CinemaBravo

Filipino P-pop group BINI took home more than just copies of Senate Resolution No. 370 during their recent visit to the Senate, as Senator Bam Aquino also gifted the members handcrafted bags from local brand Rags2Riches.

The senator personally handed the bags to the “Nation’s Girl Group” ahead of the Senate ceremony recognizing BINI for becoming the first Filipino act to perform at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California.

The bags came from Rags2Riches’ Fruit Bag Series, with each BINI member receiving a unique fruit-inspired design from the collection.

Mikha received the Dalandan bag, while Jhoanna got the Lemon or Limon bag. Sheena was given the Rambutan bag, and Maloi received the Peach bag.

Meanwhile, Colet took home the Orange or Kahel bag, Gwen received the Watermelon or Pakwan bag, Aiah got the Pineapple bag, and Stacey was gifted the Cherry or Seresa bag.

Sen. Bam personally gave the bags, which came with personalized charms, together with Reese Fernandez Ruiz, co-founder and president of Rags2Riches.

Reese co-founded Rags2Riches together with Sen. Bam, providing community artisans and underserved communities with livelihood opportunities by transforming unwanted fabric into bags and other handcrafted products.

Rags2Riches was among the social enterprises Sen. Bam helped establish during his time as a social entrepreneur before entering public service.

In addition, Sen. Bam also co-founded Hapinoy, which empowers marginalized women micro-entrepreneurs who run small neighborhood sari-sari stores across the Philippines by providing them with microfinancing, business training, and new market opportunities.

A known micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) and consumer advocate, Sen. Bam authored and sponsored the Go Negosyo Act (Republic Act 10644) during his tenure as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship.

The law provides MSMEs with greater access to markets and financing, offers training and capacity-building programs, and simplifies the business registration process for entrepreneurs starting or expanding their ventures.