Strong Catholic devotion for Our Lady of Manaoag in Manaoag, Pangasinan, both for locals and tourists, has opened great opportunity for candle industry to prosper in the area. A wide variety of candle design is sold by the locals on the street, brought home, and/or lit at the famous Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag’s Candle Gallery.

Seeing candle industry’s high market potential in the area, the Sustainable Livelihood Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 1 provided assistance to 60 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in the town through a 3-day Skills Training in October 2016. The program participants were later organized as Liwanag Sustainable Livelihood Program Association (SLPA). Right after their graduation, they were given a complete set of starter kits for their business.

Getting an edge over other candle makers, Liwanag SLPA members were taught to make unique delicately handcrafted scented candles sold at a very reasonable price. Their best seller designs include halo-halo candles, fruit cocktail design votive, and 7-day candles all sold at Php60.00 each. Other designs include Delarubia candles at Php35.00 each, Trio candles with rose design at P50.00 per pack, Manaoag Church floating candles sold at Php10.00 each, among others.

As early as now, the Liwanag SLPA is already accepting candle orders for Halloween as they will be doubling their manpower effort to produce and meet customers’ increasing demand. For orders, customers can contact SLPA President Samuel Manaois at 0921-214-8117 and 0929-145-1717.

To generate higher income, the Association aims of acquiring a molder for ordinary candles because of its low production cost but high market demand on regular business days.

Like a candle that can lit up a dark room, the business has started to light the bright future of the Liwanag SLPA members. (by: Janine Joy B. Altero, Social Marketing Officer, Sustainable Livelihood Program)