Handpainted Bottles: i-ma ken pintura

Here is the company profile of i-ma ken pintura, creators of artistic handpainted bottles.

i-ma ken pintura (Ilocano for Hand and Paint) was born in 1991 as a hobby between Manny Gacayan and Joanne Cariaso, both natives of La Union. They started with their handpainted shirts that became a big hit then among the youth during the comeback of tie-dyed shirts. Their earnings eventually helped them finance their wedding in 1994.

Three years later, they experimented in handpainted bottles while living in Italy. Upon their return to the Philippines, they were even more encouraged to develop the craft seeing empty wine and spirits bottles uselessly stacked at the Cariaso's wine business warehouse. They believe they were making their move, although small, to preserve ecology. At first these were given as tokens or gifts to friends. Later, referrals came in and orders were made one after the other. In search for unique bottles, they found themselves in junk shops to buy them by the kilo. It took them two years to perfect the craft.

With their friends' encouragements, the hobby boomed into a small business. Soon they found themselves joining bazaars such as the famous "Panagbenga" or Flower Festival in Baguio City in February 2002.

The business took the back seat upon their family's relocation to Manila in 2003. In December 2004, however, Christmas gift-giving to colleagues at work proved their handpainted bottles to be unique and practical gifts. Positive feedback poured in and momentum picked-up once more.

In October 2005, their craft was approved by the American Women's' Club where bazaars are organized monthly at the World Trade Center. This gave the reason to formalize i-ma ken pintura enterprise as a business with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

In spite of their crafts' growing popularity, Manny and Joanne Gacayan continue to painstakingly handpaint each glassware on their own, ensuring its uniqueness and its excellent quality, while making their own statement to promote the "RE-USE, REDUCE, & RECYCLE" CAMPAIGN.

i-ma ken pintura enterprise
Unit 1141 Guadalupe BLISS, Phase 2, Bldg. 11, Makati City
E: ima_ken_pintura@yahoo.com
+63.2.882.3196
+63.920.914.5864
+63.918.935.2665

[ First posted on 02/14/2006 by Manuel Viloria ]