Caroline Cipriano sat with ease in a yellow chair. More fondly called Banig, she enthusiastically shared how she managed her business despite the challenges during a live interview of Philippine Information Agency’s Talakayan sa PIA.

Banig is the proprietor of The Good Earth Citronella based in Cagayan de Oro City. The company manufactures all-natural citronella oil and citronella-based products from locally grown grass planted and harvested in Banig’s farm in Libona, Bukidnon, which she manages with her husband.

The business was inspired by her friend who introduced the prospect of natural citronella. This motivated her and her husband to return to the Philippines from working abroad and venture into the citronella distillation.

Banig’s confidence has always been visible right from the start as she displays her prowess as a woman in the field.

“Pagsugod og construct sa shed, sa distillation area, ako nagpurchase sa materyales. Ako musaka sa bukid magdrive (When the construction of the shed that will serve as the distillation area started, I, myself, was the one who bought the materials. I drove to the farm),” Banig recalled the start of her business. “Katong walay tubig, hakot mig tubig. Karga mig sagbot (When there was no water, we would fetch water. We would carry the grasses).”

“Imong ipakita na kaya jud nimo. Bisana babae ka, mugawas imong kusog (You have to show that you can do it. Even if you are a woman, your strength will show).”

Banig harvests and distills their own citronella. In 2016, their team decided to go into retail with citronella oil and citronella-based products such as lotion and home spray, which became their business’s bestseller products.

The business also experienced a disruption in the production process during the first few months of the pandemic. Aside from the shifting needs of the market, The Good Earth Citronella had problems with the supplies of bottles because the manufacturer from Manila stopped its production operations.  

“Struggle siya especially sa citronella nga kusog sa June (It was a struggle especially since citronella is in season during June),” Banig shared.

“Grabe among pangingkamot nga mangitag bisag unsa nalang; basta among goal, bahalag lahi ang sudlanan basta naay presence sa market. Even if times two ang presyo sa mga bottles, nipadayon lang gihapon mi bahala gamay ang margin basta kay padayon nga naa kay produkto (We did our best to look for other options. Our goal was to keep the presence in the market even if the bottle is different. Even if the bottles cost twice than the normal price, we continued production even if our margin is small, as long as there is a product in the market).”

“We had to look for alternatives everywhere just so we could give the impression to the market that we always have available stocks all the time,” she added.

Banig was also fortunate that no lay-offs had to be done with her team. The Good Earth Citronella was only a small business but she was able to apply for a small business wage subsidy which helped in providing financial assistance to her employees to help them get through the months their business stopped its operations.  

Additionally, the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Kapatid Mentor Me (KMME) program, taught Banig the importance of doing yearly planning and budgeting. It was in the program where she learned to market her products in the most appropriate way possible according to her target market and to always connect with people.

Today The Good Earth Citronella has marked its online presence through its own official website and social media pages. It is even present in major online selling platforms such as Shopee and Lazada.

Despite the ups and downs of the business, Banig continues to lead while being content with the simple fact that she can continue to share a meal and shelter with her husband and that they are both healthy.

These are the little things that make her grateful to be alive especially in this time of the pandemic. These are the little things that continue to mold her to who she is today—wife, entrepreneur, woman. ♦

Date of Release: 11 May 2021