Pen pal

Arnel VallejoFounder, Banwa Pens

“It started as a hobby, and I'm not in it for profit.”

ARNEL “Nonoy” Vallejo's entry into the Iloilo art scene was inevitable.

Art had always been woven into the fabric of his life. His father was a schoolteacher, and his mother found joy in creating craft projects at home.

This creative environment nurtured Vallejo's early passion for craftsmanship, leading him to the art of making calligraphy pens — a rare and almost forgotten skill in a world increasingly dominated by digital tools.

In an age where digitalization has nearly rendered the pen obsolete, Vallejo insists on following a traditional path.

His primary motivation stems from his desire to support his wife, a calligraphy artist, in her search for high-quality writing instruments, which are often imported.

Far from attempting to resist the march of technology, Vallejo simply fills a niche he believes still matters.

“Calligraphy peaked around 2014,” he reflects, but in his workshop, he continues to fashion pens from upcycled wood for those who appreciate the art of handwritten expression.

Vallejo's journey began in the strange quiet of the pandemic lockdowns.

With a desk job that shifted to a hybrid setup, he found himself with time on his hands.

Rather than simply enduring the days, Vallejo turned his artistic background into a new calling.

“I posted my work on Instagram and Facebook,” he recalls. A Philippine calligraphy group soon discovered him, and his pens found an enthusiastic audience, many of whom had grown tired of imported tools and were eager for locally made alternatives.

For Vallejo, Banwa Pens are more than just writing tools. They represent sentiment and the art of communication itself — a reminder that the act of writing by hand is not just a lost art but a fading skill.

His workshops, especially those with children, often reveal how little cursive writing is taught or practiced today.

“I see it in the kids I work with,” Vallejo says. “Writing by hand is becoming rare.

As a father, Vallejo's craft has evolved into advocacy.

Banwa Pens has moved beyond mere function to become part of a larger movement.

“It started as a hobby, and I'm not in it for profit,” he says, though the response from the community has been overwhelming.

The local market embraced his work, and his pens quickly garnered attention. Before long, the Department of Trade and Industry began inviting him to trade shows, and the National Economic and Development Authority helped promote his craft.

Vallejo's work also reflects Iloilo's rich heritage of artisanship. Collaborating with local tradespeople, he sources wood from his uncles, who are furniture makers, ensuring that his pens are made from locally sourced, upcycled materials.

Occasionally, clients bring him wood from old homes to transform into pens, while corporate clients commission special orders for events.

Vallejo finds inspiration in his surroundings — from the patterns of Iloilo's sinamay fabric to the colors and textures of local furniture.

Despite a background in fisheries from the University of the Philippines Visayas, Vallejo's artistic leanings were evident early on. He enjoyed sketching marine species for his classmates and often joked that the scientific field was more of an “artistic laboratory” for him.

His passion for pen crafting grew steadily, despite the demands of family life and a day job. Vallejo even used his 13th-month pay to buy one of his first pen-sculpting machines, a testament to his belief that art and work can coexist.

The challenges of acquiring materials and managing the business side of things would have discouraged a less dedicated craftsman.

Sourcing machines from the US, meeting deadlines and handling orders that sometimes take weeks to complete are all part of Vallejo's journey.

Yet, rather than feeling burdened, he sees this as part of his commitment to the craft.

Banwa Pens has become a movement of its own.

Vallejo frequently conducts carpentry workshops at Vista Mall Iloilo, offering free sessions for children.

“Parents approach me,” he says with enthusiasm. “The kids are proud of their work, having made something with their own hands.” Some parents even book private crafting sessions for their children, valuing the hands-on experience as a break from screen time.

Vallejo is investing in the next generation, believing that patience and endurance — the qualities developed through crafting — are essential for navigating the digital age.

“We're quick to push coding and programming, but have kids really developed the patience for such tasks?” he wonders.

For Vallejo, the satisfaction of creating something tangible — something painstakingly crafted by hand — is irreplaceable.

While the future may be digital, Vallejo and his students are still writing it with ink and wood.

QUICK QUESTIONS

What really makes you angry?

Injustice in all aspects of life.

What motivates you to work hard?

My vision for Banwa.

What makes you laugh the most?

When I make a very silly dad at home and see the reaction from my kids' faces.

What did you want to be when you were small?

A helicopter pilot.

What would you do if you won the lotto?

Together with my wife, build our dream workshop in the middle of the forest.

If you could share a meal with an individual, living or dead, who would they be?

I want to spend this with Sadhguru. founder of ISHA Foundation, and explore life questions.

What is the most daring thing you have ever done?

Embarked on a five-year journey. Wandering around looking for myself and

my purpose.

What was the last book you read?

“The Bhagavad Gita.”

What celebrity would you like to meet for a cup of coffee?

If from the past, George Harrison of the Beatles. If living, Bono of U2.

What is the one thing you will never do again?

None.I am a sum of all my experiences.

Where will you see yourself in 10 years?

Still in the workshop working in pens with my wife besidesdoing papermaking.