I still remember when I was small, about age 8, I was playing with a  Taka with my neighbor the colorful papier-mâché pieces of horses, angels, and dolls that we would see duringtown fiestas and local celebrations.

These fanciful figures originated in Paete, Laguna and are called Taka – a Filipino art form that make papier-mâché figures forms using hand-carved wooden molds.

During the 1970s and 1980s Taka entered the international market. There was a demand in Europeand North America for such angels and cherubs and even newer images of pop culture icons and even politicians.

Since that time, with changes in trends and designs, this once popular local decoration has fallen intodisuse, with a once-booming industry reduced to few workshops run by ageing craftsmen.

Mary Velmonte, a rising talent in the Philippine advertising industry with a great passion for locally grown creations. 

Takatak Project’s line-up gives an interesting and modern take on a beloved art form. The group’s horses, owls, giraffe, antlers, bikes, and bird cages are molded and brightly painted with angles and geometric inputs inspired by Filipino indigenous culture. Mary and her team ensure that amazing attention to detail is given to each Taka.

Velmonte’s  Taka  pieces  will  be  showcased  as  part  of  the  TESOROS  event  series  “Disenyo  atTalento,” which aims to promote local talents who define Filipino-ness through new and revitalized forms of  art.  The  first  artisan  featured  by  TESOROS through  “Disenyo  at  Talento”  was  anotherLaguna  based  creator:  corporate  publishing  executive  An  Mercado-Alcantara,  who  has  become renowned for her Casa San Pablo Clay Storytellers.

Mary and An are set to give a talk-around to guests invited from a variety of arts and cultural groups on  their  inspirations,  and  ideas,  on  how  to  innovate  on  traditional  Filipino  iconography.  Takatak Project’s stable of Taka animal figures and Casa San Pablo Clay Storytellers will be available at allTESOROS branches starting August 2015.

TESOROS, the provider of quality Philippine cultural treasures and handicrafts, aims to feature more creative talent through the ”Disenyo At Talento” Artisanal Talks. To learn more about and become involved with this initiative, or to gain more information about other inventive handicrafts and artwork specially  curated  by  TESOROS,  email  info@tesoros.ph or  tesoros@tesoros.ph,  visit http://tesoros.ph/, or  like  the  official  Facebook  page  of  TESOROS:https://www.facebook.com/tesoroshandicrafts?fref=ts. 

It’s a good thing Tesoro’s  brought back the culture of Taka in the Philippines.