After 26 years working in IBM in the US, I started the Benitez Collection in 2011, as a social enterprise to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for women in less advantaged villages in the Philippines and as a means of giving back to the country where I grew up.

Because these women are so poor, I had to think of a way that would not require a major investment on their part. The Philippines has a long standing tradition of papier mache dating back to the 1800s when the Philippines had a healthy trade with Mexico during the Spanish colonization era. Today, most of the folk art is reflected in large puppets used at festivals, masks and home accessories.

I decided to build upon this tradition but apply this in innovative ways. So I began by teaching 4 women in the village where my son builds handmade bamboo bikes for export (www.bambike.com). We salvage discarded newspapers, magazines and plastic from their garbage dump or from donations, and with a little bit of rice paste, nontoxic paint/waterseal, and a lot of polishing, we create attractive unique jewelry that look like rocks but are so light, people can’t believe that these are made of paper!

https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/benitezcollection