Mindanaotoday.com | Preserving tradition, crafting excellence: Maestrado’s journey as Camiguin’s first tablea maker
By: Recthie T. Paculba
CAMIGUIN – In the serene embrace of Camiguin, a woman’s resolute spirit and passion have given birth to a tradition that spans generations.
Meet Pura Maestrado, an 81-year-old artisan who has etched her name in the annals of Camiguin’s history as the first maker of tablea in the province. Her perseverance and love for her family have not only shaped a successful business but also preserved a treasured heritage.
Pura’s tale is one of resilience, born from a young widow’s yearning to provide for her family. “Sayo man gud kaayo ko nabawo unya wa man ko’y trabaho kay pagkaminyo nako, nagnegosyo, kanang wa gyud ko nakahuna-huna og trabaho so negosyo akong nahuna-hunaan [I became a widow at an early age, and I didn’t have a job when I got married, so I ventured into business. I haven’t thought of looking for a job; I just thought of doing business],” she fondly recalls.
The roots of Pura’s enterprise trace back to her parents, who initially embarked on the tablea-making journey. However, the endeavor took a pause when her father secured a job in Mambajao, leaving behind the family trade. It wasn’t until Pura’s own marriage that the seeds of revitalization were sown.
Settling in Butuan after her wedding, Pura’s heart remained tethered to her beloved Camiguin. With her determination to raise her children in Camiguin, she returned and resurrected her family’s tablea-making legacy.
“So kaluoy sa Diyos, ni-click man pud, nakapa-eskwela ko sa akong mga anak hangtod sa mga apo so nagpadayon gyud ang akong pagpanableya ug gihimo gyud ni nakong propesyon ang pagpanableya [In God’s grace, the business clicked. I was able to send my children to school, even my grandchildren. Thus, I continued making tablea, and I really made it my profession],” Pura shares.
Pura’s dedication to tradition is mirrored in her approach to tablea-making, executed in the same time-honored manner as her mother before her. Every movement and gesture is a testament to the artistry of the past, and even their grinders are the same ones that her late mother used. From sourcing quality cacao beans to washing, drying, roasting, and winnowing, Pura and her team uphold the essence of tablea-making passed down through generations.
The fruits of Pura’s labor grace tables in the form of meticulously crafted tablea products, packaged with love and care. As of August 2023, their offerings range from 320-gram packs for P80, P900 per kilo, to P450 per half kilo.
Despite her success, Pura faces challenges, particularly in sourcing cacao beans of consistent quality. Their reliance on Davao for cacao supply sometimes leads to delays, inconveniencing their eager customers. Furthermore, competition in the province from other tablea makers adds another layer of complexity to her business.
“Pareha ra man mi og pamaagi unya ang kalainan naa sa sa kahumot, sa texture. Ang among ikapasigarbo ang kahumot ug ka pino [Tablea makers here have the same way of making tablea; they differ only in the scent and texture. What we are very proud of is our product’s scent and fine texture],” Pura proudly states.
Looking to the future, Pura dreams of expanding her reach beyond the borders of Camiguin, even exploring opportunities for exporting her products. Though challenges have presented themselves, Pura’s spirit remains undaunted.
With the unwavering support of the Provincial Government of Camiguin and the Department of Trade and Industry as an assisted micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME), Pura’s tablea products have found their way into trade fairs and displays, giving her a platform to showcase the fruits of her labor and the legacy she carries forward.
Pura Maestrado’s journey is a testament to the enduring power of passion and tradition. Her story stands as an inspiration to all, a reminder that the pursuit of excellence and the preservation of heritage are endeavors that transcend time and leave an indelible mark on the fabric of a community. (RTP/PIA-10/Camiguin)
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