Box Fresh: Introducing San Teodoro's Mini-Bayongs
All Harvey Alumisin had in mind when he made his first 'cahon' was a one-time-use bag for a very particular wedding. What he got was a promising line of bags, ready for the limelight.
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“This is how [Alumisin’s] first design—the cahon —was conceived: out of necessity. Under the brand San Teodoro, the community in Mindoro where the material is sourced from, Alumisin now has five designs in total, all inspired by everyday Filipino objects.”
— Nolisoli.ph
The big idea behind the cute bags
Only a few people know from the onset that San Teodoro bags are not actually made from bayong but from sturdy bulk nylon bags that come in many colors and patterns and are used in transporting big batches of crops and whatnot.
San Teodoro the brand comes from a municipality in Mindoro of the same name, where designer Harvey Alumisin’s family tends a farm where the bags are used. Created purely out of a whim, Alumisin’s first foray into designing his line of compact handbags was through a cubic purse that was eventually called the cahon.
Now spanning five designs in total with shapes reminiscent of found objects in the Filipino household (cahon, tinapay, puto, timba, and bahay kubo), San Teodoro bags are colorful and functional, all the while evoking a feeling of youthful playfulness.
But San Teodoro cannot be boxed as Alumisin is continually expanding the brand to become a lifestyle brand which will soon be called ST Apparel that will carry his designs from bags to accessories, and shoes.
Photo Credits to JP Talapian and Tricia GuevarraStories About San Teodoro bags
Handbag Edits: Playing Tetris with San Teodoro's Cahon bag
If you're not familiar with these bayong-inspired bags, they were created by Harvey Alumisin. Like many people, he has a corporate job and this passion project started out of the blue.
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Your trusty market bayong gets transformed into cute everyday bags
From an outsider's perspective, Alumisin's business is only in its infancy, something that he agrees with and revels in knowing that there is still room to grow.
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