A corporate executive with 25 years of experience as a sales and marketing expert in various multinational companies made the bold decision to take an early retirement. As if this significant career shift wasn’t bold enough, he took an even more daring step by embarking on a business venture centered around a product traditionally associated with women—hand painted native bags.
This is the story of a homegrown Bacolodnon social innovator and part-time educator. Many know him as the owner of D’Bayong Art, a manufacturer of handcrafted bayong bags.
While his creatively designed handcrafted bayong bags are undeniably eye-catching, what truly captured my interest when I first learned about D’Bayong Art was the story behind this social enterprise, which emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. One day, while under quarantine due to the strict health protocols to prevent the spread of the deadly virus, he decided to take out his brushes and paint. He began painting on a plain native bag made of pandan, creating a design featuring a steaming cup of coffee. He recorded a video of himself painting the bag, which had a wooden handle, and later uploaded it on Facebook. In the caption, he mentioned using black coffee to add more depth to his artwork.
Social media took care of the rest, setting his career path in motion after that Facebook post. The content sparked inquiries from people who found his creation unique, charming, and a great gift idea. When he first started accepting orders for handcrafted native bags, it was just him and his brother, with only 1 to 2 bags ordered monthly. That number later grew to 30 customized hand painted pandan bags each month.
After two months, as orders continued to increase, he brought in an additional artist to help manage the demand. However, it wasn’t just the growing demand that motivated him to take his newfound business seriously. The rising orders led him to seek out more local suppliers of pandan bags, which in turn opened his eyes to the economic and sustainability challenges faced by pandan weaving communities on Negros Island.
“A shrewd entrepreneur might see an opportunity to gain more by controlling the supply of raw materials or by forming his group of pandan weavers to ensure higher profits, especially given the challenges local weavers face in meeting the growing demand. However, I’m not in this just for profit. While I intend for my business to thrive, it’s equally important to me to uplift these local weavers. They do not only need livelihood opportunities but also the support necessary to enhance their skills and ensure sustainability,” said Zamora, who now receives orders for at least 300 handcrafted bags every month.
D’ Bayong Art now employs 7 local artists and collaborates with around 80 members of weaving communities in Negros, with Northern Negros serving as its primary source of pandan bags. Some of the bags are also sourced from Negros Oriental. The company is an indirect exporter, supplying clients in the United States and the Asia-Pacific markets with handcrafted bags.
His transition from a familiar, possibly high-powered corporate environment to the world of entrepreneurship—where the stakes are different, and the challenges are unique—reflects his passion for culture and art. This choice underscores the social enterprise advocate’s desire to break stereotypes and explore new markets.
“It is an advocacy-driven enterprise aimed at helping our beneficiaries achieve sustainable livelihoods while promoting artistry in local and global markets. I feel motivated when our homegrown brand and social enterprise gain recognition, not just locally but also globally. Negrenses and Ilonggos possess world-class craftsmanship and artistry,” he said.
D’Bayong Art will open two pop-up galleries outside Bacolod City this year: one in Iloilo and another in Cebu, representing the Visayas region.
“My dream is to see more pop-up galleries nationwide and abroad, so we can help more local artisans and weavers,” shared Zamora.
Zamora’s commitment to supporting local artisans and promoting sustainable, culturally rich products is evident in his work. His bold move signals a deeper values shift, prioritizing creativity, authenticity, and perhaps a more personal connection to his craft. This is a story of reinvention, where extensive experience is leveraged in a new and unconventional way, potentially opening new markets and redefining what success means in his life.
His journey exemplifies the power of embracing one’s passions and using them to make a difference. By intertwining his business acumen with a deep respect for culture and community, he is not just crafting products—he is weaving a new narrative for local artisans, inspiring others to follow a path that values creativity, sustainability, and meaningful impact.*
