Balikbayan artist designs bags for the mobile lifestyle

MANILA, Philippines - In a welcome contradiction to the Filipino diaspora, a globetrotting Pinoy raised in Canada decided to come home and rediscover his roots. Innately enterprising, Mannix Peña found in Manila an abundance of opportunities to express and expand his creativity as a graphic artist.

“Someone once said that I was sort of like a global nomad. But something was calling me home,” says the mid-30s executive creative director of Ethos Creative Solutions. “The thing I love the most is the rich culture translated into food, arts and fashion. After weighing all the pros and cons, I came to realize the Philippines and Manila has so much to offer.”

The idea to venture into designing and manufacturing bags, which Peña wittily calls Bagabons, was a natural progression. Being a Filipino growing up in the West and relocating back to the East, it was tough for Peña to pinpoint exactly where home was. He felt like he became something of a vagabond. “Being able to create a design or material that goes beyond aesthetics made me place my identity and was somewhat instrumental in making me feel right at home,” Peña shares.

“As a graphic designer and creative director, clients always challenge my talent to reface a company’s identity and brand, because their consumers have changed or their lifestyle has varied.” Peña adds, “With Bagabons, I felt I was making it possible to use my graphic design abilities to provide highly functional and stylish reusable bags that addressed a certain lifestyle. Bagabons was my answer to a new era of a highly mobile way of life.”

Bagabons totes are convenient to use. Just store it in your luggage during trips and unfold as you need to use it, as an extra carryon or shopping bag. You can even store it in your car for impromptu shopping expeditions, grocery runs, or even in your office for when you need to carry those extra items home from work or school. It is ideal for active moms with items to carry around for their kids or babies. A stylish alternative to plastic bags, it can be used anywhere, everywhere, and is a great conversation piece.

Bagabons prints are simple yet sophisticated, colorful and versatile, made to complement a white T-shirt and jeans or even simple dresses. People who know of Bagabons love its unique designs, color and functionality. With a limited run of 300 pieces per design, a detachable tassel that adds to the character of the bag and a colorful, recyclable box makes it ideal for gift-giving to friends, family or colleagues.

“It is important for me to use materials that are reusable,” Pena explains. “The fabric used in Bagabons takes very well to the color designs printed on it, resulting in a product that is versatile. The material used is water-resistant, highly flexible as the bag keeps its structure even when it is full of items and can be easily folded back and stored.”

The bag, which costs P650 to P695 each, is perfect for busy, on-the-go working girls, guys and moms, friends who love shopping, or school kids with books. It’s also for those mindful of their lifestyle’s impact on the environment and want to be responsible without missing out on fashion and design trends.

Fast becoming an It bag, Bagabons can be found at Crossings/The Ramp; Jona and Leila at Glorietta; Moana at Rockwell; Nail Spa at Gamboa St., Makati, and Edsa Shangri-La Mall; Hobbes & Landes at the Podium, Shangri-La, Alabang, Mall of Asia, and Hobbes & Landes TriNoma; and Dash at Eastwood.

“We are committed to highly functional and stylish items for the mobile lifestyle,” Peña says. “And in everything we do we aim to send out a message of ‘reduce, reuse, re-love’!”

Visit www.bagabons.com or call 0916-221-9208 or 957-5563 for details.