The Stuffed Toy Making Seminar
Workshop took place in the activity center
of the Atimonan Church, located in Atimonan, Quezon Province. About 30 participants, whose ages range from
12 to 71 (believe it or not, this is true! ), men and women from different parishes and barangays, attended the
(according to the participants) much awaited workshop.
The training proper commenced with a
welcome remark by Sister Shirley. Sister
Shirley later narrated to me during our lunch break that whenever there is an
event such as this, she’s the prime personage responsible for the accommodation
of the guests and the preparation of the venue.
Followed by my short introductory speech
with which I welcomed everyone to the wonderful world and lucrative craft of soft toy making, the participants later were grouped into
fives, with at least 1 to 2 male member ( there are a total of 6 male
participants, 5 in their early 20’s and
1 aged 71) to help facilitate in procuring their raw materials and manuals.
As expected all expressed their
enthusiasm especially when I recounted my early beginnings in soft toy making
and the many rewards I received since I started making toys for gifts and
souvenirs.
Our coordinators, Sister Pilita and Sister Wilma joined the class and
participated well in creating their projects.
The participants became excited when they
found out that THEIR FIRST PROJECT is the RED BIRD stuffed toy ! I later
announced that whichever group finishes first will receive a free PENGUIN
PATTERN!
Photo shoots
occurred while working and during rest periods with Kuya Greg and Kuya Rico as our volunteer photographers. Candid shots were taken with the participants
all-smiled pose with their toys and patterns, giggledly excited about their newly
found skill in toy making.
Specific topics were
discussed on our last day of training:
1.
Closing Stitch
2.
Face Sculpting
3.
Cleaning &
Trimming
4.
Costing and
Pricing
Then, the participants got busy with their
last project – the Teddy Bear. Fun and
excitements loomed the entire training room as one by one presents his/her
creation topped by Ms. Dolores Durana, again followed by four others, namely:
- 1.
Jegger
Martir
- 2.
Ricky
Almeyda
- 3.
Marylo Tabi
- 4.
Ofelia
Santidad
The total number
of participants were 28 plus 2 ( Sister Wilma and Sister Pilita, 30 all-in-all)
who happily accepted their Certificate
of Participation given by Lucena Diocesan Social Action Center, Inc.
(LUDISAC) Director, Rev. Msgr. Melecio V. Verastigue,
I’m so grateful to Sister Shirley, Father
Msgr. Boy, Kuya Rico, Kuya Jason (the Church Chef), Father Dennis, Sister
Pilita and Sister Wilma for their combined efforts in making this event
successful. Before we part ways, Msgr.
Boy reminded us the important role of Hapag Asa and commended Assisi
Development Foundation for coming up with this concept of Livelihood Training.
. Five promising individuals, namely Jegger
Martir, Ricky Almeyda, Dolores Durana, Leonora Veloso and Rufina Bacquial
expressed their willingness to pursue this kind of business and share this to
their co-parishers and barangay townfolks.
Ms. Lucy Quismundo, on the other hand,
texted me as I aboard my bus bound to Manila, that she’s practicing all the
three projects with alternative fabrics:
“
Marami pong salamat sa ibinahagi mo sa aming kaalaman. Naga practice po kami ng anak ko sa paggawa
ng teddy bear para maituro ko po dito sa amin.”
Mr. Ricky Almeyda said:
“ Pinaliit
ko pa po ang pattern ng Angry Bird para mas madali pong gawin, ituturo ko po
kasi sa aking inay at sa mga taga rito sa amin upang mayron kaming dagdag kita.”
Jegger Martir texted:
“
Ingat ka po sa pag uwi sir. I te
text po kita pag magpapabili ako ng mga materyales.
Magtuturo din po nito sa amin sa
Tayabas.”
Leonora Veloso texted:
“ Thank you very much po. Prayer is my special gift for you.”
I replied those who texted me with encouragement not to give up if they
encounter problems with stuffed toy making.
I promised that I’ll be meeting them again soon to continue to assist
them as I gave them additional pattern :
Panda, and promised to give more when I return.
God bless the Diocese of Lucena
and more power to LUDISAC, INC.!!! Being
with Quezonians certainly is another wonderful and an unforgettable
experience!!!