Nestled in the heart of Bacnotan, ‘The Hive‘ is more than a marketplace; it’s a celebration of identity, a testament to tradition, and a catalyst for transformation.
This buzzing community hub, dedicated to the ‘One Town, One Product’ (OTOP) initiative organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) where the heart of the town meets the hands of its people—crafts a future as vibrant as its offerings, including honey.
The shop, a nook for local farmers and fisherfolk within the town’s farmers’ agri-tourism center, was established in 2023 by the local government of Bacnotan.
‘The Hive’ is named after the town’s emblem of income, the ‘beehive.’
Just as bees gather pollen and store it, the town’s residents collect and present local products to sustain suppliers and attract tourists.
The DTI provided ₱300,000 for furniture and fixtures while the local government unit invested around ₱1.8 million for the site’s renovation, drawing inspiration from traditional Filipino architecture.
Its interior feels like one never really leaves home. The gallery walls, floors, and chairs feel cozy, and at times, one finds themselves thinking they are sitting in an upgraded version of their home.
It has a hive vibe with minimalistic, formal design that combines simplicity and modernity and when one can taste their pastries, local and international tourists will definitely want to come back.
In addition to honey, shelves at the hub are lined with an array of local specialties, including honey-mansi juice, duck binagoongan, honey vinegar, mushroom crackers, polvoron, and wine.
Its lighter hues, composed of blacks and yellows, create an airy vibe that promotes a sense of tranquility as it resembles the color of bees.
Shelves adorned with jars of honey—golden and thick as sunlight—whisper tales of local beekeepers who tend their hives with care, protecting both the ecosystem and a centuries-old craft.
Delicate silk weaves, spun from local fibers and dyed in hues drawn from nature, lie folded beside bamboo sculptures, each capturing the spirit of a community that finds beauty and purpose in its surroundings.
At The Hive, the OTOP initiative finds its heartbeat, with each product serving as a symbol of the town’s legacy in honey, silk, and mushroom.
Originally intended to support the town’s residents, the shop has since expanded to showcase products from other municipalities such as chichacorn from Tubao, sea urchin from Balaoan, yellow corn from San Juan and soft broom from San Fernando City.
In addition to products, The Hive supports various local groups such as persons with disabilities (PWDs), women’s association, and fisherfolk families, helping to amplify their handcrafted products such as basket, crocheted flowers and hats, among others.
In an interview with Mayor Fontanilla, she stated that the shop aims to lift Bacnotan’s artisans from obscurity and place them on a stage that honors their skill and stories.
“The Hive isn’t just a shop, it’s a living, breathing reflection of Bacnotan. We’re not only selling products but sharing pieces of who we are,” Fontanilla said.
Workshops at the shop bring constituents closer to the hands behind each creation.
Local artisans host classes on weaving, bee-keeping, mushroom production, among others, transforming the space into a creative playground where traditions are preserved and passed on.
Here, community members and visitors alike get the chance to weave their own silk fabrics or carve bamboo into artful shapes—each experiencing a window into the town’s soul.
More than a showcase, The Hive is also a lifeline for the municipality’s artisans where it equips local entrepreneurs with essential skills, from digital branding to online marketing.
With an e-commerce platform, Bacnotan’s products reach new audiences, sending honey, weaves, and woodwork across the archipelago and beyond.
For artisans like Kathereen Kate Gañola, who has spent years crafting threads into art, The Hive has opened doors.
“I used to work alone, selling only to people who already knew me,” she says, smiling as she watches her creations catch the attention of visitors.
“Now, people from all over come to see what we’re making, and I feel proud of what I do,” she said.
At the heart of The Hive is also the Bacnotan Honey Cooperative, whose sweet, natural honey has become a regional favorite.
Ramon Castillo, the cooperative’s founder, recalls how the shop helped them turn their humble harvest into a sought-after product.
“They showed us how to package and present our honey so that every jar tells our story,” Castillo said.
He added, “Now, our honey has made it to markets we never imagined.”
As Bacnotan’s artisans find their rhythm in the shop, the town is blossoming.
The municipality’s agri-tourism circuit combines agriculture, culture, and scenic beauty, allowing visitors to connect with the town’s heritage.
Guests can visit farms to participate in honey harvesting, fruit picking, and traditional farming methods.
They can also join workshops on beekeeping, organic farming, and food production.
Beyond economic empowerment, The Hive has sparked a renewed sense of pride—proof that the power of community and craft is alive and thriving.
Aligning with the province’s vision to be the heart of agri-tourism in Northern Luzon by 2025, The Hive seeks Bacnotan’s unique talents and resources into a shared story of resilience and creativity.
In this small town, on these humble shelves, the “One Town, One Product” vision finds its voice—one woven thread, one jar of honey, at a time.
Here, Bacnotan isn’t just surviving; it’s flourishing, embracing a future shaped by its past.
Open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., The Hive extends its hours on weekends, especially during peak seasons like Holy Week, when the town attracts a surge of visitors.
For those interested in exploring the pasalubong hub, they can connect with the town through Bacnotan Municipal Tourism, Culture, and Arts Office Facebook page or by emailing [email protected]. (AMB/MJTAB/KJCR, PIA La Union)
