September 28
is Confucius Day though in some literature it is the 27th, 29th or the date that falls on the third Sunday of the month.
In the Filipino-Chinese school where I first taught, September 28 is our annual Teacher's Day (TD) celebration in honor of Confucius, a philosopher and esteemed educator. Yet around the globe, October 5 is observed to laud all teachers.
Last Sunday was TD in this institution where I served for 18 years. This was also the day when I scheduled my going to Hímbon, 39th Negros Trade Fair at SMX Aura. Maybe… yes, maybe subconsciously I commemorated this special event especially when all my three sons decided to join me.
Originally it was just my eldest who offered to drive and accompany me to SMX Convention Center in Taguig City. If not for his offer to treat us to a movie afterwards, the younger twin and the youngest might have not come with us, methinks. Ha!Ha!Ha! For them tradeshows are tedious except if these will be about cars or innovative gadgets. Well, I fully understood this Zoomers’ sentiment. On the other hand, they had accepted the fact that going to trade fairs has also been my means of diversion. So, my boys trailed behind while I checked the different booths with one major goal: to look for a modern Filipiniana dress.
I inquired but after hearing the high price of these piña-made garments, which I anticipated, I just contented myself by admiring the fabric and the craftmanship because the cost was not within my budget. *chuckles* Later, I ambled from one stand to another.
My saccadic eye movement seemed to be in sync with my fast heart rate as I saw the diverse range of Filipino-made products on display.
Pew-pew! Bzzz! Ping!
Gotcha! I went straight to this jewelry dummy where I sighted a uniquely designed necklace. I wore it, checked its aesthetic effect and paid for it, pronto! Php 850 ($14.61) was a fair value for this one-of-a-kind ornament. It screamed my character!
This arresting accessory showed the resourcefulness and ingenuity of Lumago, “a social enterprise in Dumaguete City Philippines, called Lumago Designs, that empowers women artisans by creating upcycled jewelry and home decor from recycled materials like paper, leather, and plastic.” Jansen Tan, the owner of Adorno where I bought this impressive piece, was gracious enough to answer all my queries and provide this important information.
With bouncy steps, I left Adorno. Guess what the next quest was? A pair of earrings that would complete my day’s fashion ensemble! *guffaws*
Doing so brought me to the other shops which immersed me in the rich and vibrant culture of Negros. You see, I did not fully experience this when I ran a marathon in Bacolod City on January 16, 2024. Ergo, being here in Hímbon was the continuation of my discovering more local items such as delicious foods (bought bukayo or sweetened coconut and macaroon tart), handmade fashion apparels, indigenous crafts, solid perfumes (got two for my son), home decors, etc. by the Negrenses. It completed my adventure.
Then…aha! I saw a table with these ethnic accessories. It took me a few seconds to locate the distinctive creation.
It's an earring made of sinamay, painted turquoise blue with wooden and fancy silver rocailles curled around it. I did not anymore haggle for its Php 650 ($11.17) price. Woo-hoo! Supreme mix achieved!
Initiating a conversation with the charming seller, I learned that her 93-year-old mother was the jewelry artist and she was presently going around the venue. I knew I had to meet Madam Emma Demmerr in person. And no matter how long it would take me to wait, I’d wait!
Seemingly eerie! Coming face to face with her was like seeing my future self! *gasps* Oh, I love this dignified woman at first sight! It felt like I’ve known her for years and we're bloodline.
I expressed my profuse admiration of her works and sincere wishes for good health. Hooray! I am now the owner and self-appointed jewelry model of her masterpiece which has no duplicate. *winks* After sharing a spontaneous laughter with Madam Demmerr and her daughter in our last photo, I bid them farewell.
The twins, who already went out of the expo area and waited for their youngest brother and me to finish, scanned my face to confirm what the novel encounter at Hímbon did to me. They saw the gleam! I was still babbling about Madam Demmer when we left SMX Aura and transferred to ATC (Alabang Town Center) for our dinner and movie date.
I might have had a limited material haul from the trade fair; however, the immaterial haul that I had couldn’t go unnoticed. Hímbon intensified my ethnic pride upon seeing these Tatak Pinoy (Proudly Filipino) creations anew. With this reinforced sense of identity, I remain consistent in patronizing our very own produce which is no longer surprising to those who grasp my essence.
On top of these, Hímbon became my sons’ avenue of manifesting their love and endearing support for my chosen channel of recreation since they knew that it would make me genuinely happy.
I am appreciative! Everything was well-timed on Confucius Day!
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