Tumandok — "native inhabitant" in Hiligaynon

Josephine "Jojie" Locsin's journey began with a spark of inspiration from a local seminar. She founded Tumandok Crafts Industries, named "Tumandok" to honor the native community. Her vision was simple yet profound: transform local and waste materials into beautiful handicrafts like picture frames, vases, lamps, and tables. Each piece is lovingly handmade by artisans, fostering creativity and skill.

Tumandok started without a factory. The first production space was on a partner's lot along 10th Street Extension in Bago City, where the company registered with DTI. The factory kept moving depending on partnerships, but the work continued through relocations and changes.

Josephine declared that she would have only God as her partner in business — no more human partners. Later, she realized that God owns the business and she is just a steward. That same year, she established the company's own lamination factory in Barangay Central Ma-ao, Bago City, to provide jobs to relatives and community members affected by the closure of the sugar mill.

A fire damaged the factory. The workshop rebuilt and kept going, continuing to work with local materials and hands from Bago City.

Tumandok's current material focus is capiz shell — carefully treated and shaped into houseware and statement décor, a craft the company has developed since 1988. Earlier chapters of the workshop also worked with materials such as coco twigs, rice hull, dried tobacco leaves, coconut shell, coconut wood, and resin-laminated finishes. FACT TO CONFIRM: current full material lineup

Tumandok is showing its capiz shell collection at BÚ¡TLAK, the 40th Negros Trade Fair, September 22–27 at SMX Convention Center Aura, Taguig City.