 Jose is tailor of thirty years of experience specializing in making men suits and women's blouses. He started his career in Manila as a door to door salesman of toothpaste and shampoo until one day a friend proposed him to work as an assistant cutter when he lost his job. When he left Manila to live in Dasmarinas Cavite he put up his own tailor shop of made to order clothes. It is during this time he organized free sewing classes among the neighborhood to give an opportunity for them to make a living using second hand machines he assembled. It was this initiative that Capalongas took and develop for it sewing workshop.
Jose is somebody well respected and admired in the community of Dasmarinas for all the good things he initiated.
 Eva is a talented sewer that started her career in textile factories. Before she worked for Capalongas she had a very hard life: her husband being handicapped she needed to make a living and take care of the family all by herself. "I enjoy working here because I get to do the job I am good at and have a workplace very close to my family."
Vigie is one of the former students of Joe in his sewing class. Contrary to most of the other dressmaker in the workshop she never had any experience working in a textile factory. She have her own shop where she is making children clothes and rags out of salvaged and cut fabrics she buys from the market that she is selling in the neighborhood. Virgie hails from Mindanao and used to be a domestic helper in Saudi Arabia.
 Monina is the trimmer, buttoner and responsible for hand embroideries. She used to work as a high speed sewer in big textile factory in Manila until she was forced to move to Cavite due to health reasons of his husband. Monina and her family used to squat nomadically the different abandoned houses of the community until we proposed her a job in the workshop. “I am so glad to be a part of this family. I learn plenty of things and I hope someday I can have my own house and see my seven kids finished their studies and to see them have a better life than I had.”
 Norma is our very talented embroiderer. She is the youngest of the team but is well loved for the joy she brings in the workshop. She loves cooking and preparing food for the others. It is her that is responsible in giving the sewers the addiction to their favorite radio program “Dear Sir Larry” where life stories of listeners are read.
 Cris is the all around girl of the atelier. She is the errand girl, helps in the trimming, assists in quality control and many others. She is appreciated for her big heart.
 Rose is the over-all coordinator and in-charge of quality control. Without a doubt, it is her humor and talent in organizing is very essential in the smooth operation of the workshop.
The team is also supported by the help of the following people:
 Mary a buttoner also helps the team from time to time. She used to work in the textile factory but is now selling clothes through catalog for a famous brand in Philippines. When she has time she will definitely pass the workshop and give us a hand.
 Vangie a high-speed sewer is well appreciated by the team for her energy and enthusiasm. She is twice widowed and is obliged to entrust her children to his family because of her lack of resources. But despite the sad history of her life, she is very optimistic and gay. “ My biggest dream to travel around the world and to meet my third prince charming
 Bogs is an all around artist who helps us with the silkscreen designs and printing. He used to have an international career in the cinema as the artist and deco director for some Holywood movies shot in Philippines (Driving Force, DNA, etc.). He also spent long years working in China with lots of regret: not only for a miserable salary but more importantly for being far from his family.
|
