About CDO Handmade Paper Crafts

The Designer

The founder and designer Lolita B. Cabanlet, has traveled to her dream cities all over the world and have imbibed the taste and style of her consumers in the global market.

Her artistry and creativity bring grace and beauty into the designs of products that are inspired by happy contrasts of : old and new; perfect and imperfect; function and aesthetic; smooth and rough; straight and oblique; bright and subdued; joyous and soulful.

When asked about how and when a design takes its final shape, she said " whenever I feel that I should do more, but prefer to do less".

The Paper Makers and Craftsmen

The Handmade Paper Makers are refreshing artists whose touch for finer points are reflected in the never ending weaves of natural fibers, rich colors and textures of handmade paper.

The Craftsmen are consistent in their workmanship and attention to detail. Their execution of designs are flawless and seamless. Each product breathes quality and perfection.

With product designs and quality combined as its competitive edge, CAGAYAN DE ORO HANDMADE PAPER CRAFTS has attracted buyers from Europe, United States of America, Japan and Saudi Arabia.

Herstory

The Cagayan de Oro Handmade Paper Crafts (CDO HMPC) started in 1993 as a hobby of Lolita B. Cabanlet, the wife of the Proprietor. Her love for beautiful and creative things was the main reason for its inception. From her personal funds she bought a blender and some materials needed for paper making. With the support of her husband, Atty. Virgilio J. Cabanlet who gave her the additional capital, the handmade paper making began in her kitchen. After three broken blenders, she has decided to pursue the lengths and widths of handmade paper in the confines of her home at Mandumol, Macasandig, Cagayan de Oro City.

The Department of Trade and Industry of Region 10 (DTI-10) took notice of her creations such that she was encouraged to attend regional and national trade fairs. She was also inspired to aim for the foreign market knowing that there were many handmade paper makers in several parts of the country who are engaged in the export trade. It took the CDO-HMPC four years to prepare for the export market. During the first few months, paper making started in the kitchen, then it was transferred to the garage, then later moved to a vacant lot fronting the house of one of the workers. On the fourth year, the business moved to a 2 storey building which housed both the paper making and crafts offices. The profits gained for the first 3 years were reverted back to fund the construction of the building which was built on a 360 sq.m. lot owned by the couple. Seven years later, the business transferred offices to Barra, Misamis Oriental, where a two storey building was constructed on a 1,000 sq.m. lot purchased from the proceeds of the business.

The CDO HMPC had participated in 14 International Fairs organized by CITEM-DTI called Fashion Accessories Market Encounter or FAME International Gifts and Houseware Shows where they successfully attracted foreign buyers from Belgium, France, Italy, USA, Japan, Australia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahamas and Canada. Its high quality craftsmanship and unique designs have given them the competitive edge in an otherwise highly volatile market.

Coping with the increasing orders had become its main challenge on its 6th year of operations. The much needed technology for a highly efficient and cost effective handmade paper making was introduced by the Department of Science and Technology , of Region 10. DOST 10 saw the potential of CDO HMPC and have granted loans for the installation of hot plate dryers, motorized beaters, presser and roller. Five years later, another loan was granted for the upgrading of paper making equipment. On the other hand, the Foundation for Sustainable Society, Inc. ( FSSI) has given tremendous break to the company by opening venues for implementing social development component of the business as well as awareness in environment- friendly processes.

Today, on its 12th year of existence, the CDO HMPC has grown from a Single Proprietorship into a Corporation registered with the SEC, now called the Cagayan de Oro Handmade Paper Crafts, Inc. (CDO HMPC Inc.). With the aim to sustain its present market, CDOHMP,Inc is poised to conquer the new emerging markets with so much resolve to bring the handmade paper which began in a mother's kitchen to the high end retail outlets worldwide.