Albay-based handicraft maker Renato Madrideo has never missed a regional trade fair since the Department of Trade and Industry ’s (DTI) Regional Operations Group (ROG) reached out to his hometown in the early 2000s.
A native of Bascaran, Daraga, Mardrideo grew up in a family whose livelihood was rooted on weaving hand fans. The story of his childhood revolved on his parents trying to manage a family of 11 children, oftentimes requiring the brood to help after school and on weekends.
“Selling fans fed us. My earliest memory of how my parents provided our needs by selling fans made a great impression on my young mind, thus the love for the craft,” he said.
Growing up, he decided to carry on with the business when his parents decided to retire and pass on the legacy to younger Madrideos. His confidence to take on the role of an entrepreneur stemmed from the long years of learning to the business.
Four of his siblings and himself carried on the business separately, and while competing with each other, they discovered there were more handicraft products than just the native fans.
Madrideo found himself venturing beyond fans—creating lampshades and baskets that are sturdy yet elegant.
The Anahaw fans, simple yet useful, remained a cherished product, despite the addition of more handmade crafts.
He formalized his small business and registered it as RLM Native Products with the DTI in 2006. The early years were a test of resilience, but a partnership with the DTI in 2007 opened doors to regional trade fairs. From those hesitant first steps, RLM became a regular fixture in national and regional trade shows.
Holiday fairs
RLM Native Products is known for its colorful native Christmas ornaments. Using indigenous materials, Madrideo, his wife and a group of five workers set out to prepare for the holiday hustle starting June or July of every year.
They skim the social media in search for the new trends and designs from which they try to innovate on. With inspiration from those designs, RLM refines and upgrades them to meet the local demand.
With support from the DTI’s product innovation team, RLM skillfully improves and upgrades its portfolio of Christmas decorations, making them more vibrant and appealing to holiday shoppers.
The business is a regular participant in the Holiday Bazaar at SM Mega Trade Hall and every regional Christmas trade fairs.
It has also brought home the Best Seller Award during the Orgullo kan Bikol (OKB) Trade Fair in 2017. OKB is the longest running regional trade fair in the country.
Christmas cheers
In their home, which also serves as the production area-cum-showroom, Christmas trees of various sizes line the floor of the working area. A Christmas tree design, made of local vine called Yantok, is a popular choice among buyers. RLM produces Yantok Christmas trees from two feet to as high five feet.
But Yantok isn’t RLM’s only brush with tradition. Lupis, an indigenous fiber made from abaca, and even seagrass find their way into these charming Christmas trees, breathing life into vibrant Pinoy designs.
RLM also produces Christmas tree adornments of various designs from festive balls, stars, mini lanterns to reindeers using indigenous vines, native brush and other raw materials sourced locally.
RLM’s story isn’t just about ornaments and trees; it’s about weaving dreams into reality. Each handcrafted decoration whispers a tale of tradition.
More than the profit, Madrideo is happy to support as many weavers he can employ in his town. He said the group of local weavers he works with is the most important part of his production chain.
For Madrideo, the heart of RLM isn’t just about generating holiday cheer. It’s about sustaining the vibrant community he nurtures, employing as many local weavers as he can manage.
He said witnessing the skills of local weavers and providing them with sustainable work is the true gift of the season.
“They’re the backbone of our operation,” he said. “Seeing their skills flourish under our guidance, offering them sustainable work – that’s the true Christmas gift.”