A factory, showroom, and inventory ending up as a pile of ashes is a nightmare for any company. Let alone a single proprietorship like Tumandok Crafts Industries of Bacolod City.
The Tale of Tumandok Crafts Industries
Ms. Josephine “Jojie” Locsin, a woman with strong faith in God, started Tumandok Crafts Industries October 1988. It was a trading firm, a micro-enterprise registered with the Philippines Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as a sole proprietorship. They went into buying and selling homemade Philippines handicrafts during the height of the sugar industry crisis in Negros Occidental.
Ms. Jojie wanted to give extra income as well as hope to the sugar workers displaced by the crisis. She wanted to provide a market for the handicraft they produced.
Joining the Association of Negros Producers
Tumandok joined the Association of Negros Producers (ANP) also on the same year. With the workshops held by the association, they were encouraged to produce their own artisanal products. They made bags, buri furniture and baskets, hand-painted wall decors, and terracotta figurines and vases.
Jojie saw the demand for more of their products. Additionally, she saw that so many more people needed jobs.
So Tumandok expanded its territory. In 1997, they established their own lamination factory in Barangay Central Ma-ao, Bago City. The new venture was started with twelve (12) workers and an initial capital of PhP50,000.
Placing her utter trust and commitment to God, Jojie acknowledges that the Almighty is the real owner of her business. She believes that she is only the manager.
More Products and Orders
Tumandok produced innovative laminated gift items and housewares. They used discarded natural materials found in the environment as their base designs.
Their new products were displayed at the ANP Showroom and eventually attracted an exports buyer. The laminated product lines became the flagship products of Tumandok.
After a year, the demand for Tumandok wares in the domestic and foreign markets increased. More workers were hired and they opened a temporary factory at Greenplains Subdivision, Bacolod City. This was in 1999.
A Great Misfortune
Four years later, Tumandok Crafts Industries experienced a major setback. Their factory at Greenplains was ravaged by a big fire.
It was a Sunday morning and only a guard was on duty. A faulty wiring in the far end of the work area sparked. Since it was drizzling, that spark erupted into flames. The guard said that it looked like a shower of sparks that lit up the nearest areas. Since most of their materials are highly combustible, the whole factory went up in flames fast.
Although the warehouse was insured, they were not able to list down the finished products. They were not able to account for them. And they had a lot back then because orders were being prepared for shipment. The insurance money was not enough to cover the inventory and cost of the entire losses.
Faith in God and Humanity
Despite the humbling experience, Jojie never lost faith in God. In fact, it only made her cling to Him more. The #PlsSaveMe and my business prayer was sent to heaven more than a thousand times. She knew she was not alone in the journey. God would restore her finances, her business, and her people’s jobs.
She never felt bitter at the incident. Instead, she kept on praying and focusing her energy on rebuilding. She found a 3000-square-meter lot for sale in Barangay Calumangan, Bago City, Negros Occidental. The bank was selling it for a very low rate so she was able to acquire it.
Meanwhile, hews of the devastating fire reached their customers abroad. One of their clients from the Netherlands reached out to them and donated funds. So they were able to start building the new factory. Furthermore, when the finances ran dry, that same client offered a loan.
Six months later, Tumandok Crafts Industries opened the new factory. It had been the permanent home of their operations ever since the fateful incident. Like the resurrection, Jojie attributes everything to the Lord’s favor and kindness of people.
Meanwhile, visit Tumandok’s showroom and find small resin laminated items for Bacolod pasalubong.
Contact Information
Tumandok Crafts Industries
Showroom: G/F Cybergate Robinsons
Singcang, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines 6100
Tel. Nos.: (+6334) 476.1059 | (+6334) 713.8327
Email: mktg018.tumandok@gmail.com
Website: www.Tumandok.com
It’s great to see that many Filipinos are very artistic. It makes me really proud. Thank you for sharing this.
Isang magandang inspirasyon po ung kwento ni mam jojie..Kung may pananalig ka po talaga sa DIYOS lahat ng dalangin mo matutupad..Congrats po sa bagong factory ni maam jojie..
Truly a pride of negro’s
Humility and passion are really important
For us to stand out
Nakakatuwa talagang makita na kahit anong pagsubok ang dumating, ang mga Pilipino talagang malikhain at maka-Diyos. Thanks for sharing Mommy Sig, another inspiring story/blog post.
Totoo yan ,kahit sa anong pagsubok nag pahdadaanan wag mawalaan ng Pag asa na makabangon muli at wag sya tanungin kung bakit,sa halip Lalo pa tayong makikipag usap sa kanya at humingi ng lakas para bumangon muli,sya ang bahala kasama ng ating sipag at tyaga🙏🏼