Jeany Masilang never imagined that cacao leaves—once just something children played with or stepped on—would one day become the heart of her creative business.
Jeany works at the Negosyo Center in San Fernando, Camarines Sur. In 2018, she launched her own enterprise, J-Fab Arts and Crafts, focusing on home décor and furnishings made primarily from agas leaves, a well-known local material in her town.
Then, in July 2022, a new opportunity sprouted: cacao leaves.
“There was a training organized by the local government, funded by Ma’am Louise Mabulo. A trainer from Davao came to teach us how to properly fossilize cacao leaves,” Jeany recalls. “Since I work for the LGU, I got to join and learn. That’s really where everything began.”
After three months of trial and error, Jeany debuted her line of fossilized cacao leaf products at the Bishop Gainza Trade Fair in September 2022.
Her creations—desk lamps, hanging lamps, bags, wallets, and sling bags—are striking and unique.
“At first, I considered making bouquets, but I wanted to try something different. So I started making lamps, bags, and accessories instead. Depending on the design, lamps sell for around Php550 to Php2,500, and bags range from Php150 to Php1,500,” she shares.
To make her products, Jeany buys fossilized leaves from some of her former training classmates—helping them earn in the process. “The process is time-consuming. The leaves are cooked for five to eight hours, then rubbed carefully one by one,” she explains.
Giving New Life to Leaves: A Sustainable Livelihood
Behind these beautiful products lies a deeper purpose—for the environment and for people’s livelihoods.
“It’s eco-friendly. Cacao trees take three to five years before they start bearing fruit. While waiting, the leaves can still be put to good use. When farmers prune their trees, instead of throwing the leaves away, they can become something valuable,” Jeany says.
This approach benefits cacao farmers, too. “Some farmers trade their pruned leaves for cooked ones, which they then sell,” she adds.
“The process is sustainable because it makes use of what would otherwise be waste. Instead of cutting down trees or using harmful materials, we use leaves that farmers would normally discard,” she explains.
“This helps reduce waste and promotes a greener way of doing business. It’s a small step, but every little bit counts when it comes to caring for our planet.”
From Learner to Leader: Jeany’s Journey of Innovation
Jeany’s journey didn’t end with learning—she’s now a trainer herself, not just in Camarines Sur but also in other provinces like Northern Samar.
“My proudest moment was receiving awards for Most Innovative Product and Most Promising Product from the DTI,” she beams.
But she’s not stopping there. “I want to keep creating new products using cacao leaves while incorporating upcycled materials. I don’t want cacao leaves to ever disappear from my designs.”
For aspiring artisans, Jeany offers this advice: “Don’t let negative thinking hold you back. Keep trying new things. Don’t be afraid to explore.”
“You don’t have to look far for materials. There’s so much right around us—and if something’s missing, just think of a new design.”
With social media and the internet, marketing and finding inspiration have become easier. “Social media has been a huge help. And yes, it’s true—there really is money in leaves.”
From picking leaves as a child to turning them into income-generating works of art, Jeany says with pride: “I never thought I’d make money from leaves. But now, it’s real.”