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Furniture-maker turns scrap wood into art

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ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA - Furniture-maker Clifford Espinosa spends his weekends scouring junk shops and construction sites for scrap wood and haggling for the best price.</p><p>An architect by training, Espinosa has built a thriving business out of turning garbage into functional and beautiful pieces.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2016/business2/07/06/clifford-2.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc"><em>Photo from My Puhunan Facebook page</em></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>Espinosa draws inspiration from his childhood, growing up in a rough neighborhood in Navotas.</p><p>“Sa kolehiyo kasi, drawing lang kami ng drawing. Ako, gusto kong gumawa, gusto ko maging trabahador,” he told &quot;My Puhunan.&quot;</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2016/business2/07/06/clifford.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc"><em>Photo from My Puhunan Facebook page</em></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>After an eight-year apprenticeship with famous Filipino sculptor Jerry Araos, Espinosa ventured on his own with a startup capital of P150,000.</p><p>&quot;Maraming nakapansin, bakit ganito daw kagaganda &#x27;yung mga gawa ko? Para bang gusto kong kalimutan &#x27;yung kahapon,&quot; he said.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2016/business2/07/06/clifford-3.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc"><em>Photo from My Puhunan Facebook page</em></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>Like Espinosa, the workers in his shop have troubled pasts, but they are given a second chance through disciplined craftsmanship.</p><p>“Ang trabahador sa akin ay hindi tamang term, sila ay kasama ko sa buhay,” he said.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2016/business2/07/06/clifford-4.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc"><em>Photo from My Puhunan Facebook page</em></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>Espinosa has begun to export his works and was recently featured in a Singapore exhibit.</p>

<p>MANILA - Furniture-maker Clifford Espinosa spends his weekends scouring junk shops and construction sites for scrap wood and haggling for the best price.</p>

MANILA - Furniture-maker Clifford Espinosa spends his weekends scouring junk shops and construction sites for scrap wood and haggling for the best price.