Proprietress preserves Mindoro heritage

A devoted mother has embarked on an entrepreneurial journey with a single, noble goal – to provide a brighter future for her children by sustaining their college education.

Andrea Benoya, or Te And to family, friends and clients, once worked as a saleslady at a local hardware store, before taking on a business opportunity that would not only change the life of her family but also give a source of livelihood to community members in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.

Her husband was a government employee at the time, and raising six children put a toll on their finances, she said.

“I was forced to look for a part-time job to augment our salaries, which were never enough since we have a big family. That was the time when I started making some accessories that I offered to friends and students. It started that way until I found the courage to formally set up a small business, complete with permits and documentations,” Benoya said.

Te And’s Handicrafts started five years after her employer joined the Agbiliwa Provincial Trade Fair, organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Benoya was impressed by the craftsmanship and design of art pieces sold at the trade fair. This gave her the determination to start a small handicraft business, herself.

Sparing P700 from her first paycheck, Benoya decided to try her hand at selling her own cross stitch artwork, and it wasn’t long before she ventured into accessory and souvenir-making such as key chains and embroidered wallets as an additional source of income.

Benoya’s journey took an inspiring turn when, during an outreach program organized by the church in her municipality, she came across the Mangyan tribe, her first exposure into a rich tribal heritage marked by their colorful apparels and accessories. Inspired by their artistry, she began creating Mangyan-inspired beaded accessories, fusing tradition with innovation.

Her signature creations use beads, seashells, coconut shells, Ramit- a handwoven textile made by the Mangyans and other native materials, skillfully woven into wearable works of art. Her creations were a fusion of contemporary style and traditional Mangyan aesthetics—a unique blend that instantly caught