Baskets, beauties and ballyhoo

Water hyacinths, the aquatic plants that grow in abundance in the Pasig River and other tributaries, are notorious for clogging drainage and pumping stations that are supposed to prevent floodings in Metro Manila during the rainy season. But the Villar Foundation (VF) changed the reputation of the plant by turning it into a source of livelihood for many Filipinos.

In 1992, former Senator Cynthia Villar and husband, former Senate president Manny Villar, formed the non-stock, non-profit organization that focuses on poverty reduction, livelihood development, and environmental stewardship. The couple saw that addressing the so-called waterlilies infesting the Zapote river system would help mitigate perennial flooding in parts of Las Piñas City.

However, instead of simply removing the waterlilies from the river, the VF organized its collection for use in making handicrafts and to support VF’s advocacy or promoting job creation. The initiative spawned the Villar Arts and Craft (VAC), the showroom of products made from dried waterlily stalks and workshop for waterlily weavers.

Sustainable livelihood

Jhayr Mendoza, 31, has changed his impression on waterlilies since becoming the head trainor and weaver at VAC in 2005.

“Before, I thought it was useless. Then I saw that it can be turned into basket and other handicrafts,” Mendoza tells Daily Tribune during the 18th Las Piñas City Waterlily Festival at the Villar Foundation Complex in Barangay Pulanglupa 1, Las Piñas City on 31 July 2025.

“It’s so unique and it also helped many people,” he adds.

Rosephine Daquigan, 49, of Bacoor, Cavite was encouraged by Mendoza to try waterlily weaving 10 years ago. She now earns up to P3,000 per week from making waterlily baskets during the peak season from August to December, when there are huge orders.

During the “Ber months,” 10,000 pieces of waterlily baskets are ordered by Vista Mall, the biggest customer of VAC, according to Daquigan.

The mall also buys the same number of other waterlily products such as bags, fans, mats, trays and utensil holders from VAC.

Up to 30 weavers from across the country, including Daquigan herself, make the order either from the VAC in Barangay Talon 2 or from their own homes.

Basket bonanza

Belonging to a family of weavers in Quezon, Mendoza has been making baskets and other handicrafts using traditional materials and vines since he was seven. For the past 20 years, he has been sharing the VF’s waterlily weaving techniques to other barangays in the country to create livelihood for many families.

Mendoza, with Daquigan, recently trained around 25 residents of Barangay Putatan, Muntinlupa City on waterlily weaving. The training lasted four days, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The two are also involved in production works at the VAC.

The making of waterlily handicrafts start with getting supplies of dried waterlily stalks from various villages along the Pasig River, according to Daquigan.

VAC buys each 20-inch, dried stalk for 25 centavos and one L300 van fully loaded with it are delivered to the center twice a week.

The process starts with making the metal frame. It is then wrapped with dried waterlily stalks. Next is putting wickers. Last is varnishing. It takes 50 to 70 stalks to make one basket. Each basket can be finished in two hours.

Aside from weavers, the VAC has two welders who make the metal frames for the baskets, two metal cutters and two varnishers.

The price range for various sizes of waterlily baskets is P150 to P700. Customers can directly order from the VAC at a minimum of 10 pieces per order.

Daquigan earns P80 for each basket she makes.

Waterlily Festival

Products that can be made using dried waterlily stalks are not limited to household items and corporate gifts. The VF also showcases other waterlily creations through its annual Las Piñas City Waterlily Festival. In the 18th and latest edition of the festival last week, all city barangays competed in the Miss Waterlily beauty pageant and Sayaw ng Kabataan Para sa Kalikasan dance contest that displayed costumes made from waterlilies.

While Mae Fercel Almalvez, a BS Psychology student and scholar of Southville International School and Colleges representing Barangay BF International-CAA, won the 2025 Miss Waterlily crown, first runner -up Alyanna Frances So of Talon 2 and second runner up Yesha Mariele Lazaro of Talon 3 and other contestants displayed equally stunning and intricately designed waterlily gowns.

Rubiegrace Diva representing Talon 1 won the best gown award and prize. Adjudged best designer was Lourdes Agacer.

Meanwhile, Synergy Dance Troupe of Barangay Talon 1 bested other contestants to be named grand champion in the dance competition. First runner up was the group from BF International-CAA and second runner up was from Barangay Pilar.

The best dance costume award went to Barangay BF International-CAA while the People’s Choice Award went to Barangay Manuyo Uno.

The Villar family watched the day-long spectacle and handed the awards to the winners. Senator Mark Villar, thanked all participants to the festival and assured that his parents environmental and livelihood advocacies through the VF will continue and get support from him and sibling, Senator Camille Villar, who now chairs the Senate Committee on Environment.