Meet Bel, a beacon of creativity.
Our Origin Story
Bel Merch pays homage to my beloved grandmother, Isabel Navasca Corpuz. While many affectionately called her "Lola," Tagalog for grandmother, within our family circle, she was fondly known as "Bel" – the inspiration behind our name.
Bel was a beacon of creativity; she imparted wisdom as an English teacher, penned beautiful poetry, and possessed a charming sassiness that endeared her to all. For more than 23 years, she resided with my family, and her room served as the nucleus of our home. We gathered around her, sharing our achievements, aspirations, and wild dreams, to which she unfailingly responded with pride and encouragement: "you can do it." With Bel, no dream seemed too grand, no ambition too lofty; she instilled in us the belief that with determination, anything was possible.
Though she may no longer be physically present to cheer me on, I carry forward the mantle of inspiring others to pursue their aspirations. At Bel Merch and Design, our mission is to ignite your creativity, empower you to embrace your values, and embolden you to dream beyond boundaries.
Our Founder
Meet Maria (me!), the powerhouse behind it all.
In a previous life, I was constantly on the road, selling tee shirts and records at various venues across the country. Every new tour, I awaited the unveiling of fresh designs. Witnessing people's enthusiasm as they shelled out $50 for tour-exclusive merch, and seeing them geek out over the artwork as much as I did, was immensely rewarding. It became apparent that designs with a nostalgic, relatable, or comical edge always struck a chord.
Although my touring days have been put on pause (for now, at least), my dedication to the world of merchandise remains unchanged. I'm driven by a desire to convince companies to create merchandise that people would eagerly invest in, given the chance. But it's not just about beautiful design and compensating artists fairly; that's merely the tip of the iceberg.
Enter Bel Merch: the culmination of my passion for bridging the gap between people and artists, all while championing sustainability. I refuse to peddle goods destined for the landfill; instead, I aim to uplift artists and provide quality products to those who wish to support a meaningful mission or cause.
I'm thrilled that you've joined me on this journey — welcome to Bel Merch!
“I'm driven by a desire to convince companies to create merchandise that people would eagerly invest in, given the chance. But it's not just about beautiful design and compensating artists fairly; that's merely the tip of the iceberg.”
- Maria Corpuz