If one surveys the food most associated with Davao, cacao and pomelo/suha will surely come to mind; these are the iconic foodstuffs that the Southern region is known to grow and market. But if one scans the bustling Southern cities, particularly Davao, it becomes clear that local bread - the classic pan de sal, ensaymada,etc. - is enjoyed virtually everywhere and is as much of a staple as rice.
Dotting almost every neighborhood in Davao City are local bakeries and one brand that is close to ubiquity is the Panadero Bakeshop. Its white typography, with the classic toque hat perched on the ‘P’ and resting against a bright red background, can be spotted every few kilometers.
Dafoodgallery Bakery Products Manufacturing, one of the franchisees of Panadero Bakeshop, indeed banked on the brand’s prevalence, leading them to open three branches : two in Davao City and one in Cagayan de Oro.
“We’ve been operating the Damosa branch for four years now. We chose this location because of the surrounding community. There are a lot of different establishments and barangays in this area. Our product, different kinds of breads, are essential sa mga kababayan natin,” explained Jocelito Campos, Operations Head at Dafoodgallery.
Panadero Bakeshop Damosa is on 24-hour operations, with the first batch of freshly-baked bread already out of the oven at 4AM to cater to early morning employees and mothers prepping their family’s breakfast.
Campos sees their array of breads as an affordable, everyday fare for Filipinos that offer the comfort of home wherever they are, and at any time of the day. While ensaymada and pan de sal are the best-sellers in the morning, come afternoon other breads are in demand: hopia, monay, or the top selling bicho-bicho are perfect painit (light snacks).
“Sa gabi, patapos na ang araw, meron kaming cheese de sal. May mga tao na hindi nagkakanin - baka nag-didiet o kaya yung ibang sobrang late na makauwi sa bahay, baka wala nang nakahanda kaya mas magandang mag tinapay na lang. At P 5, per piece, napaka affordable,” Campos said.
With Converge slowly making inroads in metropolitan areas outside of Luzon, it was only a matter of time before the Dafoodgallery business owner, Dennis Roy Aballe, heard of the broadband provider and made the switch.
“This was recommended by the friends of the owner because we were curious about the speeds being offered. Now we have Converge in all three branches,” noted Campos.
Having made the switch in February 2024, Campos notes how the strong, quality connection has eased communication with suppliers and facilitated inter-branch meetings.
“We’re able to have our weekly and monthly meetings, and the very important annual meeting between and among branches through Zoom, and without interruption. It really helps us in planning and executing our deliverables without the need for face-to-face meetings,” said the Operations head.
With the Damosa branch going strong and the two other branches thriving, Jocelito Campos sees Converge as a reliable connectivity partner in the years of operations to come.
“With the help of Converge, as we grow, kailangan talaga mag-adapt din kami sa new technology. Ngayong may ibang branch na, talagang kailangan ng coordination and with this, we have an easy channel or medium to execute our strategy to continue growing as a business,” he ended.
