Lorielinda Bella R. Marte

Bukidnon, Philippines 

Lorielinda Bella Marte is the founder of Tagolwanen Women Weavers Association and its marketing arm, TWWA Enterprise. Lorie believes that Indigenous women can practice self-determination when provided with ample economic and learning opportunities. Her social enterprise, TWWA, aspires to preserve and promote the Bukidnon-Tagoloanen tradition of weaving, as well as the customs and traditions that surround it.  Under her leadership, TWWA has been awarded the Gawad Gabay award in 2018 by the National Commission for Culture and Arts for promoting the welfare of indigenous peoples and safeguarding indigenous culture. TWWA was also granted by the Department of Trade and Industry as Partner-Operator of the One Town One Product (OTOP) Hub in Malaybalay, Bukidnon to promote local products. Before starting her social enterprise, Lorie graduated with a degree in BS Business Administration with a major in Accounting from the Philippine School of Business Administration. Her experience working in the finance department of non-profit advocacy groups for indigenous peoples, women, and labor have also immensely helped her prepare for her social entrepreneur role.

 

Overview of products/services

The Tagolwanen Women Weavers Association is an organization that aims to revive the vanishing weaving tradition of Bukidnon-Tagoloanen, producing handmade, heart woven sodsod grass round and rectangukar mats (banig), table runners, placemats bag, baskets and lamps.

Lorielinda Bella R. Marte, Philippines