By Lara Charmaine Lagorra
Creativity goes beyond the ordinary, surpassing trends and conventional aesthetics to reveal a unique blend of identity and expression. Every creation has a soul. Every artist tells a story through their style that is as vibrant and unique as them.
Silliman University—-known for its excellence in academics, community work, and sportsmanship—is also a hub of creativity where passion sparks in entrepreneurial ventures. Here, artists turned their passions into crafts and thriving pop marts.
Timi Bags: Stitched with Love
Meet Athena Visitacion, a foreign affairs student and the creative genius behind “timi,” or as Athena always says, “Thanks, I made it!”
The brand encompasses a collection of handsewn, unique bags made from thrifted and upcycled clothes. Each bag is handcrafted from denim and unique fabrics that Athena finds around, with every piece carrying its own distinct personality and creative flair—whether it is designed for school, summer, or as an everyday accessory.
“I try to make the bags have personality or appeal to different styles. What makes the bag unique is that there is no exact duplicate. There is only one of each!,” she exclaims.
Her journey began during the pandemic, when she started making her own bags. With support from family and friends, her dedication paid off, leading to the launch of her first public collection at a solo exhibition in senior high where she studied arts and design.
Athena sets personal quotas and pauses her shop during busy academic periods, as balancing school and her business is challenging. She believes that finding balance and taking breaks is key to giving her best as both a student and a creativepreneur.
“It already fills my heart that people buy from me or visit my booth. [The] main feedback I have gotten from them [customers] is that [the] bags are unique. It is also a way to create something you no longer use,” she says.
Her greatest joy comes from customer appreciation for her unique bags—sweet comments that motivates her to keep going.
Sabulak: Bloomed with Warmth and Care
From the halls of the political science department, Jhierra “Ari” Regalia runs the iconic brand of Sabulak, born from a fusion of “sa bulak” [from the flower], perfectly reflecting the creativity that springs from the heart.
Her shop features signature pieces such as delicate, flower-shaped claw clips, loops and charms for bags, handmade clay charms for bracelets, and a newly introduced line of phone popsockets decorated with florals.
The shop’s roots trace back to Ari’s search for a creative outlet during a break from extracurricular commitments, where she turned a challenging experience into something greater.
“Sabulak isn’t just a [business] to me. It’s very close to my heart. It was never about income; it was born from my love of creativity and a desire to move forward in life rather than dwell on the past,” she explains.
She shares that her products stand out because of the labor care invested in every detail, especially the handcrafted packaging — each one individually cut, a tradition Ari treasures and refuses to compromise, even when offered partnerships and reseller deals.
Ari finds inspiration in late-night Pinterest browsing and the small, beautiful details of everyday life, with her friends contributing their hands and ideas, making the brand truly a “village” project.
“All I dream of for Sabulak is to continue its glory. To bloom—but not too much that customers can no longer reach it,” she says.
What makes Sabulak special are the relationships it builds. Ari treasures when customers choose her pieces for gifts or special occasions, inspiring her to put love into every order.
Delafranco: Where Vintage Meets Chic
A fashionista and information technology student, Shael Diadem Lofranco Ligalig, brings a twist to styling thrifted clothes through Delafranco, a curated clothing brand that upcycles forgotten fabrics and overlooked finds into timeless fashion pieces.
Her designs blend vintage charm with current fashion trends, drawing inspiration from her childhood fascination, brands like Miu Miu and Mirror Palais, and her love for romantic styles.
She carefully selects pieces from local ukay-ukays, transforming vintage finds into unique, wearable art. Each item is thoughtfully reimagined into stylish creations, reflecting her vision of how even the most overlooked clothing can become something truly timeless.
“I see the potential in a lot of secondhand clothing and I believe all clothes deserve a second chance at being loved,” she says.
What started as a simple effort to declutter her overflowing wardrobe soon grew into a thriving business when friends expressed interest in buying her remade clothes. Shael officially launched Delafranco on Instagram, marking her entry into the creative world of entrepreneurship.
Customer appreciation has been one of Shael’s greatest rewards—she finds joy in seeing patrons return to Delafranco, whether spotting her creations worn around the Silliman campus or seeing them featured on social media.
“I think my life’s purpose is to create for people, that’s why I’m so passionate about Delafranco. In a way, I’m already living out my fashion dreams by having this small business,” she says.
Eager to widen her impact, Shael dreams of expanding Delafranco into a large studio space teaming with designers and seamstresses, creating ethical job opportunities, and showcasing her work in a fashion show—hoping to present her designs beyond campus walls.
Bejeweled: A Girl’s Bestfriend
Studying physical therapy by day and designing sparkle by night, Martina Breanna Alcarez, together with her sister, Alexis Abigail Alcarez, co-founded Bejeweled, a homegrown charm bar where customers can customize and personalize their own jewelry.
Every piece, from chains to charms, is thoughtfully handpicked. These reflect the sisters’ shared love for all things “kikay, girly, artsy,” and their creative spirit they see thriving around the city.
Finding inspiration from the lively charm bars in Cebu and Manila, Martina and her sister brought the concept to Dumaguete, confident it would resonate with the city’s creative community.
Bejeweled then quickly became a space for both personal expression and connection. A place where every piece of jewelry tells a story.
“Every charm in our collection is thoughtfully handpicked by me and my sister, reflecting the pieces we love and believe others will fall in love with too,” Martina says.
Martina explains that their commitment to unique self-expression is matched by their dedication to quality, with most pieces crafted from tarnish-free, waterproof stainless steel.
“We believe every Bejeweled piece reflects your unique identity—your style, your personality, and everything that makes you, you. Many of our product ideas are inspired by our customers, and we truly value these connections,”
The most rewarding moments come from helping customers, often groups of friends, with matching friendship bracelets. Each charm piece symbolizes their stories and unique styles.
“Every interaction with our customers is special. We love helping them put together pieces they’ve hand-picked themselves, and seeing their smiles when they receive them is the best feeling.”
Looking ahead, Martina dreams of seeing Bejeweled become a widely recognized brand in the country, complete with a physical store and an even broader charm collection for all personalities.
Laida Fair: Trinkets and Identity
For Fairy Ann Adial, a fine arts student, art is both a personal journey and a shared experience. Her brand, Laida Fair—a playful reversal of her surname “Adial” combined with her nickname was born during the stillness of the pandemic, becoming a space where art and identity come together.
From polymer clay magnets and trinkets to stickers, hand-painted tote bags, keychains, fridge magnets, prints, and more—every piece is thoughtfully handmade, infused with her creativity and passion.
Beyond pop-up events within and outside Dumaguete, Fairy Ann also leads creative clay crafting workshops, teaching participants to make charms, magnets, coasters, and more. She shares her skills to inspire others and spark creativity in every attendee.
“I’m mainly inspired by the things I love, especially from my childhood, as well as the things my loved ones enjoy. Creating art is also my way of connecting with my inner child,” she says.
Fairy transformed her desire to pass the time and hone her painting skills into a vibrant passion project, initially creating hand-painted tote bags that found an eager audience on Instagram and Shopee.
As interest grew and custom requests poured in, she naturally branched out to making whimsical clay trinkets and charms. Each uniquely inspired by beloved childhood memories and the joys cherished by her and her loved ones.
“Some of my most heartwarming moments are when people attend events just to purchase from me, or when they say they’ve been following me for a while and are happy to finally buy something.”
With her growing success, Fairy Ann dreams of opening a physical art shop or clay studio for her to display her creations and hosting workshops.
Make Your Mark, Creatively
Launching a creative business can be daunting, but these student entrepreneurs remind us that it starts with courage, passion, and heart.
Ari advises building your brand with genuine passion and emphasizing the value of a supportive circle to help you once in a while in custom orders.
“Starting is scary, but delaying feels worse,” Shael shares, encouraging others to begin now and trust that things will fall into place.
Martina encourages confidence in your creativity, saying, “You don’t need to have everything figured out; you’ll learn along the way, and that experience is invaluable.”
Fairy Ann offers simple encouragement of not to be afraid to start small. “Show your work and just let people see your art.”
To start passionately, one must embrace imperfection, build support, and let your unique creativity shine.
The Art of Being Sillimanian
Every stitch, brushstroke, and handcrafted detail reflects the vibrant spirit of innovation and passion in the campus’s entrepreneurial community. From hand-crafted bags and floral clay charms to sustainable fashion and personalized jewelry, each creation reflects the maker’s story and spreads that unique spirit throughout the university.
Through their creativity, they leave lasting legacies that enrich both campus life and beyond, reminding us that authentic creativity rooted in heart and hard work can shape stories, inspire others, and spark meaningful change far beyond the ordinary.
What makes Silliman’s creative spirit unique is not the shops, stalls, or events—it’s the lasting legacies their work creates, reminding us that authentic creativity rooted in heart and hard work can shape stories, inspire others, and spark meaningful change far beyond the ordinary.
This is the true essence of being a Sillimanian—where creativity and connection come together to make artistry a lived experience and a shared celebration.
