For the Love of Leyte
When Super Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest recorded cyclones in history, made landfall in the Philippines in November 2013, it killed about 6,000 and left millions of people without homes, jobs and means of income. The province of Leyte, located in the country’s Visayas region, was one of the worst hit.
Five years have passed since Haiyan wrought destruction, death and despair—yet there is still a lot to be done to help the residents and folk of Leyte and its towns rebuild their lives. That is what we have committed to do—to pool our talents, skills and passions to support the people of Leyte.
WHO ARE WE?
We are a collective of social entrepreneurs, artists and volunteers collaborating to support Leyte’s tourism industry and its people. In commemoration of the fifth anniversary of Haiyan, we are organizing FOR THE LOVE OF LEYTE: a non-profit, benefit concert.
FOR THE LOVE OF LEYTE
For the Love of Leyte will feature international headliners, popular OPM (Original Pilipino Music) bands, and homegrown Waray (Visayan) artists. The festival will celebrate the rebirth of the Leyte, and is a tribute to the many volunteers who took the time and effort to rebuild Leyte to where it is today. Our aim is to use music as a catalyst to increase social and economic growth in rural Philippines. All proceeds will be channeled to the sustainable rebuilding of the Leyte arts, culture and heritage sector.
Hosted on a sprawling farm, in Tacloban, the concert will feature two music stages and on-site camping. The festival will include local and international musicians alongside an immersive program of music, art, and other cultural workshops. Through the event, we hope to make a lasting impact:
Economically
By having the local population supply all goods and services and by creating an ARTS Co-op, we will plug local artisans into a global marketplace.
Culturally
By reviving and incorporating traditional performances, e.g. weaving mats & baskets, music and traditional dance.
Artistically
By providing support to training and development of careers in the arts.
OUR ECONOMIC IMPACT
The festival will bring in over USD$5million of economic activity for 1,000+ people ($5,000/year each of income into the local economy) through direct and indirect investments.
We expect this program to benefit the local tourist industry, crafts, agriculture and trade industries.
Our goal is not only to celebrate through music and arts but to connect these local artisans into a global, digital marketplace for trade. And with our partners, we are sure to be able to sustain that. 
WORKSHOPS
For the Love of Leyte will gather the creative community and offer market stalls, creative workshops & training and scholarships for local individuals and businesses.
Teather making // Tuba Painting // Banig weaving // Ceramic making + more
MARKETPLACE
Our Artisans will be trained to create goods that appeal to the global marketplace. In the aftermath of our first edition we'll be working alongside our partners to sustain the local artisans within the digital marketplace.
OUR 5 YEAR AMBITION:
To lift the daily wage of our artisans from BELOW poverty level (from $1.50 now) to $5/day and create a Universal basic income for this talented group. This allows our artisans to focus, hone and craft their skill as opposed to worrying about their most basic need: food!
OUR 5 YEAR AMBITION:
To lift the daily wage of our artisans from BELOW poverty level (from $1.50 now) to $5/day and create a Universal basic income for this talented group. This allows our artisans to focus, hone and craft their skill instead of worrying about their most basic need: food!
HOW WILL WE DO THAT?
By engaging the global fashion, furniture and art world and making them aware of the intricate craftsmanship that is famous in the Philippines.
The global interest would then spur economic growth, increase wages and therefore beckon the interest of a younger generation.
We will bring the world TO our artisans through the use of technology in various ways (supply chain, marketplace, P2P etc). Our global fashion partners will be responsible partners such as Stella McCartney and Tory Burch.
SUSTAINABLE AMBITION
We will create and replicate these creative hubs throughout the Philippines catering to the local craftsmanship known locally in each region. 
Your donation will help establish, revive and sustain the artistic communities that has been generationally defining for rural Philippines. So, donate now and help us use the arts & crafts industry to create economic income and growth for this dying craft.
Website
www.fortheloveofleyte.org
Fundraising team: For the Love of Leyte (3)
