Araneta City and its social responsibility arm The J. Amado Araneta Foundation (JAAF) honor Filipino entrepreneurs who navigate through the crisis and emerge stronger in its online campaign, #ResilientPinoy. Launched last 7 July, JAAF #ResilientPinoy features human interest stories of resilience and recovery.
The struggle is real during the COVID-19 pandemic – especially for micro, small, and medium scale industries that are not as well-resourced as large companies. With an invisible culprit, the business environment suddenly changed, and the norms are suddenly shaken. There were those who hit the bottom and quit, those who found new opportunities, and those who are resilient enough and bounced back. #ResilientPinoy is their story.
As a #ResilientPinoy, Junalyn didn’t lose hope in business. For her, you need to reflect, reassess, revisit, and tweak the business blueprint. Junalyn sees the future with lots of local eco-hub stocks to support women entrepreneurs like her. She’s now exploring online reselling to continue The Boholana Essentials in this time of crisis.
JUNALYN ALIVIO
The Boholana Essentials
Likhang Filipina, 3rd Level, Ali Mall, Araneta City
Telephone: 0977-1976170
Through Baguio Gawang Kamay, many families were provided jobs. The local crafters were able to send their children to school and provide food for their families, and they are more inspired to do more local products. Like the majority, Melinda and Baguio artisans got affected by the pandemic. “Mahirap. Ilang buwan ding walang benta. Gusto na naming pumunta sa Maynila para buksan ang tindahan. Hindi kami tumigil manalangin, at ang paggawa ng crafts, pinaghusayan pa namin nang husto.” They are now migrating their marketing online, aside from the physical store, through the leadership of Melinda.
MELINDA CASTRO
Baguio Gawang Kamay
Likhang Filipina, 3rd Level, Ali Mall, Araneta City
Mary Ann worked in a big restaurant chain for about 10 years until its closure due to the pandemic. With her 2 young children in mind, she thought, “paano ako makakahanap ng paraan ngayon para sa buwanang gastusin ng pamilya?” Even with the financial assistance, what if the lockdown continues? Within 2 months, Mary and her partner Mike Sabaulan started JBROTHERS RESTOGRILL in Marikina City, and a milk tea and waffle station (and online counterpart). They added healthy refreshing drinks at frozen ready-to-eat food packs, with paluto services. Now, Mary Ann and Mike are planning to setup their own meat shop.
MARY ANN SANTIAGO
JBrothers RestoGrill
41G Russet St. Corner Purple St.
SSS Village, Concepcion Dos, Marikina City
Telephone: 0915-3915567
Since the restaurant he was working for remains closed, Chef Joshua gets no income. Thinking of his family, Joshua went on to making and selling home-made table-top condiments and pizza. He is now producing fermented cayenne pepper sauce, chili garlic, sriracha, yellow habanero, salsa verde and pizza through his 4E Food Products and Lucho’s Flavor Food House. “I have to make my passion profitable. Ngayon, literal na passion feeds passion talaga. I am selling condiment sauces via Lazada and online also. Another opportunity came along nung nakipag-partner yung kaibigan kong may pizza business. Sabi ko “Iba ka talaga God! You are unexpectedly so good.”
JOSHUA PALO
4E Food Products and Lucho’s Flavor Food House
Dau, Mabalacat, Pampanga
FB Page: 4E Food Products
Contact Number: 09159116688
Email Address: joshuapalo06@gmail.com
Cathy was put in charge of the family business, Yong-A Oriental Duck Express, which had its grand opening a few days before the ECQ was imposed. The total lockdown left her with no choice but to temporarily cease operations. On June 10, Yong-A decided to reopen and adapt to the new normal – which means only take-outs, pick-ups, and deliveries. Foremost in their minds in saving the business were the employees who are affected and their families. “We had to shift our operations to an online approach. Taking advantage of technology, we adapted digital market strategies and integrated online and e-commerce platforms to reach out to our market conveniently. ROASTED DUCK EXPRESS by YONG-A came about. A product of the needs of the times, we have evolved. Necessary employees are working again. Yong-A has bounced back and evolved into Roasted Duck Express to emphasize the shift away from the dine-in services,” Cathy declared.
CATHERINE ANN LORENZO
Roasted Duck Express by Yong-A
Ground Floor Sekai Center Ortigas Avenue Corner Madison Street, San Juan City
Email Address : roastedduckexpress@gmail.com
Website: https://roastedduckexpress.com
Jonathan’s story can be summarized in a Facebook group page post he made last June 14: “Ako ay isang food and beverage cosultant sa mga newly-opened restaurants. I used to handle 20 restaurants before. Isang araw bigla na lang kaming tinakbuhan ng owner ng business, at kahit piso wala kaming nakuha. Sa umpisa, umasa na lang kami sa bigay para sa aking 5 anak – as young as 4 months old at meron din akong 3-year old. Umutang ako para mgkaroon ng konting puhunan. Gumagawa ako ng SIOMAI CHAHAN RICE WITH EGG at benebenta ko ng tig-Php55. Sa maliit na tubo, makakaipon ako para sa aming pang araw-araw na pangangailangan, lalo na sa mga anak ko. Manghihiram ako ng bike para makapag-deliver sa inyong mga tahanan.” John’s post garnered enough interest, not just likes and reactions, but actual orders. JHON MARCIO was born. Jonathan now gathers orders through the week and does deliveries on Sundays. His chahan rice with egg menu has since expanded and he now offers Pansit Malabon, varieties of chahan rice, and chicken wings in different flavors. Based in Muntinlupa City, Jhon Marcio caters to needs and does delivery all over the Metro.
JONATHAN DALIDA
Jhon Marcio
Facebook: Jhon Marcio https://www.facebook.com/naithan.gabriel
Address: Manggahan Itaas, Putatan, Muntinlupa City
Contact Number: 0966-7038362
Email Address: jonathandalida0@gmail.com
Published every Tuesday on the JAAF Facebook page, the stories in #ResilientPinoy feature spirited Pinoy entrepreneurs' inspiring tales to stay relevant, be tough, and went on with business at this time of the new normal.
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