I Love Santa Cruz Collective began with the simple belief that:
PEOPLE WILL WANT TO OWN A PIECE OF MARINDUQUE'S MORIONES COLORFUL CULTURAL HERITAGE
if only it were more accessible and affordable
this was the confident and visionary idea of Santa Cruz Municipal Mayor Marisa Red-Martinez who would subsequently challenge our town's local artists to design iconic renditions of Marinduque's Moryon/Moriones imagery and paint them on fashion apparel
this was how we were conceived
as a product of the months-long Santa Cruz ArtVentures Design Camp and Competition during which our young, aspiring and emerging Santa Cruz artists participated in workshops and design sprints - competing with each other to produce iconic depictions of the Moryon/Morion and handpainting them on denim, canvas bags, board shorts, bucket hats, and other fashion merchandise
As we began marketing and selling our products, we discovered that we couldn't simply present them as art or fashion pieces.
Because no matter how well-crafted or unique, our products must resonate first with the buyer's sense of connection to the origin of our visuals. Otherwise, they become mere souvenirs instead of cherished works of art or symbols of a lifestyle brand.
We recognized the need to share the stories, the spaces, the places, and the events woven into the fabric of our Moriones visuals. We need our buyers to forge a connection with Santa Cruz, to understand the rich cultural heritage that inspires our creations.
WE NEED TO MAKE OUR BUYERS LOVE SANTA CRUZ
This is why we are instilling CREATIVE PRODUCTION
across the streams of local tourism, culture,
heritage, environmental, and youth development initiatives.
Our VISION is a Santa Cruz where communities are empowered to CREATE services and experiences that can generate local livelihoods and development opportunities
Our MISSION is to CREATE platforms for community empowerment through:
OUR TEAM
We are a group of artists, artisans, and community leaders dedicated to nurturing creativity and using it to drive positive social and economic development in Santa Cruz.
Jesse Esplana
Chair, Board of Trustees
Artist, chef, and restaurateur, Jesse has already been staging solo exhibitions around the country before he decided to go back to his hometown where his talent and dedication to the arts is now a shining inspiration to the local creatives scene.
RR RaƱeses
Executive Director, Co-Founder
A seasoned academic, policy influencer, and development specialist, RR is lending his expertise and managing the day-to-day work of the organization on a voluntary capacity. He is instrumental to expanding and broadening the spaces of the Collective's engagements, integrating our artistic initiatives with creative tourism and youth leadership development.
Chelsea Rey
Board Treasurer
Chelsea is a dance enthusiast and choreographer whose Santa Cruz Dance Group is empowering the local youth and providing them with a platform to showcase and enhance their skills and hone their talents.
Hilarion Elegado
Board Secretary
Larry is the chair of the Political Science Department at the Marinduque State University. His research on local political, cultural, and sociological history as well as his active leadership in local civil society is connecting the organization to a wide support system network.
Averil Paras
Trustee
Averil has been capturing his audience's attention through his stories carefully crafted in his paintings. A consistent Metrobank Art and Design Excellence finalist, he had formal training in Fine Arts (as an Advertising major) at FEATI University
Segundo Quezada
Trustee
Seconds is a trusted musician and theater performer whose long career at the local government of Santa Cruz exposed him to the potentials and opportunities for development in Marinduque. He is also a licensed diver and cultural enthusiast.
Gatus Grae Constantino
Trustee
Gatus consistently won the local government's ArtVenture Weekly Design sprints with her visionary visuals and designs capturing the island spirit and cultural heritage of Marinduque's Moriones heritage.
Liezelle Ricohermoso
Trustee
Basha is one of the most hardworking and enthusiastic participant in the local government's ArtVenture Program. She is leading the management of the collective's commissioned Moryon Wearable Art orders.
Mark Larracas
Trustee
Mark pioneered the formation and organization of the Santa Cruz Artists - a local organization that staged exhibitions and trained young Santakruzins in visual arts and painting. He is mentoring our Moryon Wearable Art group of young artists.
Joy Barcelona
Trustee
Joy is one of the most sought after musical performer across Marinduque. Having represented the province in a national television competition she is eager to share her talent and mentor new musical performers. She also co-composed the music and lyrics to the local government's official tourism song.