In the quiet weaving communities of Basey, Samar, tradition and enterprise come together through the artistry of ticog weaving. For Eva Marie Adona-Yu, owner of Eva Marie Arts and Crafts, this tradition is more than heritage— it is a livelihood that sustains families and brings Filipino craftsmanship to broader markets. Rooted in Barangay Loyo, her enterprise produces handwoven ticog bags, banigs, mats, and other native products that reflect both culture and community. 

“Ticog grass is locally found in swampy areas and along rice fields, making it a sustainable and readily available resource,” Eva Marie shared. By harnessing this natural material, her business not only preserves a long‑standing craft but also promotes environmentally responsible production. More importantly, it creates livelihood opportunities for local residents who are directly involved in weaving and production, ensuring that the enterprise’s benefits extend throughout the community. 

Driven by a mission to deliver high-quality products for both local and international markets, Eva Marie Arts and Crafts has steadily built its reputation. However, like many micro and small enterprises, the business faced operational challenges that were not immediately apparent. Inefficiencies in daily processes and unnoticed wastage quietly affected productivity and overall performance. 

This changed when the company participated in the Leaner Management Training under the Productivity Toolbox of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-VIII (RTWPB-VIII). The intervention introduced practical strategies that enabled the enterprise to take a closer and more systematic look at its operations.  

“Before the training, we weren’t aware of the hidden wastages in our day-to-day operations,” Eva Marie recalled. 

Through the training, the business was able to identify and eliminate inefficiencies, streamline workflows, and simplify processes. 

Through the training, the business was able to identify and eliminate inefficiencies, streamline workflows, and simplify processes, resulting in improved productivity and faster turnaround times. “Through the Leaner Management Training conducted by RTWPB-VIII, we are able to increase our productivity by reducing our expenses through identifying and eliminating waste. We are able to simplify our processes and speed up operations that results in meeting the deadline ahead of time. Because of this, we are able to increase our sales and incentivize our workers,” Eva Marie added. 

What began as a traditional weaving enterprise evolved into a more competitive and resilient business, equipped with the tools to thrive in an increasingly dynamic market. 

Eva Marie’s story highlights how targeted productivity interventions can unlock the full potential of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), particularly those rooted in local industries. By combining tradition with innovation and sound management practices, enterprises like Eva Marie Arts and Crafts continue to grow sustainably while uplifting their communities.