While many people spend their idle hours chatting, three women in Calasiao choose to turn waste into art and profit by crafting Christmas lanterns out of used drinking straws.

Known as the “Tres Marias” of the Calasiao Public Market, Emma Soriano, Lori, and Myrna, the trio gather discarded straws from nearby stores and weave them into colorful parols, showcasing creativity and resourcefulness.

Emma said they prefer spending time making lanterns instead of gossiping.

“Kasi kung Marites… kakahanap ka ng kaaway, kahit hindi ka nagsabi… sasabihin ikaw. Kaya ang gusto namin, gumagawa na lang ng parol. Bukod sa safe ka pa sa tsismis, kumikita ka pa ng pera kahit na maliit,” she said.

The group sells each lantern for only P50. They said they draw attention customers who appreciate both the design and its eco-friendly appeal.

“Maganda ito, recycled pa. Mura pa. Iyong straw kahit pulutin mo straw ng softdrink,” Marivic Quinto, one of their buyers, said.

For the Tres Marias, income doesn’t always require capital, just patience and creativity.

“Pagod mo lang, parang ganon. Wala namang involve na pera. Dahil puro used nga. So, maganda ito, mga basura nagiging pera,” Soriano added.