Go negosyo sa Bacolod: The woman behind winning wares

Trendy, tasteful, tantalizing, transcendent and timeless.

Tumandok Crafts Industries, designer Josephine Locsin’s handicraft brand, epitomizes all of the above.

Tumandok, which traces its roots to Bacolod, is Locsin’s initial entrepreneurial adventure, a handicraft company aimed at manufacturing and distributing resin-based products.

 Established in 1988, Tumandok began as a trading firm providing alternative employment to sugar workers during the height of the sugar industry crisis in Negros Occidental. It has since become a dynamic venture that promotes Filipino flair.

“Innovation with a Pinoy flavor is our key to making items which normally stay in a person’s imagination. With our products, we aim to leave our patrons with a superior and lasting impression,” said Locsin, once nominated by Ernst & Young as Entrepreneur of the Year.

Tumandok, which literally rose from the ashes after its factory was razed by a fire in 2003, continues to produce top quality light furniture, house wares, and decors from dried tobacco leaves, coco twigs, rice hulls, and other indigenous materials. The company is currently exporting its products to China, Middle East, USA, and Europe.

When the demand for laminated products increased in the export market, Locsin set up her own lamination company to complement the cutting-edge designs of Tumandok. She also opened a sub-factory based in Bacolod City, in tune with the company’s vision to set up satellite factories in rural and urban areas and transforming its diligent workers into enterprising subcontractors.

For contributing to the business development in Negros and instilling Filipino pride in her world-class masterpieces, Locsin will be hailed by President Arroyo and Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship Jose Concepcion III as an Inspiring Bacolod Entrepreneur, an award given by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship as part of the Go Negosyo sa Bacolod slated on July 13-14 at the La Salle Bacolod Coliseum.

Go Negosyo sa Bacolod is part of PCE’s latest endeavor, the Go Negosyo Caravan, which aims to bring Go Negosyo forums and expositions to key cities outside Metro Manila.

Go Negosyo sa Bacolod is supported by the Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Bacolod City Economic and Business Council through the representation of Bobby Montelibano (president) and Bro. Rolly Dizon (chairman).

Go Negosyo sa Bacolod is presented by Philippine Airlines, PAGCOR, Globe, Hyundai, PLDT, Smart, Islands Souvenirs, DTI-OTOP and RFM Corp. Other partners of the event include SM Supermalls and La Salle Bacolod, The Philippine STAR, The Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Manila Bulletin, GMA Network Inc., RPN9, NBN4, Aspac-Law, Ideal Minds Corp., and Full Circle Communications.