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[hakobesirius]

PANADERIAS’ CLASSIC PASTRIES: BUILDING AND GROWING A FOOD BUSINESS

Breads provide comfort and happiness—the inviting smell, the fascinating presentation, the tempting taste, and the soft texture of bread are what make it more delicious. There are numerous panaderias (a Filipino word for Bakeries) offering a different variety of breads. These breads are not just affordable but are also palatable. In the Philippines, bakeries have countless breads to sell including the famous pandesal, pan de coco, putok, kababayan, monay, spansih bread, kalihim, pianono, and such. We consume these pastries every day.

Panaderias here are excellent in baking pastries. Most of the bakeries achieve good quality of a bread that every consumers would wish for. Not to mention the pleasant attitude of the employees.

My close friend and I would look for a bakery to buy something new and freshly baked bread. We would walk really long just to satisfy our cravings. I grew up eating pandesal as my breakfast partnered with a hot chocolate drink. Recently, there is one bakery near to our house selling an ube pandesal and its price is only seven pesos (₱ 7.00). We would comeback there every 6:00 PM just to buy it. The oozing cheese and ube filling are what I really like in this bread. As you have your first bite, there is no way you cannot stop it. My friend would question me how on mars I ate all those in just a snap.

Ube pandesal is not actually that relevant in Filipino bakeries. It becomes famous and relevant when the pandemic hit. A lot of entrepreneurs started to sell something new that would be something very profitable online. This bread has featured in different television shows including Kapuso mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS). I bet I was not the only one who craved watching the episode but also other avid viewers too.

If you do not know, Philippines’ delectable Ube Pandesal is a classic bread roll filled with purple yam and cheese. This pastry is good and delicious for snack or breakfast.

Since Coronavirus disease or COVID-19 has affected a lot of people resulting to unemployment. These people thought of a business that could help us earn money for a living. As the pastry, the Ube pandesal becomes relevant; it could be a way to build and grow a business related to it.

People know that in building a business is not an easy decision; it must be well-planned because the owner or the entrepreneur would risk a quiet large amount of money for good investment but aspiring entrepreneur like me could start in a very small, then, grow it after having a successful journey.

Food is our primary need; the reason why building a food business is profitable. Here are the reasons how could one effectively build one:

Choose a specific type of food you want to offer; it can be pastries like I mentioned earlier.

Look for long term resources beneficial for you and your growing business.

Forecast your business possible strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threat known as SWOT.

[hakobesirius]

BIBINGKA AND PUTO BUMBONG: FINEST CHRISTMAS RICE CAKES

It is only the first (1st) quarter of the year. There are still three (3) remaining quarters to welcome New Year. There are still more time to enjoy every months of the year 2022. People still can enjoy every moment together with their family and friends; to embark on a new adventures and create lifetime memories. Every New Year starts, I would immediately looks forward to my favorite holiday that really has a special place in my heart; Christmas Day. The day when we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. The day when happiness has no end. The day when the word full no longer exists in our vocabulary because you can’t really avoid eating delicious food every Christmas Day. As we, the Filipinos mark –ber months (September, October, November, and December) as the start of the Christmas countdown, the ever-famous and nostalgic smell of Bibingka and Puto Bumbong would remind us that it is almost Christmas Day though there are still few months left to celebrate it.

What are these Christmas delicacies? Bibingka is just one of the few famous rice cakes in the Philippines; a soft and cushioned rice cake cooked in a pot lined with banana leaves. Its aroma is just as addicting as someone puts magic potion in you. On the other hand, Puto Bumbong is also a rice cake; violet in color steamed in a bamboo tubes topped with cheese and grated coconut.

Pre-pandemic just hits really different when the season of Christmas is coming. I would wish my schedule in school was Afternoon shift so the dismissal would be around 6:00 PM and I could smell and buy my favorite Bibingka and Puto Bumbong. What is more, every mass around months of September to November and Simbang Gabi when December comes, you would see countless vendors selling these tasty and mouthwatering kakanin. The feeling you could not explain when you start eating it hot along with your family and friends is just that a feeling you would miss after the Christmas season ends.

When Misa de Gallo ends, numerous Filipino would wait for a minutes to hour/s to have the two classic rice cakes every Christmas; Bibingka and Puto Bumbong. Our family often asks for reservation because most of the time these two rice cakes (kakanin) sell out really fast and it just Christmas evening is not complete without having it in our table.

If someone is planning to build a seasonal business, you could sell these rice cakes during the Christmas season as Filipino people would really waited for a months to finally have these kakanin again. This time, it is not just about how much you earn but it also about how you were able to create an unexpected relationship and connection with your customers; not to mention the nostalgic feeling you would feel after the holiday ends. Puto Bumbong and Bibingka make Christmas season more special and memorable. The smell, taste, and appearance would make you feel of an exceptional happiness.

[hakobesirius]

RC COLA ADVERTISEMENT: THE INTERESTING BIZARRE AND DISTINCTIVE CONCEPT OF THE BRAND

Stress over school works, personal matters, and job career. The pressure has beaten people in physical health and mental wellbeing. One way to free our mind from all of these problems is to find a comfort place and rest there for a while. People would probably look for a delicious snacks and open television and watch their favorite series. Have you ever experienced watching your favorite television series but the length of that series is shorter than the length of the advertisements shown? It feels irritating, right? However, some advertisements just really entertaining and engaging because of its quirky concept and/or idea.

There are numerous brands advertised through the help of different media including television. The companies are expecting to get their expected engagement from the viewers. However, the attention span of some audiences is not that long unless the concept put in the created advertisement is interesting and has the ability to capture the attention of the viewers. Creative people behind the different commercials we have seen must applied different codes and conventions⁠—may it be technical, visual or written. I just cannot deny that most of the advertisements nowadays are monotonous and unexciting—concepts are copied and repetitive. However, there is one advertisement captured my interest because of its distinctive and special concepts; it is weird but at the same time witty. I am talking about the advertisement of RC Cola.

I have seen the advertisement in December 2020 but RC Cola released it in late November 2020. The commercial went viral and trended on different online platforms. The advertisement shows how the boy confronted his mom because of the unusual thing in his back; four drinking glasses. And later, the mom revealed her little secret too which her head is actually a bottle of RC Cola. The film ended with family enjoying the RC Cola sipping into the boy’s drinking glass filled with the mother’s RC Cola.

After the impressive concept of RC Cola, they gained high engagement from the advertisement. A lot of netizens have expressed their views about the RC Cola’s commercial; there were audiences felt terrified, amazed, surprised, and mixed emotions. Undeniably, the people behind this famous advertisement made a remarkable and engaging commercial. They have captured the attention of people, have evoked the emotion of viewers towards the film, and have promoted the product effectively and efficiently.

This kind of advertisement really helps people to at least forget their problems that have been bothering and stressing them.

Netizens and viewers know how really hard making this stuffs are. It is no easy to produce something without them pouring their knowledge and efforts to it. The idea to actual output of the advertisement is already amazing and applaudable.

Here are some of the few reasons of firms why they do Advertisements:

· To persuade potential buyers

· To promote the product

· To increase brand awareness

· To provide viewers knowledge about the brand and product

Company that prioritizes their target audiences’ preferences leads to a successful promotion.

[hakobesirius]

BLACK SAPOTE: THE VIRAL FRUIT

It is nice to have a healthy lifestyle especially there is a deadly disease called Coronavirus disease or COVID-19. Nowadays, people would consider exercising for the benefit of combatting health conditions and diseases. Furthermore, they would consume less unhealthy foods with too much salts and sugars. They are disciplined and would have a healthy diet. It is very common to eat fruits and vegetables for them to get its nutrients. Recently, there is a specific fruit that made netizens go wild because of its unusual appearance and taste. This viral fruit is actually called Black Sapote. The fruit went viral after someone shared his thoughts about the fruit. The video of him has made every netizens curious.

Black Sapote or Black Persimmon is a fruit which is very common in Americas especially in Mexico, Colombia, and Central America. The word sapote is a Spanish word means soft fruit. The fruit is famous because of its taste similar to a chocolate pudding. The said fruit contains Vitamin C which has a countless benefits including the following: (A) It maintains healthy skin because it has the benefit of healing wounds, (B) the health benefit is vital; as it repairs, develops, and grows body tissues, and whatnot.

As the fruit receives huge recognition from many people, it leads to a detailed and scientific research for the contribution to the developing knowledge in a related field of study. According to Michelle Blackwood, there is hardly any details and information about Sapote online because the fruit is poorly understood and there is an unrecognized characteristics of it that would make it something unworthy. However, as it receiving its attention, it is expected that countless professionals would consider studying it.

I was scrolling through my Tiktok and this video popped up, a taste-test clip of Black sapote. The fruit received a lot of compliment from the creator. However, several creators who tasted this fruit said it was not taste anything like a chocolate pudding, it was completely tasteless. Some says, it tastes like a star apple. I am certain that these people, probably, just have different taste buds. Majority said, taste like a chocolate pudding.

Humans may have different statements about the renowned fruit called Black Sapote or Black Persimmon—may it be about the health benefits that the fruit has, its different appearance that is incomparable to other fruits or its taste that is alike to the flavor of a chocolate pudding but only one thing is for sure that our God created such masterpiece; He has created a fruit that is uniquely made by his hands.

Have you guys already tasted the fruit? If yes, how does it taste like? Does it taste like a chocolate pudding or not at all? If no, we are same, I have not tasted the fruit yet but I am looking forward to taste it sooner or later. Let us all enjoy the time we could still have the choice to be healthy and walk through active lifestyle.

[hakobesirius]

SUNDOT KULANGOT: WHEN THE UNIQUENESS OF PRODUCT NAME INFLUENCES THE PURCHASING BEHAVIOR OF CONSUMERS

Time has passed. Months have passed. Years have passed. However, memories stay forever. Back in Elementary, my late Mama would always let me bring generous amount of foods—her kindness is matchless and she would always say, “No mothers would let their children go hungry, eat these foods and share it to your classmates.” What is more, my Papa would give us ten pesos (₱ 10.00) for us to buy what we want in our School canteen. There were countless sidewalk businesses outside in our School but there was only one candy I would spend my ten pesos (₱ 10.00) with, Sundot Kulangot translated as Picking Boogers in English. This sweet pasalubong item that tourists would consider buying in Baguio City has its own version in San Mateo, Rizal. Sundot Kulangot in Baguio City is packed in a shape of mini ball whereas in my town, this flavorful delicacy comes in a stick dip in a chocolate powder that you can buy for only five pesos to ten pesos (₱ 5.00–10.00) only.

Sundot Kulangot is a sweet candy made from coconut jam that is really popular in the City of Pines and Summer Capital of the Philippines, Baguio City.

Lunch time and class dismissal were the only time we could buy our ever-favorite Sundot Kulangot. Pupils in our school were already recognized by the vendor as these students would spend their whole allowance for the famous Sundot Kulangot. There were instances, Sundot Kulangot was already sold out in a very short time considering we would come early to buy one.

The name of the candy sounds weird and unappetizing but the humor and creativity of whoever created it just made people curious about it—and it is a good thing especially if you want to captivate the attention of consumers. When I first heard about the name, I found it interesting and uniquely beautiful.

One factor I would say why this candy was very famous in my former school is because of its taste. Considering we were just kids before, we loved eating anything sweet and affordable. Furthermore, Sundot Kulangot in Baguio City is still relevant because of tourists or visitors’ sensory aspects, likewise back when we were kids, people in all ages could still enjoy this as long as this provides them happiness and satisfaction.

Who would have thought that a picking booger is actually a candy made from a sweet coconut jam; no one unless people have heard the candy before. And if people find out it is actually a delicacy, they would try it for sure.

Business strategies really work if ideas are distinctive and very uncommon if you would compare to your competitors. People as consumers look for something that would make them satisfied. The satisfaction of consumers is what made businesses grow.

Now, if you get the chance to try the renowned delicacy of Baguio City without even going there, consider yourself lucky as there is hardly any vendors would sell this except Baguio.

[hakobesirius]

THE IMPOSSIBLE BOTTLE: BEAUTY BEHIND ART

One’s home becomes memorable and unique when the art inside it changes your mood. Family loves decorating their personal spaces to create their own world that is different from the others. The elements put inside the home is placed according to the desire of the owners as they want to have a feeling of ownership and sense of comfort. I am certain that some of you feels uncomfortable doing your daily routine in a different places because your own home provides different comfort to you. I have no doubt that the décor designed and organized in your place play a big role.

As I was scrolling through my Social Media, I found this interesting post about an old man doing an almost impossible art craft that only few could do because of its complexity. This beautiful art is called The Impossible Bottle—an object inside a bottle that seems too big to fit in the bottle’s mouth because of its small size. Can anyone imagine, how is that even possible? This becomes interesting to me as our family owns one. I was still young back then when I saw that masterpiece and I really felt confused and astonished as I was trying to figure out how was that became even possible.

It is a great ease and relief when I found how creative and artistic people make The Impossible Bottle. The process of making the masterpiece is no joke as it is intricating and the artists shall have a lot of patience and determination to successfully create one. The object inside the bottle is assembled as the parts are in a puzzle form and the activity is almost impossible to accomplish, that is why it is called The Impossible Bottle.

A lot of artists sell this type of artwork. And, it appears that there is hardly any people appreciate the art. The beauty behind this exquisite art is something that is really hard to produce. The sweat of people behind this; as they grasp at straws just to create this, is commendable, only people to depreciate its value.

The efforts, time, and delicateness put in making The Impossible Bottle speak great skills and character. Above all, the art expresses the emotion of an artists that is meant for people to understand and interpret it. I firmly believe that most of the people nowadays, know that art is communication. It has no words nor voices for you to read and hear. However, people’s naked eyes help you to feel the message that the arts want to convey. The expression of people is how the artists want to have.

Impossible Bottle is an adventure of getting through the senses of people to have them feel sensitive enough with the art in it.

Simply, the expressive imagination of humankind is what makes the art more special and exceptional. A simple appreciation from them is a value that every talented and matchless artists looking for. Connect yourself through art and establish a significant interrelation.

[hakobesirius]

HALO-HALO: EVERY FILIPINO GUILTY PLEASURE DESSERT WHEN SUMMER HITS

Summer is not complete without the famous Halo-Halo of the Philippines. On March 16, 2022, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) officially announces start of dry season in the country. This only means that few Filipinos would start scrolling through their gadgets finding best summer destinations. Perhaps a number of entrepreneurs would think of a best cold desserts they could add to their menu since Filipinos are really into sweet, cold and refreshing desserts. The well-known dessert consisting of various ingredients involving sweetened saba banana, beans, jellies that comes in a different colors, sweet potato, ice cream, leche plan, ube, evaporated milk, and crashed ice is called Halo-Halo —the word is translated in English as “Mix-mix.”

When dry season hits and you walk upon the streets and every corner of the Philippines, you will see a lot of people selling Halo-Halo. You just can’t stop yourself from buying it as this dessert really is flavorsome. Furthermore, there are also restaurants that offer Halo-Halo like Chowking, Mang Inasal, Razon, and so forth. This Filipino dessert made foreigners curious about how the dessert taste like and why it is very popular in the country. The 2nd most-used search engine and social media platform Youtube is where these foreigners upload their impression in Halo-Halo. Some foreign vloggers eat it in a wrong way and few, surprisingly, eat it in a correct way.

People often ask, “How profitable selling seasonal product is?” Halo-Halo is just one of the seasonal product sell when summer hits except some restaurants which regularly sell Halo-Halo such firms mentioned earlier. An entrepreneur thinking of building his/her small seasonal business within his/her community to sell Halo-Halo can both an advantage and disadvantage. The advantages on operating this kind of business are the following: (A) the business being seasonal means the entrepreneur has a lot of time to think of a good strategy to gain profit and conceptualize appealing, trendy, and impactful product. (B) It is not energy-draining, you have more time to relax, rest, and hibernate. On the other hand, the disadvantages are the following: (A) this type of business is risky and stressful. The consumers’ purchasing behavior changes over time, the business you may trying to build could not possibly meet the preferences of the consumers. (B) Since the opening of the business is seasonal, the customer engagement is not that high. And this is connected to the third disadvantage which is (C) lower income. It is very unlikely to foster customers’ loyalty especially if the relationship between the entrepreneur and consumers is very weak and this results to low earnings of a firm.

Growing your small business is not just all about gaining profit but it is also about gaining experiences that will probably a good teacher you can have in enhancing and improving your business. Sweats, sunburns, and foul smell are usually the worst thing in summer but a cup of your favorite Halo-Halo changes everything—have one and refresh your mind with its sweetness.

[hakobesirius]

LOLA NENA’S BAKERY: CAPTIVATED AND DROOL-INDUCED OVER THE SHOP’S BAKED GOODS

Grandparents are supportive, welcoming, and kind. They don’t let the day ends without serving mouthwatering foods to their family especially to their grandchildren. Undeniably, the most obvious reason why children are kindhearted is because they grew up with their Lolo and Lola along with parents.

Recently, video-sharing application Tiktok has been allowing users to upload variety contents that could help people have entertainment such as dance craze, pranks, funny or serious stints—the application is also very useful to entrepreneurs to promote their businesses.

Lola Nena’s Bakeshop is known for its drool-inducing and tempting baked goods including their famous doughnut and pichi-pichi. The shop is also renowned for its nice staffs and very inspiring story behind the success of Lola Nena’s Bakeshop. With the help of the short-form online application Tiktok, Lola Nena’s Bakeshop has grown their shop’s customer base. A lot of people have been searching for the nearest branch of the store in their location just to have the very delectable baked goods of Lola Nena’s. Filipino Tiktok users have been complementing the product because of its taste that lets you feel the care of our Grandmothers. The flavor really hits differently when the visual of the bread matches the taste of it because customers don’t really want to eat something appealing but horrible in taste. Good overall ratings and food reviews have helped Lola Nena’s to improve the store’s reputation and increase their sales.

Social Media Personality Nicole Caluag is famous for her “Ulam of the day,” fitness lifestyle, and other food related contents. Tiktok creator Nicole once posted about Lola Nena’s doughnuts, the video showed how she really feels satisfied with the baked goods. The video she uploaded on Tiktok has featured in every users “For You Page” and reached millions of users—most of these were actually her fans. Knowing that people are very curious in nature, an urge to try the baked goods arose. Aside from the fact that Lola Nena’s baked goods are really delectable which is the reason why they are able to foster customer’s loyalty, Nicole’s influence also impacts the purchasing behavior of the consumers.

The shop’s name “Lola Nena’s” is actually the name of the co-owner’s great-grandmother Nena Del Rosario Teotico. The business started in 2012 and likewise with other business, Lola Nena’s experienced struggles and later closed the shop just two months after their soft opening. Now, the shop is getting its recognition they worked hard for. Their touching and inspiring story proves that business struggles and challenges really come after you to provide lifetime lessons which make you wiser, better, and tougher.

We can’t deny how food really helps us to be happy and full. In this world, we are given a lot of options but among these options, only one will stand out and that surely would be our option in a crossroad of choices. In Philippines, Lola Nena’s has been one of many Filipinos choice as this bakery stood out among the rest—energy draws attention.

[hakobesirius]

DO WHAT YOU CAN’T: COMPELLING BRAND TAGLINE OF SAMSUNG

Have you ever doubted yourself? Do you feel limited and incapable? Do you only recognize negative in everything? Have you asked yourself once on how will you stop seeing negatives and rather focus on positives? Questions. Out of the blue, these group of men asked me about these questions and I responded with a simple but powerful word “Yes!”

People become interested in a brand that contains appealing, creative, amusing, and inspirational tagline. “Move the way you want,” “Finger lickin’ good,” Betcha can’t eat just one,” “Save money. Live better,” “Just Do It,” and such. These taglines are designed to introduce their brand in a way potential buyers will remember and recognize it easily. Among brand taglines I have seen, the brand tagline of Samsung always amazes me—“Do what you can’t.” Samsung offers excellent products that are worth-investing for. Furthermore, the service are commendable.

“Do what you can’t.” Interesting philosophy, it is. It may not work at all times but this straightforward and captivating motto is a noteworthy message for people to make impossible possible. People know themselves more than others do. However, sometimes, the idea of the logic “I know better” limits oneself. “Oh, declamation contest? No, I can’t. I have stage frights.” “Theater play? Never. I am horrible in acting.” You have already closed the door of opportunity before it benefits you. You have already declined new things without even trying it. Basically, you see things and new adventures as impossible as sun getting cold.

Apart from Samsung’s incomparable products possessing features where you can do what you can’t, the brand also promotes self-esteem. Here are the reasons on how this tagline will help Samsung attract potential buyers:

·         Simple but compelling. The four (4) words say thousand meanings.

·         Recognizable, it what makes the tagline easy to remember.

·         Unique and powerful. The tagline contains word of wisdom.

·         Inspirational. The company’s brand connects and builds everlasting          relationship to customers.

·         Uplifting. Promotes positive message.

Fears and Anxiety make you feel everything is impossible. It manipulate people and make them think they are not capable of doing something that could change one thing. The fears and anxiety in you don’t only fool you from saying you are limited, it also maneuvering your life little by little. Seemingly, these two are hard to overcome as these may are both an effects of a traumatized individual. Slowly, if people do what they can’t, attempt to try new things, and don’t fear mistakes anymore, then, sure enough, they will succeed.

Brands like Samsung don’t only aim to increase their product’s market share but they also aim to strengthen and disseminate promotional messages.

The Samsung and its workers put a lot of efforts to come up with such galvanizing, smart and encouraging brand tagline—needless to say, the brand effortlessly used effective brainstorming techniques and strategies to foster customer loyalty and capture their attention through a motto and/or slogan.

You will really know how Samsung perform successfully when consumers only know good words to them.

[hakobesirius]

THRIFT SHOP: AWAKENING CREATIVE FASHION STYLE

We introduce ourselves through fashion. We express ourselves through a piece of cloth and accessory. The role of these fashionable outfits is to represent what we truly are. The most influential fashion icon I know is Rihanna. She does not only convey her emotions through music but also in fashion. Rihanna knows how to create fashion trends—color schemes, fabric texture, attire designs and details and whatnot are the fashion elements she considered to stand out from the crowd.

Pinterest provides fashion trends and ideas. This visual platform gives pinners engaging and fun contents that are effective in finding their styles. People often wonder “That is dashing, however, it seems pricey. I have no clothes similar in this style. How on earth I can afford another looking expensive clothes?” Well, there is a place where you can choose affordable secondhand clothes called Thrift shop. In Philippines, Thrift shop is Ukay-ukay. The shop is renowned as it offers numerous eye-catching t-shirts, sweaters, jackets, coats, jeans, socks, shorts, tracksuits, vests, pajamas, shoes, boots, raincoats, tanktops, swimsuits, skirts, dresses, heels, blouses, bras, panties, stockings, suits, shirts, ties, bow-ties, briefs, sun hats, wool hats, scarfs, glasses, sunglasses, bagpacks, bags, earrings, bracelets, belts, handkerchiefs, necklaces, purses, wallets, hats, caps, rings, watches, and shawls.

People see Thrift shop as their own walk-in closets. Shoppers often visit the shop to find attires according to events, they select matching outfits to compliment the events they are attending—may it be conferences, birthday parties, job interviews, seminars and such.

These shoppers as fashion icons post astounding collection of their fashion style in the famous social network platform called Instagram. Posts have filters to tone with the choice of their clothing style. Thrift shops items being appreciated as these boost one’s confidence through styling. Furthermore, people get to create their own arts that are exhibited through different online platforms to inspire eyewitnesses to dress without any doubt and to enhance self-esteem.

Thrift shop or Ukay-ukay is like a Dress Portal that bring out magic to people—it awakens creative fashion style in them.

The shop does not only sell fashionable clothes but also provide good service. Here are the reasons on why I think Ukay-ukay retains customers:

·         The products are affordable. Shoppers enjoy shopping experience as they don’t only get to save money but also able to shop as many as they want.

·         Secondhand clothes have good qualities. Some of these look new. Items have no scratches, stains, and branded.

·         Clothes are stored, arranged, and organized according to its category. This helps shoppers to save their time from choosing items.

·         Staff members are nice, accommodating, and respectful. They are like your friends helping you to choose the best attire you could wear.

An individual stands in the spotlight presenting the character s/he is. An individual walks in the runaway stage expressing his/her emotion. And that very night, the individual killed the fashion show. The individual is you, stepping out from Thrift shop’s fitting room—seizing, feeling, and enjoying the moment.

[hakobesirius]

WHAT IS UP?

Hi, everybody! I am using @hakobesirius as my username here. Tonight, I will be uploading my first-ever blog here at 9:30 PM.