ALL THEY ASK IS A SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD: Help us sell the handiwork of the Tboli Artisans in New York!

SYODU! (Hello in Tboli)

I am reaching out with both excitement and a sense of urgency. This October, our group, The Dreamweaver Collective, has the opportunity to showcase the voices, artistry, and heritage of Indigenous Tboli artisans from Lake Sebu, Philippines, in New York City for YAMAN NYC 2025—a groundbreaking celebration of Philippine culture. Many of you have stood with us before to renovate the roof of the 50-year-old Tboli Elementary School. Now I invite you once again to be part of this journey.

The Tboli are renowned for their weaving of T’nalak cloth, intricate beadwork, and brass artistry—living traditions that have been lovingly passed down from one generation to the next. Their work is exquisite and priceless, yet their livelihoods remain fragile. Each artisan not only provides for their family, but also mentors the next generation, ensuring their culture survives with dignity and pride. Some of you may recall their artistry gaining global attention when Miss Universe Catriona Gray paid tribute by wearing a Tboli-inspired outfit.

This fall, the Dreamweaver Collective artisans’ creations have been invited to YAMAN NYC 2025. For them, this is more than an event—it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share their artistry with the world, to sell their handmade work, provide a livelihood, and to open doors for their families and community. They may not be able to attend in person, but their spirit and hard work will shine in every piece displayed. I could not stand idly by and let this YAMAN opportunity slip away.

Here’s how your support will help us get there:

• $15,000 → to buy their products, ship them to New York, and cover booth/display fees

• $5,000 → to bring one T’nalak weaver and one performer for cultural exchange

For me, this mission is deeply personal. Over 50 years ago, as a 21-year-old teacher at Santa Cruz Mission Elementary School in the remote mountains of Lake Sebu, I lived among the Tboli. I tried to learn their dialect, embraced their customs, and witnessed both their struggles and resilience. I still remember my twelve-year-old pupil, Sonja, begging me to stop her father from marrying her off before she graduated. My pleas failed—in the 1970s, young women had no voice. Times have changed for the better. Education has opened new possibilities, but those Sonja moments planted in me a lifelong drive to uplift Tboli women and help them preserve their culture.

My husband and I were married in Lake Sebu. He was a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines for over five years. We worked together to help market Tboli arts and crafts, applying for grants and later, even investing our life savings to bring their baskets and textiles to the U.S. Now, at 75, I continue this mission with our family— this time, supporting the sons, daughters, and grandchildren of the very artisans we once worked with in the 1970s.

My GoFundMe partner, Cecille, also carries this calling in her heart. Born in Lake Sebu, at the very hospital my husband helped build with funds from USAID, CARE, Catholic Relief Services, and others, Cecille’s childhood was steeped in Tboli songs, dances, and stories. Now based in New York, Cecille founded The Dreamweaver Collective in 2019, after winning Mrs. Philippines America and donating her prize money to start the nonprofit. Since then, she has worked tirelessly to connect South Cotabato artisans to global markets and cultural exchanges.

Together, we’ve seen what’s possible. Just two years ago, with the help of GoFundMe supporters, we raised funds to renovate the decrepit 50-year-old school in Lake Sebu, where I once taught. Today, the artisans ask for something even more essential: a sustainable livelihood that honors their heritage.

YAMAN NYC 2025 is the best opportunity for The Dreamweaver Collective. Participation at YAMAN is not just about selling Tboli crafts—it is about showing the world that every Tboli thread, bead, and design carries a story, a livelihood, and a legacy worth protecting.

With your support, we can make this dream a reality. Every donation—big or small—helps a family, uplifts a culture, and ensures these traditions endure for generations. By giving, you are not only supporting artisans—you are becoming part of their story.

From the mountains of Lake Sebu to the streets of New York—thank you for walking with us.