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Wednesday, December 20, 2006
The Filipino Christmas lantern comes in every material, shape and size imaginable. Traditional parols are hand-made using glazed Japanese paper, bamboo and floral motifs while the more durable contemporary designs are crafted from plastic or capiz shell and brass. Pampangastyle lanterns are more intricate, with blinking electric lights to enhance the many colored patterns.
Rolando and Vilma Hernandez were already in business distributing computers and communications technology for six years when they hit on the idea of selling Pampanga-style Christmas parols.
Having been raised in Pampanga, the home of the Giant Christmas Lantern festival, the parols held a special place in Vilma’s heart. “My relatives in Pampanga were already in the lantern business,” Vilma says. But it wasn’t until 1998 when the couple noticed none of the malls they shopped in carried the colorful and festive lantern displays that identified the traditional Filipino Christmas.
“Our concept was not just about making a quick peso,” Rolando explains. “We went into the business to help revive and spread authentic Filipino Christmas spirit.” This concept got the couple their foothold in the SM retail giant. And from two lantern stands in SM Megamall, Roviland Merchandising expanded to SM North Edsa in Quezon City, SM Southmall in Las Piñas, Festival Mall in Alabang and this year to the sprawling SM Mall of Asia.
Going Global
From the first set of parols put together in their homebased shop, the company has since diversified the product line to include lampshades, candle holders and jewelry boxes made from the versatile capiz shell. Rolando and Vilma hit the jackpot, so to speak, in 2000 when Erlinda Tupas of Manila Gifts, a Filipino shop located in West Covena, California placed an initial order worth close to a million pesos of capiz crafts. Manila Gifts has since remained a valued customer.
“We are very lucky to have landed the project,” according to Rolando. “Breaking into the global market isn’t easy for a small business, so if you manage it, that says a lot about the quality of the workmanship and design.” He is a stickler for consumer safety and points out to samples of their work which conform to strict international electrical standards.
Presentation and product quality is most important, says Vilma. She also identifies the ability to provide a competitive price and to meet a bulk buyer’s deadline. It rings true whether you are producing for international clients or the local retailers.
Aside from Manila Gifts, they also deal with foreign clients in Hongkong and China. The Hernandezes are hoping that by next year, they could already open a Filipino lantern stand in one of the malls in Hong Kong.
Success Secret
More than having the right price and a quality product, Vilma says success is the result of one’s ability to manage money, people and time. “If you are going into business always maintain your optimism,” Rolando advises. “Think positively in times of disappointments. Count your blessings.”
“And don’t forget to thank the Lord,” adds Vilma. Their positive outlook helps them become more creative and more enterprising. “We want to discover new things, and to market other products abroad.” Rolando says of their future plans.
And as long as Roviland Merchandising is around, in the malls and in stores abroad, it’s going to look a lot like Christmas, the whole year round. - with interviews by Rex Dyquiangco In his remarks as opening speaker, Ambassador Tambunting said the conference comes at a most opportune time. He noted the high priority accorded SME promotion in the economic agenda of countries across the Asia Pacific region as well as the emergence of SME Banks.
Roviland Merchandising
Roviland Compound #28 Quincy Street, Ciudad Grande North II
Lawa, Mecauayan, Bulacan • Tel. 277-9189 Fax. 277-0412
Email: roland168@roviland.net • Website: www.roviland.net