Fun and Crafty Ways to Re-purpose Bookmarks
Story about Our Mother: Socorro Alviola Alejandro
In commemoration of Women's Month, we honor Socorro Alviola Alejandro, the woman behind papemelroti. Get to know her more about her through the recounting of treasured memories by her eldest daughter Patricia Alejandro Paterno.
Story about Our Mother
by Patricia Alejandro Paterno
My mom’s favorite quote was, “Yard by yard, life is hard. Inch by inch, it’s a cinch.” On October 1967, she took her first inch towards having a business of her own. We opened the Korben Gift Shop on the first floor of the apartment where we lived on Tomas Morato. Korben is from the names of my parents, Corit and Benny. My dad was working full-time and my mom liked the idea of having a business that would allow her to stay home with us, her children. Family always came first for my mom.
She didn’t have money, she didn’t have a grand ambition, she didn’t have a brilliant marketing strategy, she didn’t have a business degree, and she was shy and timid. What she did have was a love of making things with her hands, common sense, and good intuition. She was very industrious, and she had faith in herself and in God. She prayed to have a business. That was her initial capital. And so, in spite of all she didn’t have and the little that she did, our family was able to build a business with an identifiable brand.
She started with making stuffed toys, dolls in fancy dresses which she would display in the window, and Santa with a bag of gifts. There wasn’t anything else in the store - all her merchandise was in the display window, and the customers needed to ring the doorbell to get in.
She involved all of us siblings in the business. We molded and painted figurines, we made decoupage plaques, we assembled things to sell, and we were also the sales staff and wrapped the gifts. Eventually, we opened the first papemelroti on the second floor of Ali Mall, Cubao in the summer of 1976. The name started as a joke, from the syllables of our first names PAtsy, PEggy, MELdy, RObert and TIna. A writer interviewed us and our story came out in The Women’s Magazine - three full pages. That exposure brought many people to our shop. They would stand outside and say, “I know what that means!”
At the start when we would go to Divisoria or a wholesaler, my dad who was always game to help my mom would encourage her by saying, “Be brave, buy three!” They were great partners. My dad liked learning and starting things, and my mom was the one who would continue and sustain his ideas.
Now we have 21 shops, a building along Roces Avenue, and a factory in Bulacan. The many inches my mom took, brought us to where we are today.
My mom was an amazing woman, and I am sure your mom is too!
Sale Events for March 2023 🛒
3-3 March SALE Events on Lazada and Shopee
Warehouse Clearance EXTENDED!
Women's Wednesday Sale
3-DAY SALE
ONLINE SALE
⛪ Free Downloadable: Lent and Easter Symbols Font
Today, February 22nd, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season.
This is a wonderful time to reflect and give of oneself. It is a time to grow closer to God and to others. We want to share this FREE resource as a gift for you during this grace-filled 40-day period.
You may use these glyphs/dingbats for your commercial products as well! We do not require it but it would be very helpful if you link back to us.
This will be available only until the end of the Easter season so download it now! Feel free to share this resource with others!
Features:
50 characters
Individually hand-drawn images by papemelroti artist calej
Personal and Commercial use allowed
File formats: OTF and TTF
Size of files: 75 KB each
FREE to download for a limited time (until May 27, 2023)
Ideas for usage:
- Include the characters in your messages and e-mails. These are like emoji with an inspirational theme!
- Use as elements to make festive decor for your room or home
- Decorate your design for a poster or flyer
- Print out and glue it onto your Bible journal
- Use for your Lenten and Easter calendar
- Easter crafts
How to download:
1. Click on THIS LINK and DOWNLOAD the file to your computer.
2. Double-click to unzip the files. The folder with the 2 font files will appear.
3. Right-click on the font and select "Install Font". You may use either the OTF or TTF file (you only need to install one). After that, you will be able to select and use the font on the different apps on your computer.
If you enjoyed this FREEBIE, please let us know in the comments section below or drop us a message so we can make more fun resources for you!
Same Day Delivery with papemelroti Shops
💕FREE 💟 Valentine Sticker Pack
💌 Happy Valentine's day!
Just because you mean a lot to us, we created a freebie gift for you today.
Express your love and affection digitally with these FREE papemelroti Viber stickers! This will surely brighten up that special someone's day!
VIEW AND SHARE STICKER PACK HERE
The sticker pack features 23 sayings about love and life from the Words of Love papemelroti Collection.
It's easy to use! Just open your Viber app on your phone and scan the barcode on the screen. You can also share this pack on Twitter and Facebook using the link below the page.
We hope you have a day full of love and good things!
🛍️ Warehouse Clearance: Everything must go!
Viber / Same Day Delivery Hotline: (0917) 708 6430
The Kinder Collection
Free Gift Wrapping at papemelroti Ayala Malls Manila Bay! 🎁
5 Ways to have a Meaningful Year
It's a brand new year!
As we step into 2023, we may be filled with excitement and anticipation of what's ahead. We can have all sorts of plans and dreams that we hope to achieve in the coming year. Some of us have already made resolutions so we can have a new, improved version of ourselves!
Be grateful
For some, this time is the best opportunity to look back at the highlights of the past year and be grateful. Looking through our pictures or social media reminds us of the important moments that mark 2022. This past year has surely granted us many learnings, challenges, and blessings that help shape who we are today.
We all want this new year to be a special and meaningful one. Here are some tools to make it the best it can be!
Plan ahead
Live "Art"-fully
Stay on Track
Find your Advocacy
🎄10 Ways to Fill your Christmas with Love
3. The Kind Cabinet
Share your gifts with others!
At the entrance door of Van Gogh is Bipolar Restaurant is the Kind Cabinet (Ang Mabuting Aparador). As part of the Love Project, you may leave items inside the cabinet that are still useful for those in need to pick up.
Everyone is invited to share things such as clothing, books, toys, school materials, etc. (brand new or pre-loved). You may also get things from the Kind Wardrobe.
Van Gogh is Bipolar
inner courtyard of 154 Magunhawa St. Sikatuna Village, Q.C. The Philippines.
Website | Facebook
4. Show you Care from your Car
You don't have to look far to find someone in need. When you go out on errands or drive around, there are people who are hungry for a bite to eat. It would be good if you were able to stock up on food items in your bag or in your car. If there is enough time, strike up a friendly conversation with them so they know that you are giving from your heart.
5. Feed the Homeless
For many years now, the Karinderia of Mang Urot has been feeding people who live on the streets and have nowhere to go. Some travel from faraway cities just to be able to have that one meal for the day. You may want to volunteer, donate food or even sing Christmas carols for everyone to spread good cheer!
Karinderia ni Mang Urot
1 Dalisay St., West Triangle, Quezon City
6. Babysit for a Busy Parent
Young children are a handful and Christmas is an extra busy time so it would be a big help to a busy parent. You can give a break so a couple can have a date night or allow a single parent to recharge and rest while you watch over their children. You can have special activities with the child depending on how old they are. Whether it is working on a Christmas craft project they can give to their parent/s or just watching a cartoon, it will surely be a fun time for all.
7. Noche Buena
With inflation and the loss of jobs from the pandemic, many families will be struggling to make ends meet, let alone have someone special for Christmas. If you have the means to give, why not donate to organizations such as Puso ng Ama in Payatas, He Cares Mission, World Vision and the like. They support families in need. Just send them a message to inquire how you can volunteer or donate in cash or in kind.
Puso ng Ama Foundation, Payatas
Don Antonio Heights, Barangay Holy Spirit
Quezon City, 1127, Metro Manila, Philippines
+63 9052477082
He Cares Mission
9 Mines Street Bgy. Vasra, Quezon City, Philippines
(02) 928 8910
World Vision Philippines
389 Quezon Ave. cor. West 6th St.
West Triangle, Quezon City
83727777
8. Serve up a Surprise
The treat may be for your favorite manicurist, cook, childhood nanny, village security guard or plumber. Whoever you decide to surprise will feel so appreciated. They are always serving you so why not turn the tables on them? Treat them to a special meal and it will be a memory they will cherish for always.
9. Alone and Faraway
Most of us know someone who lives in a foreign country and who misses all the comforts of home. A way to make them feel less lonely is to organize an online event. Get the gang together and have games, singing or even dancing! You can even get creative with themes, hats or costumes. It will surely drive all the homesick blues away!
You can use Zoom, Facebook Messenger or Google Chat to do the online event!
10. DestiNasyon
Want to get more ideas? Join iVolunteer's online event DestiNasyon on December 3. You'll get to hear inspiring stories from volunteers from different groups and maybe you'll find the perfect way to express love for others this Christmas!
iVolunteer