Marjorie Gorospe
INQUIRER.net

PASAY CITY, Philippines — Who would have thought that one can turn driftwood into art.

Cebu Homecraft Consolidated Inc., originally situated in Cebu, has set up a branch in Pasay City to display works of art to potential exporters.

Founded 15 years ago, the company has been turning natural fibers into export products.

British expat James Webb, owner of Cebu Homecraft, said they only use natural products including driftwood — which others find useless.

However, Webb saw driftwood’s potential in making some money.

Now exporting to Japan, Germany, Holland, Spain and the United States, the company has been working with local and international designers to come up with unique designs.

The company has developed a variety of floral packaging products and accessories like curly Ting-Ting, Sinamay Ribbons and Rolls, Abaca Fibre Sheeting and Vines. Recently, it has created driftwood-based products, dyed Coco leaves, raffia in bundles and tagasi fibre sheet.

For years, Cebu Homecraft has also been engaged in doing research for the development of their products. Turning a drift vine into artistic candleholders and driftwood into a horse sculpture and furniture were among the results of their R&D.