The (hand painted) bag backstory

 So I got all this old bags I wanted to discard or to sell with my rummage sale but an inspiration hit me. We have been doing the hand painting stuff however, I've already discarded all my paints and stuff since my cousin JP has gone to Dubai for work. I've seen painted bags by the celebrities heart Evangelista and even Kim Kardashian. 

Jp was my business partner when we were doing the fashion biz we tried to put up where we had a fashion show called Citta Bambina. It was a showcase of hand painted clothes we created. He was actually the designer and painter as well of these clothes and I was merely the styling consultant. Another partner would be our other cousin, Arlene who took up a a fashion course in SOFA in Manila. 

Jp being artistic is such a special individual and I say this lovingly - I mean he is very moody and full of attitude but fiercely loyal and opinionated. We grew up together I was older of course so I was a big sister to him. Even as a child  he showed that talented side of him and a leaning for fashion and clothes. He was playing with Cloths my mothers would use for sewing and sashay it like walking on a runway.  At a young age He would draw outrageous designs of women clothes inspired by fiestas and sagala of  our town and even take keen interest on religious images parades during Holy Week taking notes on the gown worn by these images. I remember losing my Barbie dolls only to find out he was the one who took them. And since I am older I just tried to understand his interests and not fight with him.  When I became a teenager and some boys would court me in the house he was very protective of me. He would always hover in the background and be with me. He would even Give  dagger look to those boys who was just trying to steal glances with me. I just find it funny remembering those days. 

Fast  forward  we are still thick as thieves up until the time he went to Dubai for work. He was there as an OFW. I helped him get loans in order for him to pay for his agency and stuff. When he get there he was upset because it wasn't the job he expected or at least what's in his contract. He would call us me and some of our other relatives to tell us to help him come back or go to the agency. I advised him to just stick around and be patient about the job since he is new in that place and that things will get better once he adjusted. He took this negatively for some reason. He didn't call me and even blocked me from he's social media account. I just tried to understand him that he's just probably upset about it. I have so much faith in him, I know how talented he is. I even told him that a lot of  Filipino  designers who are famous started in Dubai. The likes of Michael Cinco, Ezra santos,  Furne One established their careers in the Middle East country. I think with his talent and his love for fashion and with the right attitude he might one day become famous. But he shrugged all my advises and took it out against me. So all the time he was there we never spoken. I would sometimes ask his mom my aunt how he is. And I was glad that he is quite adjusted to his life there. And then a few weeks ago, I learned that he's back in town. He never go out much of the house ( we are neighbors) so we didn't get to see each other. Until one day, a week back I decided to just go and see him. With my aunts and brushes in hand I went to his house and looked for him. He went down and see me when his momCalled him out. It wasn't that awkward we just hugged and told him I needed him to paint my old bags. And just like that, he told me stories about his life there, his working attitude that never changed. His anecdotes about how many times he's been transferred assignment due to his disagreement either with a customer or with his bosses. I wanted to lecture him and remind him about changing his style with dealing with customers especially he is in another country but then I know better. So I just laughed Listened and and sometimes agree and comment to his stories. I guess I may not see it but his changes are known only to himself. When we travel we find a part of ourselves even if we leave behind a lot. He has that assertiveness that is inherent in him but he is also more appreciative of his mom. He is always comparing our culture to that of his host country but he is also more accepting of them and their culture. He said he's going back a month from now and I could see a more independent and fierce person in him. With that I am thankful. 

I am so happy to see the almost finished hand painted bag by JP my cousin...