Foundation History

The earthquake that hit Baguio in 1990 with a Ritcher Scale of 8.0 reading left the community in a highly devastated state. The birth of the Winaca Foundation was a response to the perceived needs that even extensive government assistance cannot cope. The foundation then started with an "Adopt a Family Program" by providing food, medicines and aids to the different victims through the "Baguio Australia Assistance Sale" and the "Baguio, Isubli Tayo" initiatives.

The Foundation continued its community involvement in 1992 by entering into agreements with the Kalinga Development Foundation to develop a small weaving industry in Tinglayan, Kalinga-Apayao with the members of Luplupa Women's Association. It also entered into agreements with PLAN International to train poor women from Baguio City and Benguet as weavers and help them market their produce. The label "Village Connection" was chosen for their products.

In the same year (1992), Narda, the Foundation President provided consultancy services, seminars and skills training to the weavers of Antique, Ilocos, and Benguet. Also, teaching weaving on television was added to the Foundation's skills training outreach through the mass media.

In 1997, the Foundation trained 101 women and 8 men in weaving and market development in partnership with Danggay Foundation in Asingan, Pangasinan where looms and raw materials were provided, the benefits from which were meant to multiply among other women in the region.

The Foundation then had been continuing to operate due to the noted increase and pervasive use of chemical fertilizer and insecticide in agriculture and the weakening of the unique cultural foundation of the region. The efforts were narrowed down to environmental education specifically towards organic agricultural practices and cultural revitalization of unique local elements being slowly eroded by mass media.

In the early 2000's, the Foundation started to be involved in the planning stages of The Highland Organic Agriculture Resource and Training Center Project, The Handicraft Business Development Center Project, and The Bamboo Propagation and Management Project.

Recently, the Foundation was involved in the identification of Indigenous Philippine Fibers and Fibrous Plants in coordination with Nardas Handwoven Arts and Crafts. It conducted a Medical Mission for the Benguet residents. It also coordinated with the Emily Carr University in Vancouver, Canada for the involvement of its students in the designing and planning level of the Bamboo Village as it continues to be the consultant of the Winaca Eco-Cultural Village.

The most recent involvement of the Foundation is its partnership with the Cordillera Bamboo Development (CorBamDev) as a member and one of the Bamboo Advocates in the Cordilleras.