CEBU, Philippines - Even during hard times, there’s always something good that comes out, such as the government, NGOs, charities, social enterprise providing support and opportunities to the community.
This is what Cebu-based Fabric Gallery is all about—giving back to the community.
ANTHILL Fabric Gallery opened its doors along Gorordo Avenue to the public last February 2010. It is considered as the first social enterprise in Cebu.
ANTHILL stands for Alternative Nest and Trading/Training Hub for Ingenious/ Indigenous Little Livelihood Seekers.
“It has always been my dream to start up a business that will reflect my interests and my passions—something that is very much reflective of my personality, too. I wanted to do business that had a deeper sense of direction, something that webs people and interlaces them together, something more meaningful, something that tells a story,” Anya Lim, the face behind ANTHILL Fabric Gallery.
ANTHILL supports various communities through its efforts of supporting the income generation avenues for rural communities, especially the ethnic minorities all over the country. In the process, cultures are preserved from the selling of materials made by the tribes and communities. These communities include Abra Weaving Community and Nanays sa Tisa (an urban community working on rag dolls and other application of fabric scraps).
ANTHILL also works with SMEs, NGOs, social enterprises, or communities such as Mangyan Tribe in Mindoro, Cordillera Tribes in Baguio, Yakan Tribe from Zamboanga.
“My upbringing, the love for culture and country was inculcated in me, my travel experiences and the stories I have witnessed doing field work have moved me to venture into something sustainable hence, a social enterprise. I wanted to create something different. I wanted to introduce something new to Cebu. I wanted to effect change in perception and attitude,” Lim explained.
Since its opening, high school students, young designers, senior fashion designers, career woman, and mothers are among the clientele of exhibits and auctions done by ANTHILL.
ANTHILL also gives support to create culture of fabric appreciation and fabric collection that will provide textile industry. It also provides venue for budding designers and young professionals and mini entrepreneurs to have a channel for business and marketing that will aid their brand identity. Likewise, it advocates fair trade and provide sustainable source of income for indigenous groups and rural communities with potential skills or products saleable to the market.
ANTHILL stands as a venue for Filipinos—old, young, rich and poor—to be together and help each other succeed and celebrate its fashion and fabrics.
ANTHILL, where different Filipino cultures meet style.