As an adult, she followed her passion and finally worked as a dressmaker. Her neighbors would often come to her house and ask her to make them curtains. Every opening of classes, she is the go-to person of the parents of the San Fernando Elementary School pupils. Rowena is the one they trust to make their children’s uniforms.

For five years, she worked at a dress shop near Antique National School (ANS). Not only did she sew the ANS uniform, she also helped in making costumes for the students during school events. She has also created gowns for special occasions such as the Junior-Senior Prom. She said she earns around P500 to P1,000 per week for her creations.

Back in 2017, the Sustainable Livelihood Program conducted a Skills Training on Dressmaking. The training taught the participants sewing techniques and patterns. After the training, they were given sewing kits which included needles, threads, fabric and a sewing machine.

According to Rowena, the training was a huge help to her. It greatly enhanced her skills as a dressmaker as well as taught her new techniques.

During the lockdown in April and May this year, Rowena was able to produce around 50 personal protective equipment (PPEs) for the healthcare workers in the province. She also made masks with different designs for additional income. These masks were supplied in some sari-sari stores in San Fernando.

Through her work, she was able to send all her children to school. She also teaches her children how to sew and passed on her knowledge to them. She plans to buy a new high-speed sewing machine so she can work faster and make products of better quality. She dreams of building her own dress shop someday and become a supplier of ready-made clothes in San Jose.#

“Mula sa PagSibol hanggang sa PagSulong!”