INQUIRER Global Nation

Laura Rabac was only 13 when she started working in a bamboo and rattan furniture factory in Mandaue.

Years later, she met Ferdinand Rabac who worked for a nearby Buri furniture factory.

The couple got married in the late 1980s. They were raising then a brood of five when they realized that their joint salaries could not sustain their growing family.

“Mas lisod mi sa una sa kumpanya, kay sa una, kada week ang sweldo. Dili man na namo mautang daan, deductan pa imong agi ug utang sa canteen. Di pud mahimong dili mangutang sa canteen kay wala may laing kakan-an” (“It was more difficult when we were working with a firm because our pay was weekly. We couldn’t get cash advances and we would deductions for our debts in the canteen. It was not also possible not to have a credit line in the canteen because we had nowhere else to eat),” said Laura.

The couple decided to try their hand on a business in 1996. It is only logical to go into bamboo furniture because this is where they are skilled.

With only P2,000, the Rabacs bought bamboo poles and settled on a vacant lot owned by the city government in barangay Lahug, Cebu City.

It is where they sleep and make beautiful bamboo furniture.

Twelve years later, the couple now has eight children — six are still in school.

The eldest has completed high school and is helping the family business.

“Di man permanente among trabahante, kami rang magtiayon ug among mga anak ang nagpadagan ani (We have no permanent workers. It’s only me and my husband and children who run this),” Laura said.

Laura said they rely on sala set orders with prices ranging from P1,000 to P3,500 per set depending on the intricacy of the design.

“Naay usahay na maghatag sila’g ilahang design ug sukod, usahay akong bana ang ilang padesignon.” (There are those who give their own design and measurement. Sometimes they let my husband design them),” said Laura, now 39.

The peak season for their orders are from September to December. Their clients are usually homeowners and small businessmen.

On lean months, they said they only sell three sets in a week.

Laura said the biggest deal they made involved a production of five sala sets and other furniture items such as cabinets, double decks and dining sets.

Laura said she hopes to venture into a partnership with an investor because this is the only way for them to see the business grow.

Rabac, who was painting a bamboo chair with varnish during the interview stood and motions behind his wife. “Diri ra mi nagpuyo, tulda ra among atop, sa government man ni nga yuta”.

She said she wanted that they would be able to save enough money to be able to buy her town lot where they can up their factory and house.

“Kini among paningkamot, paras mga bata, para makapangeskwela, makapuyo’g nindot nga balay.” (“Our hardships are all for the kids, for their education, and so that we can live in a house”)