''Water Lily's Products''

(Philippine Made)

Starting out as a backyard industry nearly a decade ago, the water lily handicraft

business  especially in Las Piñas City is booming as more people take notice of the wide range

of productsthat can be made out of the plant that grow in abundance even in urban waterways.

Some of these products were put on display at the 7th Water Lily Festival held on Thursday at

 Carnival Court, BF Resort Village, Las Piñas City, a brainchild of former Rep. Cynthia Villar that

promotes water lily-based livelihood projects.

These included baskets, trays, chests, bags, traditional bags (bayongs), hampers, cabinets,

 lamp shades of different shapes and sizes—and even a dining table complete with chairs.

The smaller items range from coasters to slippers.

But as an added demonstration of the plant’s artistic and commercial uses, the festival also

featured a beauty pageant wherein contestants donned gowns fashioned completely from dried

water lily stalks and leaves.

These are native products such as bags, slippers, baskets, trays, hats, decorative pieces

which are made of dried water lily. Water lilies are growing in abundance on the waters of

Taal Lake particularly during summer..

The locals harvest these water lilies to prevent crowding on the lake surface. So this

is another “treasure found in garbage” thing. They are able to save the lake and make

 money for a living. Brilliant.

These water lily products are done by the women’s group of Brgy. Balakilong

 (Kababaihan KALIPI)

 headed by Brgy. Captain Domingo Tenorio’s wife, Edna.

Edna shared that this endeavor was inspired by the Water Lily Livelihood Project of Taguig City.

She personally attended a seminar conducted in Taguig and then shared what she acquired

to her fellow kababaihan.