The collaboration and celebration of Filipino craftsmanship culminated when ASUS partnered with Zarah Juan for a laptop turnover and specialized training for Filipino artisans along with a limited-edition Zen Tote
A participant from Bagobo Tagabawa Community listens to the activity instructions from the workshop facilitator that she needs to execute on an ASUS laptop.
ASUS put Filipino craftsmanship at the forefront during the recently ended Incredible Transformation: Future-ready Business Management Workshop for Filipino Artisans it was made possible by the ASUS and Zarah Juan partnership. With it, they provided seven Filipino artisan groups from various parts of the Philippines with specialized digital literacy training and laptop donations. Artisans from Lake Sebu, Davao City, Isabela Province, Paete, Bulacan, and Marikina City gathered in Ortigas Center, Pasig City, on March 9, 2023. To assist them in their business transformation and automate their regular business transactions, each community received an ASUS laptop.
The Zarah Juan Zen Tote is the perfect ASUS Zenbook S 13 OLED accessory.
Last September 2022, ASUS released the world’s lightest 13.3-inch 2.8K OLED laptop, the ASUS Zenbook S 13 OLED, in collaboration with social entrepreneur and fashion accessory designer Zarah Juan from the Philippines. ASUS’s push on human-centric design philosophy is realized in the Zarah Juan Zen Tote. The Zen Tote is the ideal companion for the Zenbook S 13 OLED since it is made in the nation by local artisan communities using materials that are easily accessible there.
The Zarah Juan brand is the designer’s solution for single-use bags. Her journey as a designer and an entrepreneur led her to strengthen the livelihood of Filipino artisans. It has now evolved into a brand known for its #ProudLocal pieces made by Filipinos from different parts of the country. Aside from environmental sustainability, Zarah Juan pushes for social sustainability and upholds cultural continuity by showcasing Filipino heritage.
ASUS Philippines Product Marketing Lead- Consumer PC Rachelle Lozares, ASUS Philippines Country Manager George Su, Zarah Juan President Christian Juan, Zarah Juan Creative Director Zarah Juan, and ASUS Philippines Marketing Manager Seiko Deura turned over seven laptops to the seven Filipino artisan communities on March 9, 2023.
ASUS Philippines Country Manager George Su shared, “Our philosophy has always been innovation that enhances users’ way of life. We hope the ASUS Vivobook 13 Slate OLED laptops our Filipino artisans received will empower them to work toward incredible success and gear them up for the international export stage. We believe they are vital in preserving and expanding the vibrant Filipino culture.”
“The ASUS and Zarah Juan partnership is one of a kind because there is an aligned vision to dig deeper 0into how we can work together in empowering our artisans. We are thankful to ASUS for providing them the right tools they need to be more competitive and ready to face the global market”, Zarah Juan Creative Director Zarah Juan also added.
Filipino artisans participated in a whole-day workshop to learn how technology can make their livelihood more efficient, faster, and all-in-all. They got to familiarize themselves with creating data sheets and encoding business information such as product costing, materials inventory, and admin forms, to name a few. They were also taught how to take proper care of their laptops to ensure they can maximize their usage and benefits for future generations.
A Bulacan Bag Maker member lists the materials needed to create a Zarah Juan bag on the ASUS Vivobook 13 Slate OLED.
T’Boli Community participant Jenalyn Ipil expressed her gratitude toward ASUS and Zarah Juan, “Matutulungan po yung community namin na ma-improve yung aming ginagawa at yung mga skills namin sa paghawak ng computer (This training will enhance the way we do business and improve our computer skills).”
Participants from different artisan communities listen to how they can optimize their business operations through technology.
ASUS is committed to providing a meaningful and sustainable way of living, not just in the innovative products they make but also through activities that nourish the Filipino society and environment. The ASUS x Zarah Juan collaboration proved to be a holistic campaign that raises product awareness and highlights cultural continuity by providing livelihood to Filipino artisans and equipping them with digital know-how to fulfill the digital demands of their existing and future clients. As ASUS takes one small step toward cultural and social sustainability, it hopes to inspire Filipinos to join the movement and make a change in their respective communities.
