Childhood memories stick with us
throughout our lives
Before the advent of digital screens and
electronic gadgets, childhood summers were painted with blue skies, gentle
warm breezes, and the
pure happiness of running
wild in open fields. During
those days, the simplest
joys came from lying on
the grass or engaging in
a favorite pastime of many
Filipino children – kite flying.
Royland Dela
Cruz, from Tagaytay City,
Cavite, recalls these memories. Driven by a desire to
preserve this declining cultural activity, he embarked
in a kite-making business
to reintroduce the joy of
kite-flying to the younger
generation.
He was a high
school graduate and was
then seeking a job when
he found guidance in the
Kite Association of the
Philippines (KAP). They
equipped him with knowledge and hands-on experiences, mentoring him
until he was ready to manage his own kite shop. Every step of his journey was
an experiential learning as
he honed his craft and improved his skills in making
souvenir items.
Yet, like many
start-ups, acquiring initial capital is a challenge.
Fortunately, his wife is a
client of CARD SME Bank,
a thrift bank that offers
various financial products
to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises with
favorable interest rates.
“CARD SME Bank made
the loan repayment process so seamless that it
allowed clients like me to
save concurrently,” Royland shared.
Kite business is
seasonal in nature. Despite this, Royland remained undeterred. He
expanded his product
range to bracelets, coin
purses, and shell crafts,
making his store a unique
treasure trove for visitors.
“CARD SME Bank aids
in the sustainability of our
business. Souvenirs are
quite expensive, but I was
able to buy more stocks
with the loans I have,” he
said.
Today, as the
sole kite vendor in Picnic
Grove in Tagaytay, Royland remains steadfast in
A Sky…
his mission. He dreams
of skies once again dotted
with colorful kites just like
back in the day.
“For me, kite flying transcends being a
mere pastime,” he said.
“It is a tradition of bringing people together. It
demonstrates our innate
creativity, and a reminder
that happiness often lies in
life’s simplest pleasures,”
he concluded. PR
