HERMELITA “MELING” TESNADO SANCHEZ
Nang Meling is a resident of Barangay Sto.
Rosario, Pandan, Antique. She was born
on January 15, 1941. As a mat weaver, she augmented her income by trading “banig” to support her six children in
school.
In 1988, DTI -
Antique Provincial Office in collaboration with the Antique Provincial
Government trained the mat weavers at Sto. Rosario, Pandan in bag making. This
activity intended to increase the income of mat weavers.
She was the
first President of Sto. Rosario Family Welfare Organization, a group of
graduates of the said training. The
members were first hesitant to produce bags since these were new products and
market was not yet established. Nang
Milling pursued bag weaving by proactively looking for buyers. Together with a
handful of her members, she worked overtime and responded to orders promptly. The
“rice” and cash she brought home as payment for the bags motivated more members
to actively participate in this livelihood activity of the group.
With her
entrepreneurial spirits she penetrated Metro Manila after seizing an
opportunity of supplying SM Department Stores in 1991. This breakthrough and
other market linkages were created when she participated in the trade fairs
organized by DTI.
While the
members’ capability to manage was strengthened, Nang Milling put up her own
business in 1992. Since then, bag-making is one of the major livelihood
activities of Barangay Sto. Rosario for 3 decades until now.
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