The Habi Home Story: Celebrating Handcrafted Legacy and Ethical Craftsmanship

 

Hello, I’m Jennifer, but my friends call me JLo. I founded Habi Home Shop during the pandemic, driven by the need to keep our small factory in Makati running when export orders were put on hold or cancelled due to the COVID-19 lockdowns. It was a time of uncertainty, but it became a turning point in our journey to bring sustainable home decor and handcrafted home storage into homes across the world.

Our family’s history in the handmade craft industry spans three generations, beginning with my grandfather, Alex. At just 14 years old and an orphan, he learned the art of weaving rattan furniture out of sheer necessity. Despite his small stature, he became skilled at weaving the outer skin of rattan into Solihiya mats—beautiful, functional pieces used for chair backs and seats long before plastic and mass-produced furniture took over.

My grandmother, raised by a single mother, also played a crucial role in their livelihood. She twisted reeds into ropes for basket weaving, demonstrating the same ingenuity and resilience that defined their work. Their legacy of resourcefulness and craftsmanship laid the foundation for what Habi Home is today.

As a third-generation member of my family in the business of weaving with natural plant fibers, I am committed to continuing this legacy. At Habi Home, we create thoughtfully produced, handmade home decor and storage solutions that celebrate the beauty of natural materials. We offer a sustainable alternative to plastic and wood products, which are often not eco-friendly.

Our mission goes beyond just creating beautiful products. We aim to inspire a return to using organic, non-toxic, and biodegradable materials, encouraging a more sustainable way of living in our homes. By making small, mindful choices in our everyday lives, we can all contribute to a greener, more harmonious world.

Thank you for supporting handmade, local, and sustainable craftsmanship with Habi Home. Together, we can celebrate the timeless beauty of handcrafted goods and the hardworking artisans behind them, making a lasting, positive impact on our planet and communities.

With love,
Jennifer Lo