26/08/2026
๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐๐ฑ๐๐๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฆ๐๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐: ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ & ๐๐ฟ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐น ๐๐๐ฟ๐ป๐ถ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐ต๐ผ๐ฝ
From humble beginnings as furniture shop workers in Cagayan to becoming proud entrepreneurs, Rosana Gannaban Aglibao and her husband, Julie, have transformed years of hard work into a thriving handicraft business.
Long before they established their own enterprise, the couple quietly honed their skills in the local furniture industry. Rosana gained valuable experience in marketing and business management, while her husband, Julie, who began carving wood at just 15 years old, mastered the craft as a wood sander and design carver. Guided by a shared vision to build a business rooted in craftsmanship, culture and perseverance, they turned their passion into a livelihood that now showcases the artistry of Filipino handcrafted products.
In 2009, Lester & Krystal Furniture Shop was established in Poblacion Norte, Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur, naming the business after their two children. Through years of dedication, the couple built a reputation for handcrafted sala sets, beds with side tables, dining sets, cabinets, and doors that reflect the elegance of Ilocano craftsmanship and the quality of honest work. Beyond creating furniture, they also invested in people by employing working students, helping pay for their education, and treating them like family. But even as their craftsmanship earned quiet recognition, the couple felt the weight of limitations they could not easily name they had beautiful products, but no stage to showcase them. They had talent but lacked the networks to turn it into growth. They were skilled artisans who remained, in many ways, invisible to the wider market.
Until one day, a friend of their childโsomeone who worked at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Ilocos Surโtold them about the programs and services available to entrepreneurs like them. It was a simple conversation, but it opened a door they did not know existed. For the first time, Julie and Rosana saw a path not just to survive in business, but to truly grow.
The couple joined the Tawid ti Kultura Trade Fair during the Ilocos Sur Festival 2025 and Trade and Food Fair during the Ilocos Sur Festival 2026 organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Ilocos Surโan experience that challenged everything they thought they knew about reaching customers. Standing behind a booth for the first time, they discovered what their buyers truly wanted: furniture that is not only beautiful and custom-made, but space-saving and functional. They listened, they adapted, and they walked away with something more valuable than salesโthey walked away with confidence. Their supply chain management improved, their network widened, and the once-shy couple began to find their voice in the marketplace.
Determined to sustain their growing momentum, Rosana invested in strengthening her entrepreneurial skills. In June 2025, she successfully completed the Kapatid Mentor ME Online (KMME-ME) Program, where she finished all ten modules covering marketing, operations, finance and digitalization. The knowledge she gained quickly translated into action. Rosana refined their pricing strategies, improved financial management and planned more effectively for seasonal challenges, such as fluctuations in the supply of raw wood. Equipped with these new business strategies, Lester & Krystal Furniture Shop continued to expand its reach, including its participation in the Ilocos Sur Festival Trade and Food Fair 2026, further strengthening the business's presence in the regional market and opening doors to new customers and opportunities.
Through sustained effort and the continued support of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Lester & Krystal Furniture Shop reached a significant turning point in its journey. What was once a business with a limited customer base began reaching more clients and gaining greater visibility in the market.
With improved business practices and stronger networks, the couple became more confident in promoting their products beyond their local community. Their craftsmanship, once known only to a few, was now being discovered and appreciated by a wider market.
What began as a quiet dream shared by two workers from Cagayan has grown into a thriving enterprise that creates livelihood opportunities, supports local families, preserves the artistry of Ilocano craftsmanship, and contributes to the growth of the regional economy.
Today, Julie and Rosana are setting their sights on the next chapter of their journey. They plan to expand their production area and establish a dedicated showroom where customers can experience and appreciate their handcrafted furniture. They also continue to participate in DTI trainings, recognizing that growth comes not only from experience but from the willingness to keep learning.
For Rosana, every challenge has been part of the journey. Her experience has taught her that entrepreneurship is built on perseverance, continuous learning, and the courage to seize opportunities. With the quiet confidence of someone who has lived through the struggles and triumphs of building a business, she shares this message with aspiring entrepreneurs:
"Don't be afraid to start small. Keep learning, stay humble, build sincere relationships, and grab every opportunity, especially those offered by DTI. Business is not just about earning; it's also about making a difference in the lives of others."
