TANAUAN, Leyte – Despite massive unemployment during the economic slowdown, two bamboo furniture makers are keeping an optimistic view this summer.

Long-time friends Leo Monte and Danny Advincula, who have been making a living out of bamboo or "tangnan" for almost 20 years, said that they expect an increase in their income this summer with a projected rise in demand in the local market.

“Fiestas will be on again. People of course will start spending on furniture, especially since it’s summer, they don’t have school fees to mind,” Advincula said.
 
According to Danny, when demand is high, their income would amount to P5,000 a month. When demand is low, they earn at least P3,000 a month.

From Tanauan town, their products are traded in various parts of the region and even the entire country. They said their next target is selling in the international market.

Advincula said they are still planning this effort with the help of their cooperative, which is set to conduct seminars on improving the bamboo furniture craft.
 
“We hope it would be realized because that would mean bigger income for our families,” Monte said.