ABSTRACT

The Philippine handicraft industry establishes an essential part of the Filipino

heritage and cultural identity. It represents and expresses the local traditions, daily norms,
and the nation’s history. For this reason, the country is globally renowned for its
excellence in artistic expression. However, for Laguna’s handicraft industry namely the
woodcarving, embroidery, and wood whittling scenario is producing at a level far below
its potential as a cultural product. The advent of mass production questions the emphasis
of the handicraft industry on its creative process, competing against cheaper, low-grade
alternatives which contribute to the negligence of its importance to the Filipino cultural
identity.

The proposal’s goals are to recognize, promote and disseminate the creation of
handicrafts by providing a specialized learning institute. The designers have identified
objectives that can help the project achieve its goals.

 To provide a facility that will house the different types of crafting industries
that can be found native in Laguna.
 To showcase the artistry and uniqueness of the products of Laguna by
establishing a learning institution focusing more in the handicraft industry’s
creative process.
 To teach the younger generation the value of preserving their traditional arts
and how is it relevant in establishing a formal cultural identity by providing
workshops.
 To incorporate new market strategies by developing a trade center to allow
trade fairs, missions, and transactions in the handicraft industry.

The proposal would produce more skilled artisans that know the value of their
crafts, creating more artistic and unique products, and able to create livelihood by means
of the handicraft industry. SALIKHA aims to ensure the future of the local handicraft
industry as an industrial-economic powerhouse renowned both locally and internationally.