LEGAZPI CITY, Albay (PIA) –At the age of 11, Benidick Ogao of Daraga, Albay learned how to crochet . His first needlecraft work is a   beanie cap and a sling bag.

“I was so happy when I finished it. As I remember, I only finished it in one sitting. When I started working on the needle and yarn, I was motivated to finish it that I lost track of the time,” said Ogao, now 22 years old.

However, in 2023 he decided to revisit his hobby and created handmade Christmas gifts for his loved ones.

His simple yet thoughtful crocheted gifts were a hit among his friends and family, and he soon realized he could make a profit by selling them.

Ogao sold his craftwork in an online shop he simply named as, “Crochet by Ben.”

“My friends were my first clients. Later on, there were orders online. Some of them were gifts sent to their loved ones abroad,” he said.

As the orders continued to pour in, the owner of a crafting and selling business started to consider changing the business name to reflect his identity and brand as a male crafter and seller.

This is how 'Gantsilyo Guy' came to be as he adopted the moniker as his brand name, to set him apart as a male needlecrafter.

“One of my goals as male crocheter is to show that crocheting is not just for women, not just for grandmothers, it is for everyone.  Arts, like crocheting, has no gender,” he said.

Ben offers a wide range of products, from simple souvenirs like wallets, flowers and keychains, to customized dolls made according to his clients preferences.

As a recent cum laude graduate off Bicol University, he admits to being confused about whether to continue pursuing his craft or focus on finding a “real” job to support his family.

Despite having turned his passion into profit, Ogao was unsure whether he will be able to sustain the demand for added capital and labor.

These are common challenges faced by artists and creatives, who may have natural talent and creativity but lack financial and logistical support.

Unfortunately, some artists gave up on their craft and failed to reach their full potential as a result.

Hope for  artists and creatives

Unknown to many, the government can assist creative artists like Ogao as mandated under the Republic Act 11904 or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act.

Enacted in 2022, the hardly known law aims to promote and support the development of Philippine creative industries, said Fatima Empig, trade and industry development specialist and creative industries focal of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for Albay.

“Under RA 11904, creative industries are trades that produce cultural, artistic, and innovative goods and services originating in human creativity, skill, and talent, with the potential to create wealth and livelihood,” she said.

Ben’s crochet items range from P30.00 to P1,400, depending on the size and details of the items. For orders and queries, contact Ben in his personal account (Benedick Macasinag Ogao), Facebook page (Gantsilyo Guy) or Instagram (@gantsilyo_guy).

The creative industries are categorized into nine domains: audiovisual media, digital interactive media, creative services, design, publishing and print media, performing arts, visual arts, traditional cultural expressions, and cultural sites.

“I encourage Ben and our budding artists to continue being creative and to pursue their art with passion and love. The DTI can help them find the right market and network of people for them to prosper and eventually become successful,” Empig said.

In the province of Albay, a creative fair will be held in February. It aims to showcase the work of local artists and to bring together government agencies and partners who can help and give hope to local artists of all ages to reach their full potential. (PIA5/Albay)