THE WAGAS STORY

Born from a humble backyard project in 1998, Wagas Crafts has grown into a proudly Cebuano brand known for inventive collapsible baskets. Guided by founder Ritchie Wagas and his wife, our family business blends creative design, careful hand-crafting, and new-generation tools to share Filipino artistry with the world.

Wagas Crafts has always been about family, creativity, and Filipino craftsmanship. Our story began in 1998, when newly married Ritchie and his wife were simply trying to make their way in the world. A friend from Canada shared an idea about Amish-style collapsible baskets. Inspired, Ritchie set to work in their backyard—literally—dreaming of baskets that could be more than utilitarian.

With the help of a skilled carpenter who believed in his vision (and was, for a time, paid only with a sack of rice), Ritchie transformed the old Amish concept into something distinctly Filipino. He designed collapsible baskets with birds, animals, and other intricate patterns—more than 50 unique designs over the years. Through those humble days, he always said his true partner was his wife, whose trust and tireless support made every risk possible.

That November, the couple joined a small pre-Christmas bazaar in Cebu. Two prominent Cebuano families stopped by: one ordered in bulk as corporate gifts, and the other for personal presents. Those early believers sparked a dream. Later that same year, Ayala Center Cebu invited them to open their very first store. From that single mall space, their “Magic Baskets” captured hearts locally and abroad.

Before long, Wagas Crafts was shipping container after container of handcrafted baskets to Europe—continuously for ten years. These exports didn’t just bring economic stability; they created an economic boom that uplifted Ritchie, his family, and the community around them. Jobs were created, livelihoods improved, and Cebuano craftsmanship reached homes across the world.

As the business flourished, Ritchie’s inventiveness never slowed. Beyond the signature baskets, Wagas Crafts explored wooden carvings, home décor, and keepsakes—each one handmade in small batches from local wood. When economic challenges in the 2010s arrived, he pivoted once again, crafting ukuleles that soon became some of the finest in the Philippines. Through every change, the soul of Wagas Crafts stayed the same: celebrating Philippine artistry and making each piece by hand with care and pride.

Today, Wagas Crafts is both a revival and a continuation of that journey. Ritchie’s daughter now works alongside him, bringing fresh ideas and expanding into new designs while honoring the heritage that built the brand. Each item—whether a collapsible basket, a wooden ukulele, or a modern keepsake—carries a story of love, trust, and Cebuano ingenuity.

When you bring one of our pieces into your home, you hold more than a product. You hold a living story of Filipino perseverance, family partnership, and art that began in a humble backyard and continues to this day.

A Blast from the past, behind the scenes of wagas.

Wagas Crafts earned national recognition when ANC Money featured our signature collapsible baskets—celebrating the ingenuity, design, and craftsmanship of a proudly Cebuano brand.

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