JACKELENE MEDALLON
COCONUT SHELL, A GRACE THAT BROUGHT HOPE
by: AACope|2021
Jackelene Medallon is a well-known humble and God-centered person. She always thinks positively because of her faith and strong relationship with God. Because of this, she was blessed with a family with strong faith in God, strong relationship, unity, and teamwork. She was also blessed with a talented husband and children.
When they rented a building located at Brgy. Sabang, Legazpi City, where they established a Born Again Christian church, she and her husband started manufacturing whiteboards, blackboards, and file boxes. They also added a food manufacturing business by making pasalubong delicacies such as turmeric tea, ginger tea, pili nut candies, salted pili nuts, and pastillas. It was the time when the said barangay suffered a lot from the cause of poverty. They established these two (2) enterprises because of their intent to help their fellow residents at Brgy. Sto. Niño Bacon District, Sorsogon City. When they reached more customers, they had bulk orders. They needed an increase of manpower, thus, they hired their interested fellow residents with the benefit of free meals.
Unfortunately, while enjoying the success of their business, Jackelene had an accident. She was accidentally fell from the second floor of the building where they are residing. Her family prioritized first her health condition. For the sake of her fast recovery, they returned to their hometown because she needs an environment suitable for her healing process. Jackelene, having a strong faith, prayed a lot for her fast recovery. “Sinabi ko sa Panginoon, tulungan mo akong makalakad muli dahil gusto ko pang makatulong sa mga nangangailangan. Tulungan mo po akong makaahon dahil gusto kong tumulong. Bigyan nyo po kami ng mapagkakakitaan kung saan hindi lang kami ang matutulungan kundi pati ang aming kapwa. Tulungan mo po ako Panginoon na ipagpatuloy ang aking pagtulong. Gabayan mo po at ang aking pamilya na makaahon” (I prayed to God, “Lord help me to walk again because I want to help those who are in need. Help me to rise because I want to help. Give us a source of income that will not just help us but also others. Help me Lord to continue helping others. Guide me and my family to rise.) In God’s grace and His healing power, Jackelene was healed.
His second eldest child, Archie Medallon, is very artistic. His dream is to be an architect someday. While studying in Sto. Niño Elementary School, as a passion and hobby, young Archie built a house model made of coco shell. She brought it to her mother and proposed it as a potential income-generating source. One of their customers, a native of Malinao, Albay, discovered and bought it when he visited Medallon’s rented house in Legazpi City. With an initial capital of one thousand pesos (1, 000.00), their coco shell handicraft manufacturing business started when the said customer had an interest in coco shell handicraft and ordered bulk orders of the scratcher. It was followed by a bulk of orders of coco shell ladle. This business made her husband discover his hidden talent and improve his skills in designing coco shell handicraft products. Because of this, they accept youth who are less fortunate to work as part-timers so that they could sustain their educational needs. At the same time, she also conducts bible study for the youth. “Ang mga kabataan na gustong magpart-time sa amin, tinatanggap ko. Lalo na kung summer, marami silang nagtatrabaho dito para pag may pasok o pagdating ng pasukan, may pambaon sila o panggastos sa kanilang mga project. Nagba-bible study din ako sa kanila.” (I accept those youth who are interested in working. Particularly during summer, most of them work here so that when the class begins, they have money to sustain their educational needs.) At present, they have an established market in Daraga and Legazpi City.
COVID-19 pandemic is the greatest challenge to them because of the travel restrictions and low demand for coco shell handicrafts. However, God never failed Jackelene. Jackelene Medallon was assisted by JMH Microfinance, Inc. in terms of DTI Business Name registration and BMBE registration. Because of this, Bagol Krafts and Souvenir Shop was born.
She was also assisted to join the online marketplace of DTI Negosyo Center Sorsogon City for product promotion and marketing. When her eldest child, Echany Diolata, became active in online selling of their product through Facebook, one of the residents of Bacon District discovered and purchased their products, and started selling them in Sorsogon. It was an opportunity for them to promote their products in Sorsogon.
Jackelene and her family established their business with dedication, generosity, and a passion to help others. Their business is not for self-interest, but for the welfare of others.