Hello! Please introduce yourself.
Hi! I’m Cesca (ses-ka). Most of my friends call me Chem (ch as in chimes),
so that’s also me. :) I’m a daughter, a lover, a maker, a seller and, most of all,
I am the mother of Locano. I am also a co-host of Ladies, Wine & Design
Manila - a conversation series inspired by Jessica Walsh for ladies of all gender
experiences. It aims to foster female creativity through conversations about
creativity, business and life.
I like to ideate and do a lot of things, but I mostly run and take photos of
everything that fascinates me in and out of the city.
Locano’s story began after
Cesca Torrente found herself
lost in a stack of abel at a
family friend’s house in Vigan.
Tell us the story of Locano. How did it start?
Locano is about love for things beautifully made, love for discovery and
grounding, and love in relationships, especially that of mothers and daughters.
My mom is from Vigan, Ilocos Sur, but I grew up in Manila. When we were
kids, we would only visit Vigan during holidays of obligation, like Holy Week,
family reunions and funerals. As I grew older, I visited Vigan less and less. I
became a stranger to the city.
During a visit in January of 2015, we met with my mom’s friend. She
owned a weaving house in town, where they made all kinds of abel (Ilocano for
“weave”): rugs, kitchen towels, table runners and blankets. Curious, I tried out
the loom and ran my hands through every piece of fabric in that place. It felt
magical. I was lost in stacks of abel. I wondered why I never noticed this before.
It was right under my nose!
I left with some blankets and a couple of rugs. At first, I didn’t know what to do
with them, but I felt an excitement to start something - to tell others about it. The
frustration and burnout from working a full-time job at a bank kept me motivated.
I knew I had to start with a name, and in August, while
talking to a friend, “Locano” presented itself. I am Ilocano
and also a bit of a loca-loca. Locano Weave went live on
October 11, 2015. We turn four this 2019.
Who are your weavers, and who makes up Locano?
Locano is more like a family activity. Everyone is
involved and willing to help.
Our first partner was Timothy, my mom’s
childhood friend who runs a souvenir shop in Vigan.
We then met my aunt’s classmate, Wilma, who has
been weaving inabel (Ilocano for “woven”) for 40
years. She lives in Santa, the town before Vigan. We
also partner with Tita and PhilMarie from Bangar, La
Union. My brothers help with tech. I occasionally ask
help from my friends to model the blankets for me.
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