Pampangeño parol maker nets upbeat sales in Cebu

The cool mood of the Christmas season signals a delightful feeling for us Cebuanos. From soaring Christmas trees to life-sized belens and not to miss the traditionally symbolic “parol”.

The lively interplay of lights and color that beautifully shapes the intricate designs of the parol, does not only give joy to its buyers and spectators but it also brings an equally delightful hope for its business operators this season.

Ronald Timbol, 29 years of age, a native of Pampanga.  This young entrepreneur is one of the good makers and producers of the “native plastic parol” and “capiz shell parol” , which was originally known to be Pampanga’s best features.

After finishing a degree in Electrical Engineering in Pampanga, Ronald has started to show his passion in making parols.  “Sa Pampanga, ito na talaga ang ginagawa ng mga tao dun, natutunan ko ito kungbaga sa experience.”

In the year 1999, at the age of 22, Ronald started to set up his own business together with his friends with an approximate starting capital of 150,000 pesos to include all the expensive materials and its freight expenses.

 “Hindi naman talaga serious itong business na ‘to parang hobby lang ba” They produce native plastic parols which in due time evolved to capiz shell parols.  However, in the year 2000, they decided to expand their business and go to places like Cebu.

Every year, Ronald, together with his friends, would visit Cebu and expand their business for the Christmas season in a small shanty in Mambaling.  From September to December, Ronald, together with his three colleagues, would spend their time making and selling these parols along the streets of Mambaling, Cebu City bearing the name Pampanga Lantern Maker.

Consequently, it is a sole proprietorship kind of business but then, he always considers the effort of his friends who also devote their time for it.  Every week, he sees to it that they could finish around 30 parols.  With this, they are targeting to sell 300 parols by the end of the Christmas season.

The intricacy of the process of this product will really reflect on the prices of the parols. All materials were shipped all the way from Pampanga.  A small native plastic parol which consists of eight bulbs will cost P1,000 only, but could be bought at a discounted price of P800 only.  While a medium-sized parol (11 bulbs) will usually cost from P1,300 to P1,500 only. 

Meanwhile, the capiz shell parol, which is the most expensive yet vibrant among the three is pegged at P2,000 only.

At present, they are more inclined in maintaining the status quo of their business.  Ronald said that it is not practical to stay in Cebu for good because of its very high rentals.  To him, he is already contented with his annual Christmas visit here in Cebu.  And so far, the sales this year are a lot better compared to last year’s.

For a young entrepreneur like Ronald Timbol, his only advice for those who wish to establish their own business is, “Lakas ng loob lang talaga at dapat maging unique ka sa mga ginagawa mo.” 

For after all, just like the blinking lights of the parol, it never gets stable.  It goes along with the season, as it passes. —Reno T. Tallada (USJ-R Masscom Intern)