Joan Gantan, a third-year Information Technology student at Bicol University College of Science, takes pride in the distinctive art of crafting abaca scrunch, a skill inherited from her family’s traditional practice.
Originating from Guinobatan, Albay, Gantan passionately nurtures and makes abaca into abaca scrunch, creating a meaningful product. Whether for flower bouquets, walls, or school projects, the utilization of abaca scrunch enhances the possibility of decorating various items for a more aesthetically pleasing result.
According to Gantan, the tradition of crafting abaca scrunch has been passed down through generations in her family. She recalled that it started with her grandmother, or even earlier, continued with her family, and is now being upheld by her generation.
“Masaya po ako sa ginagawa ko kasi unang-una po, ito ay tradisyon ng aming pamilya. Habang tumatagal po itong ginagawa namin, nakikita po naming ang progress. Dati po, nakikigawa lang po kami sa kapitbahay namin, at tine-take po namin ito bilang tradisyon ng pamilya. Kaya sa pamilya po namin, may pinsan po ako at pamangkin na tinuturuan namin para malaman din po nila ang paggawa ng ganitong produktong,” she said.
The five-yard abaca scrunch is crafted in nearly three minutes when it is in one color, while the tri-color abaca scrunch takes longer because changing colors consumes more time than the plain version. This makes three colors more costly than the plain variety, which costs 65 pesos.
“Isang mahabang sukat po ng 5 yards, in 3 minutes o 4 sa isang mahabang mesa, kapag mainit na po lalabas na po kami para magsimula na paggawa. Sa isang araw po, may 40 pieces po kaming nagagawa pero kapag dire-diretso po ang paggawa, umaabot naman po sa 50 pataas na abaca scrunch,” Gantan elaborated.
Meanwhile, Gantan shared the challenges faced in their craft, aside from weather disruptions such as continuous rain and windy days. She also recalled the difficulties during the pandemic when they were unable to sell due to restrictions.
“Bukod po sa ulan, noong pandemya po, halos wala na po sa amin bumibili. Pero po, sa panahong iyon, naisipan rin po namin gamitin ang online platform na Shopee para magbenta kaya po may mga bumili naman po,” she said.
She also expressed her enthusiasm, mentioning that promoting the product on social media significantly boosted its sales. This experience has led her and her research groupmate to connect it with their ongoing research on systems for promoting local products, with a particular focus on abaca.
“Noong start po ng pandemya, lagi ko pong naiisip na tumulong sa pamilya ko dahil wala sa amin bumibili at natatambak lang siya, kaya naisipan ko po i-connect, why not try to make, po, since related din po ito sa course ko,” Gantan said.
When it comes to customer feedback, Gantan appreciates the positive comments of their customers and the reasons why they keep choosing their products.
“Yung product po namin, hindi po siya tulad ng sa iba, na lupay-pay po [soft]; yung sa amin po kasi, crunchy kaya po bagay po siyang pang-decorate kahit saan po,” Gantan added.
Balancing her studies with crafting an abaca scrunch thrills Gantan. She mentioned that the earnings she gets from making abaca scrunches contribute to some of her college expenses. Also, without hesitation, she continues this pursuit because it brings her joy.
“Araw-araw, kapag gumagawa ako ng abaca scrunch, masaya ako, kasi hindi boring at maglalatag ka din doon, at may times na yung kasama mo mag-latag kausap mo. Kaya, aside from tradition namin ito, it is something that makes me happy and also beneficial po sa amin,” Gantan said. | Alliah Jane Babila