Raul Lagramada, a 49 year-old sole proprietor from Barangay Ngulos, Guiuan, Eastern Samar, shares his expertise in making handmade souvenir items out of coconut shell and bamboo during a workshop at Tabo-an ha Baybay Beach on Wednesday, June 15.
Lagramada owns a souvenir shop in Guiuan, called RDR Wood and Shellcraft. His fondness in making small novelty items started way back 1994 which eventually turned into a growing business.
Over the years, the entrepreneur found an opportunity in people who love to buy “pasalubong” when they visit tourist attractions in the Philippines.
Some people are interested in collecting refrigerator magnets, keychain, wallets and more. That’s why he thought a souvenir shop would be a good and successful business, especially, craftsmanship is where he is best at.
“Kinahanglan diri gud ma-give up. Han nagtitikang pala ak han akon negosyo, di talaga maiiwasan it failure pero na-overcome ko it kay mayda ko gugma ngan passion tak nagbubuhat, asya tikang 1994 ngada yana, masisiring ko nga successful la gihapon tak negosyo,” said Lagramada in his inspirational message.
Some souvenir shop owners in Borongan attended the workshop in hopes of acquiring additional knowledge from an expert craftsman and witness Raul do his magic in wooden souvenir-making.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), amazed by Lagramada’s work, ensured that RDR Wood and Shellcraft will be the go-to souvenir shop of Borongan City.
Raul, in awe of the Trade Fair event uttered, “Damo nga salamat hit DTI ngan ha LGU Borongan han pag imbitar ha akon para mag-inspire hin mga magtitikang pala mag-negosyo. Dako ini nga bulig ha amon nga ma-expose tam mga produkto.”
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