from various sources.

Together with her partners Reena Francisco of the Figaro Foundation and Jeannie Javelosa of the Yuchengco Museum and various other persuasions, Chit had found a means of integrating all her various advocacies—Gifts & Graces Foundation, Peace and Equity Foundation and the newly-launched Coffee for Peace, and Arms-to-Farms programs in conflict areas of Basilan and North Cotabato.

We first heard of Echostore from entrepreneur Timmy Cruz, who had long pursued the organic lifestyle. A step inside brought one to the bosom of Mother Earth, accosted by product upon product of inventive, organic, recycled NGO and community-based creations from 20 communities and organizations all over the Philippines.

Tetrapack Zesto containers turned into bags and wine bottle holders from GK Sunshineville, Las Piñas, at P300 up; Filipinas Fair Trading Ventures’ colorful tea light holders, P160; Mascobado Sugar rocks, P53 and P90; and Federico organic wines, P295—all superbly packaged, filled the racks.

Rajo Laurel purses and yoga bags from scrap fabric by Payatas residents at P625 up; and our favorite Brown Label intricately woven magazine bags from CEAAT, Yabang Pinoy and Indie Act Manila from P50 up, are just a few that are available.

Organic soaps

There are also organic soaps, baskets from paper, throw pillow covers of abaca from Astorga of Davao, Virlane Foundation’s Messy Bessy odor absorbers and scrubs, paper baskets from the inmates of the Correctional, Durian pulp lamps and more arriving each day as word spread about Echostore.

Although Chit through Figaro has always pushed for an organic lifestyle, teaching the farmers how to plant coffee, organizing seminars and extolling the virtues of Barako, her new venture widens the scope of her reach, an extension of what they have been doing in Figaro the past 14 years.

“It is all about going back to our roots, of living simply,” Chit says, “of harnessing the resources of Mother Earth and the talents of our people into creating products for the world.”

Once again, Chit and partners are excited about the mentoring of indigenous peoples, which she does so well. The craft is there, she says. All we have to do is show them how to make the product reach world standards, how to sell the blouse with a story in it.

In Mindanao, hometown of two of her colleagues in the US State Department Women & Entrepreneurship Visitor Leadership Program, Chit with Reena and Jeannie are embarking on the Arms-to-Farms campaign: “Pag tinuruan mo na sila magtanim ng kape, hindi na sila hahawak ng armas.”

During the leadership training program, Chit met people selling Fair Trade Coffee, that stamp on the label that tells you the farmer got the fair price. Coffee is the biggest commodity that is fairly traded, she explains, and that brings us once again full circle.

E-mail the author at mailto:bibsycarballo@yahoo.com.

• Law firm welcomes new hotshot partners
• Pay attention when shopping
• Recycling old Christmas balls

• 10 reasons to watch the UAAP opening weekend
• Hope in uncertainty
• Wear your school spirit–but in style
• Let Hero tackle the swine flu panic
• I am no Michael Jackson fan
• PWU’s Renaissance woman marks milestone
• French delights
• Inner beauty
• Cervical cancer: ladies’ malady
• Cures for post-acne mark, dry feet, cellulite
• Concept of ‘greenovation’
• Designers inspired by Bombay Sapphire
• Dualtech’s few good men
• ‘Dinuguan’ and other food finds in Bulacan
• Boosting immune system through VCO
• Instant noodles are not balanced meals
• Nuvali up for int’l green certification
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• Emily's Post :  Is he ready for a relationship? / Emily A. Marcelo
• Purely Personal :  Order of Malta Philippines joins pilgrimage / Josephine Darang
• Lotus Pond - Bismark :  Inner beauty / S. Bismark
• Street Smart :  PWU’s Renaissance woman marks milestone / Mandy Navasero
• Medical Files :  Let Hero tackle the swine flu panic / Rafael Castillo, MD
• Discovery :  Hope in uncertainty / Massie Santos Ballon
• Without Batting An Eyelash :  Designers inspired by Bombay Sapphire / Maurice Arcache