Made in Cebu | Tao Philippines

This city's name comes from sibu, meaning 'trade'. It's a hub for artistic talent and craftsmanship with many local brands also helping to build communities, preserve tradition and promote sustainability through their businesses.

Fredo Ando: weaving a path through adversity

Wilfredo 'Fredo' Ando has been using his hands to make a living for some 35 years. He first learned the craft of weaving back in 1980 at a factory in the Cebu city of Mandaue – sometimes known as the furniture capital of the Philippines. Tragedy struck in 1998 when he was a victim of a fire that caused severe burns to his arms and hands. However, when Fredo was discharged from hospital, he was determined not to allow the damage to his limbs affect his ability to pursue a livelihood. He started working out of his home and has spent the past quarter of a century doing small jobs for local design companies, which have taken his creations all over the country and even further afield. Fredo has also found a niche equipping local tricycles (tuk-tuks) with waterproof seating woven from colourful strands of plastic rattan. He estimates that over 4,000 tricycles now bear his remarkable handiwork.

Hlthcre+: refashioning activewear

Avid skateboarders and surfers, twins Ering and Ric Ricablanca grew up scouring secondhand stores for boardshorts. When their photography and videography business took a pause during the pandemic, they started Hlthcre+, producing small batches of high-quality boardshorts from fabric discarded by big-name brands in their hometown of Lapu-Lapu, on Cebu's Mactan island. The Hlthcre+ range now also includes jerseys, rash guards and more. @hlthcreofficial

Tuburan: beans with purpose

It's been 15 years since Aljun Diamante, mayor of the municipality of Tuburan, Cebu, came up with an alternative to the cutting down and burning of trees for charcoal as a livelihood for local farmers: plant coffee trees instead. And he used his own land as proof of his belief in the project. Today, he and his daughter, Jamaica, a coffee grader and roaster, work with over 2,000 farmers to create a 'farm to cup' experience at the Tuburan Café and Tuburan 360 locations. Their signature fine robusta coffee is an earthy blend with notes of cinnamon, honey and dark chocolate. @tuburancoffee

Driftwood Local Ent: custom wheels

Founded by Epos Falcone, who previously had a career in marketing international skateboard brands, Driftwood Local Ent. creates its signature skateboards from bamboo, making them to skaters' own specifications. "Boards bought from abroad are designed for larger feet and taller skaters," he says. "Driftwood's custom boards work better for precision downhill skateboarding." Located in the sleepy beachside town of Santander, at the southernmost tip of Cebu, the brand also produces apparel and items such as hammocks and bags. @driftwoodlocal

Interlace: fabric with soul

French artist Francis Dravigny fell in love with Cebu and its artisans more than 30 years ago: "I was just amazed by the quality of local weaving. I worked with weavers to import fabric to Europe, but I struggled to produce wide-enough bolts." That was all the prompt he needed to start a workshop equipped with looms that could meet the demands of the global market without sacrificing the spirit of handweaving. His Interlace Gallery creates custom orders for clients worldwide, while also supplying local designers and artists – including himself – with woven fabrics. @interlaceinteriortextiles

Epe Daño Ybañez: she sells seashells

Epifania 'Epe' Daño Ybañez moved from Olango Island to Mactan in 1974 and, after her fisherman husband taught her how to collect shells and molluscs, the couple started a business supplying shells and pearls. Epe brought her daughter and other family members into the business, but increasing scarcity led to bans on harvesting the most valuable types of shells, such as glory-of-the-sea cones, triton shells and mother of pearl. So the family pivoted. They still supply small batches of shells that are legal to harvest, but make their own shell crafts, creating different styles and sizes of shell packs and selling to exporters and local sellers. Contact: +63 916 426 9032

HoliCOW: crafting coalition

A hub for local arts and crafts, the HoliCOW Gallery-Store in Atúa Midtown is the place to find Visayan-made home decor and wearable pieces. Spearheaded by award-winning designers Debbie Palao and Ina Gaston, HoliCOW (short for Holistic Coalition of the Willing), focuses on sustainability, locality and the preservation of weaving traditions. Must-buy items include napkin rings, coasters and clothes upcycled from discarded materials. @holicowph

Recybags: bags for life

Part of a women's livelihood programme run by the Rise Above Foundation Cebu (RAFC), Recybags makes clever use of discarded rice and feed sacks, upcyling them into eye-catching totes, beach bags, pouches and more. The sacks are cut into strips and woven by hand into unique combinations, meaning no two RecyBags are ever the same. And by teaching weaving and management skills to mothers from poverty-stricken areas of Metro Cebu and Cebu province, RAFC is helping families achieve a sustainable means of income. @recybags.ph

House of Paddles: paddling for a cause

The House of Paddles Enterprise (HOPE) is on a mission: to raise funds to equip the award-winning Philippine Accessible Disability Services (PADS) dragonboat team with its own six-man outrigger canoe. A partnership between Island Buzz Philippines – a local manufacturer of outrigger canoes and paddles – and non-profit organisation PADS, HOPE produces a range of hand-painted pinewood paddles. Buying a paddle is a way of pledging support for the cause. @house_of_paddles_ent