The College of Natural Sciences’ Chemistry Department in partnership with the Bahong Women’s Organization conducted a livelihood training in soap artistry and epoxy resin souvenirs. Held at the Bahong Barangay Hall, the specialized training provided participants with the chemical knowledge and creative tools to support local entrepreneurship. This is to bridge the gap between academic expertise and community livelihood.

Opening the program, Maura S. Garoy, President of the organization, expressed gratitude to the department for introducing techniques that empower local women to produce marketable goods.

Given Bahong’s status as a tourist destination, Garoy noted the high potential for these handmade products to thrive in local markets.

Chemistry Department Chairperson Yvonne D. Bolayo echoed this sentiment while providing an overview of the workshop’s goals.She explained that by applying fundamental chemistry concepts, participants could create high-end, profitable goods – like artisanal wedding souvenirs – turning scientific theory into a business reality.

Recalling a successful soap-making workshop held in March 2024, Bolayo emphasized that this partnership represents a continuous commitment to the community.

The initiative was made possible through the support of the Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers – Baguio Benguet Chapter (PIChE-BB), which sponsored the essential starting materials.

Leading the technical briefing, faculty member Samantha L. Tipayno detailed the safety protocols essential for handling the materials.

The discussion explained how raw materials – if mismanaged – can impact both health and the environment through volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and skin sensitization.

Participants were guided through the proper use of protective gear, including safety glasses, respirators, nitrile gloves, and aprons. Tipayno also emphasized the use of long sleeves, pants, and closed-toe shoes to provide skin coverage and minimize the risk of direct chemical contact.

She further highlighted the importance of a secure workspace setup to prevent accidents involving children and outlined critical first-aid responses.

To conclude the safety session, she demonstrated proper disposal methods to prevent soil and water contamination, followed by an interactive review game.

Faculty member Kate Laine E. Bacasen-Anitap then transitioned the audience into the hands-on glycerin soap workshop.

Participants watched as solid glycerin bases were melted at controlled temperature, ready to be customized with mica powders, liquid dyes, and aromatic essential oils.

In a nod to Bahong’s identity as the ‘Sunflower Capital of Benguet,’ Bacasen-Anitap demonstrated how to incorporate the town’s famous blooms within the soap itself. By embedding dried flowers into the melted glycerin, the participants turned basic hygiene products into botanical art pieces.

The participants chose their own molds, color and fragrance profiles, allowing for complete creative control.

The room buzzed with questions ranging from the process of flower drying, to the effects of using aluminum cookware, andto the suitability of the soaps for facial care.

Shifting focus to durable artistry, Mr. Peter Murphy D. Guitelen headed the workshop on epoxy resin souvenir production, beginning with a game to spark curiosity.

Guitelen detailed the technical materials and equipment – likeepoxy resin, hardener, UV lamp – andstressed the importance of conceptualizing designs before the resin-hardener mixing process begins.

The session witnessed high participant involvement, with many women bringing personalized items, such as photographs and dried flower petals, to cast into their work.

Trainees also asked practical questions regarding UV light curing times and reliable online shops to source raw materials.

The training concluded with a showcase featuring a diverse array of botanical soaps and personalized resin souvenirs.

The impact of the training was captured in the testimonial of participant Brenda Satur: “Siyak nga awan background ko ditoy, very interesting. From the first topic, ado ti naadal ko. Thank you very much. (I have no background in this craft but I found it to be very interesting. I learned a lot from the very first topic.)”

Representing the faculty, Elvira Bolinget expressed her appreciation to the Bahong community for their continued trust in the department’s extension programs.

The event was formalized with the awarding of a certificate of appreciation to the Bahong Women’s Organization, accepted by Maura S. Garoy.// Samantha Tipayno