So, you’ve
seen this picture. And siguro naiinis kayo sa mga pose kase pare-pareho lang
naman and somewhat overly redundant. But I hope you don’t turn your back on me
because of this. This photo is actually a teaser to this entry.
I’m sporting
my new priced accessory. Yes!I’m referring to that abaca bracelet around my
wrist. It’s a priced accessory not because of its cost, at Php50 it’s the
cheapest bracelet I’ve worn. But it’s more than just a bracelet and the value
attached to it is not at all cheap. It’s a Yabang Pinoy bracelet!
Yabang Pinoy
is an organization who advocates in uniting the
Filipinos through different events involving Filipino music, sports, travels, bazaars, etc.
But they are most known for that Yabang Pinoy bracelet. I learned about
them about 5years ago in a TV feature. It was also around that time when my Mom
was scheduled to visit her sister in New Jersey, so I thought yabang pinoy
bracelets would be a nice pasalubong to my cousins, it will give them an
identification more associated to their roots. So, I looked for yabang pinoy bracelets in the
malls but couldn’t find one. Eventually it slipped my head.
Moving
forward to last Friday; I went to Robinsons Galleria for a last minute
shopping. I needed to buy a pair of shoes to wear for a workmate’s wedding on Saturday
last week. And as my skill in memorizing directions doesn’t really work when
I’m in that mall, my feet took me to the sports boutique section of the mall.
It’s not really where I needed to be. So, pressed with time I stormed back and
forth that whole section looking for an exit.
But as I was
about to leave that section, a shop clustered among those sports boutiques
caught my attention. I noticed the items on display on their glass walls have
that Filipino theme on them. And then my eyes went to the direction of the
cashier counter of Capital G Urban Arts Center (C.A.L.Y.E), that’s the name of
the shop.
I found my
gaze on the trinkets on display at the counter and my eyes automatically
recognized their abaca merchandise, my Yabang Pinoy bracelet was among all the
other abaca merchandise on display. In nanosecond I was already at the counter
fitting those Yabang Pinoy bracelets on. It was a bonus that Jen the staff
manning the counter was very accommodating. She even invited me to their
anniversary it’s a weeklong celebration. Unfortunately I was unable to join any
of their events because of my schedule. But you might be interested to give
them a visit, on regular days they offer music and dance classes at their shop.
Now going back to Yabang Pinoy, I
don’t think a lot of us know them. I’ve been wearing this bracelet for a week
now and nobody even noticed it, nobody even asked what it is and why I’m
wearing abaca bracelet on my wrist. I have a new bangle I started to wear the
same time I started wearing my Yabang Pinoy bracelet and many a pair of eyes
noticed it because it’s classy, it’s pretty and it’s sophisticated; not just a
single time I was asked to take it off so they could fit it on. I want people
to look with the same admiration at my Yabang Pinoy bracelet. It deserves the
same admiring look because of it’s
unique character it’s made of the strongest natural fiber, it’s
simple but is an artistic piece on its own, and it carries in it a purpose; a
promise that each piece sold feeds a home, and every wristband worn is a step
closer to its goal of making Filipino's to be shouting proud Pinoys, sa isip,
sa salita, sa gawa. Isn’t it more admirable than a fancy glittering accessory?
It frustrates me...
Let’s not
turn a blind eye on this. Help me promote Yabang Pinoy to the world share this and
the Yabang Pinoy website with your friends. Like their site and become an
advocate. It’s about time that we become involved. Let us support all the
Filipinos who are taking part in nation-building. A better Philippines will
become easier to achieve if we take part in creating a change. I know we have
shown clear enough that we care about our country. But let’s try to show our
love a little bit more. May Yabang Ka! Ipakita Mo Pinoy!
Show the
world you’re proud to be Pinoy by wearing a Yabang Pinoy bracelet. You may
purchase them from the Yabang Pinoy Partner Stores.
Live
Life!
Mai
PS: The list
for the partner stores may not be updated anymore. PowerBooks in Mega Mall
doesn’t have it anymore but I’m told it’s available at PowerBooks Glorietta, Happy
Feet at Robinsons Galleria doesn’t have it too.
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