Brief History

In 1968, to provide livelihood for two young men, Carlo Degasperi (an Italian focolarino) started a small workshop in Bangkal, Makati. Clients came to see them for repair of chairs, tables, beds and other woodworks. Before long, they were already making new furniture. The demand for their services and work became numerous. Carlo invited more young men to train and to work.

In 1989, with a financial grant from an Italian NGO, a modern facility was built in Cainta, Rizal. On May 21, 1991 the late President Corazon C. Aquino, with the assistance of several officials, inaugurated the new site of the Focolare Carpentry Training Center (FCTC).

In 1995, the Bureau of Non-Formal Education of the Department of Education Culture and Sports awarded a certificate of recognition to the FCTC. In 1997, the FCTC signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for a community-based training program in furniture carpentry.

Legacy

In January 2017, FCTC entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with SJTC MANUFACTURING, INC.

FCTC continues its advocacy to share values and to provide training and skills in furniture carpentry to out-of-school youth.

SJTC continues with the time-honored and time-tested tradition of manufacturing high quality, custom-made furniture associated with the name Focolare Carpentry. The company remains vigilant to maintain ethical business standards and practices in its pursuit to generate profits for sustainability and growth, together with its employees.

FCTC and SJTC are equally committed to be faithful to their designs to be concrete expressions, and to contribute, towards the fulfillment of the last testament of Jesus – “That all may be ONE.”