Creative enterprise Tara Baraha! continuously proves that it is more than just any other business. When the Philippine government implemented enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila and most provinces in Luzon on March 16, 2020, Tara Baraha!’s owner, Josephine Gamos, was quick to launch an initiative to help daily wage workers who are directly affected by the temporary closure of most businesses.
Tara Baraha! launched a fund-raising activity—Tara Tulong Tayo!—aimed at providing at least P1,000 in cash assistance to workers who would lose income due to the lockdown. Gamos’ friends and relatives joined the team of Tara Baraha! in persuading generous companies and individuals to chip in to help generate ample funds for the effort.
Tara Tulong Tayo! was a simple fund-raising project utilizing the business’ network and social media assets. In fact, Gamos herself created its poster using the quick online design platform Canva. With the help and generosity of donors, the donation drive had generated P1.767 million by June 25, 2020—the 100th day of the quarantine and the fund-raising activity.
That amount translates to 1,767 daily wage workers, each had received P1,000. The recipients so far comprised of food establishment crew, drivers, shop staff, office workers, construction workers, factory workers, disers, maintenance personnel, utility crew, salon staff, vendors, and massage therapists in selected areas.
“Through the generosity of so many kind souls, we have been able to send help to those who need it the most, especially in these tough times,” Gamos said. “It was great to have been able to create a platform that enabled many of us to be able to help from home. May the kindest and best in us emerge as we continue to fight this global pandemic.”
Showcasing local destinations
Gamos founded Tara Baraha! in 2017 when the young entrepreneur realized that she still did not own a deck of cards that can be identified with the Philippines. She was then fond of collecting an unusual travel collection—she would always buy a deck of cards whenever she visits a foreign destination. She had collected over 50 decks in her collection but none was from the home country.
With the help of friends—Vanessa Gaston and artist Kil Camalongay—the venture was launched in November 2018 via Instagram. Tara Baraha! sells playing cards that showcase the alluring natural wonders of the Philippines. Each deck comes with 52 info cards that take players on a visual journey around the country. There are three joker cards serving as bucket lists to popular domestic destinations.
Business with a purpose
Since its commercial launch, part of the proceeds has been shared with Dream Big Pilipinas, a group that aims to help underprivileged Filipino kids to take the chance to improve their lives by playing football. Tara Baraha!’s recently launched Palawan deck, on the other hand, donates part of its sales to Art on the Move, a group that mounts art workshops for the benefit of underprivileged children in Palawan.
For the entire July 2020, every deck sold by Tara Baraha! that is sold through its official Lazada shop will allocate P50 as a donation to Tara Tulong Tayo! as a way to further bolster the pandemic donation drive.