Lantern maker wants lantern making skills in K-12 program

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO— World famous lantern maker and designer Roland Quiambao said Monday that the government should seriously consider incorporating lantern making skills and the teaching of lantern making craft in the K-12 program in the city.

Quiambao said that while lantern-making remains a strong industry with sales at all time high this latter part of 2017, the current manpower would not sufficiently cater to the demand of the season as well as saturate many areas in the Philippines.

Quiambao said that this could be attributed to the fact that there are fewer younger Fernandinos focusing interest on becoming lantern makers.

He added that the industry now needs more electricians than ever.

Quiambao said that that there is also 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 lant er ns.

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 a year round commercial activity,” Quiambao said.

Quiambao said that the lantern makers here can make lighting fixtures and electrical designs to fit year round occasions and events. He added that since Fernandino lantern makers are good at lighting and design, they can also venture in home decorative lighting like lampshades and table lamps among others.

“The key is creativity,” Quiambo said, adding that there should also be measures to help lantern makers penetrate the international commercial markets.

He added that this could be achieved if there is a supply of affordable electrical wiring and parts that are approved by international electric standards.