Lantern maker says diversification can make industry year-round

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Lantern maker Rolando Quiambao yesterday urged local lantern makers to study diversifying their product lines and also venture into other crafts production outside of the demand of the Yuletide Season to ensure productivity.

Quiambao, who counts among the respected lantern makers in the city, said that lantern making lines are capable of venturing into other decorative crafts.

Lantern makers can also use their skills and workforce for the production of decorative souvenirs and crafts that are not necessarily lanterns.

A lantern maker, he said, can make murals, chimes, decorative figures and the likes that could be sold even off the season of Christmas.

“There is no limit to the possibility. All that is left is create a demand for such products,” Quiambao said.

He added that there is a niche market for decorative products. He stressed that making lantern makers productive even off season is a big plus in the local industry.

Quiambao said that that there is a need now to channel promotional activities no longer on a provincial level but on the national and international market with a renewed marketing brand that promotes the city’s lanterns.

While there are some provinces with growing lantern industries, Quiambao said that these would only serve as challenges for the lantern industry in the City of San Fernando.

“There is a need now to diversify and use our strong points to make the whole industry and year-round commercial activity,” Quiambao said.