Double the Business, Double the Success: How Converge Helps This Olongapo Entrepreneur Thrive

Christine Sibal, entrepreneur from Olongapo City. 

Christine Sibal’s journey as a business owner began in a small spot in Barreto, Olongapo, where she put up a cozy café called 153 Coffee Co. A typical day for her business looks like tables filled up with students, remote workers, and regulars sipping on sea salt lattes or their house-blend 153 Special.

“My husband and I love coffee,” she shared. “He even trained as a barista. At first, we just wanted a place where we could enjoy good coffee and maybe hold a few meetings. But eventually, it turned into a full-blown cafe.”

While some cafés shy away from “long stay” customers, 153 Coffee sees it differently as they welcome students and workers looking for a place to study and hangout. 

Christine opened the shop nearly two years ago. What started with just five to ten cups a day has grown into 50 to 100 cups daily, with additional income from doing event coffee carts and loyal dine-in customers who treat the café like a second home.

But 153 Coffee Co. is only one half of her entrepreneurial story. About a year later, Christine launched Muy Bien Ihaw-Ihaw, a grilled chicken business that continues a mission she’s long been a part of – helping members of her church community build livelihoods through small business.

Christine with her team at Muy Bien Ihaw-Ihaw.

“Muy Bien actually came from a church initiative almost 20 years ago,” she explains. “It started as a way to help members earn extra income, and now it has grown to around 40 outlets across different provinces.”

Her outlet in Barreto is one of the newer ones, and a pilot for a more dine-in–focused model. But whether it’s chicken or coffee, Christine runs both businesses with a mix of passion and purpose. And behind the scenes, there's one modern tool that keeps it all running smoothly: fast, stable internet from leading fiber broadband and technology provider Converge.

“Even before we opened the café, we were already using Converge at home. So when we started the businesses, it just made sense to use something we already trusted,” she said.

Christine's businesses rely on Converge for their internet connection, which is essential for their daily operations, including the POS system and CCTV. It also enables customers to access various online payment channels.

Christine now runs both shops on Converge flexiBiz plans. The internet powers everything from her POS system to CCTV for remote monitoring. “I can check sales even when I’m not at the shop. I can log in, see what’s happening, and make sure everything’s running right. It’s really helped me stay hands-on, even from a distance,” Christine added. 

She also admitted that a fast internet has now become a customer essential. While some cafés shy away from “long stay” customers, Christine sees it differently. “A lot of our customers use our internet for their work or study. We offer it for free to our dine-in customers. That’s one of the reasons people keep coming back.”

Now, with both businesses thriving and the systems to keep them moving efficiently, Christine is looking forward to putting up more branches. She also offered some pieces of advice to fellow entrepreneurs who are just getting started.

“For me, I believe passion comes first. So whatever it is you love to do, whatever you believe in, go for it. Even if people say it’s not trendy or popular right now, if that’s what you enjoy and if your heart is into it, that will succeed.”

MSMEs advised to take small steps towards AI adoption

 

Speaking before the North Luzon Area Business Conference of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) held in Bataan province, Uy championed technology adoption, especially in the face of widespread use of new technologies such as generative AI.

As intimidating and complex artificial intelligence (AI) tools may be, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) should take gradual but steady steps towards exploring how these could make operations more efficient and scalable, according to Converge ICT Solutions Inc. CEO and 51st Philippine Business Conference and Expo (PBC&E) Chairman Dennis Anthony Uy. 

Speaking before the North Luzon Area Business Conference of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) held in Bataan province, Uy championed technology adoption, especially in the face of widespread use of new technologies such as generative AI. 

“Companies all over the world are trying to adapt to AI. Here in the Philippines, we’re barely scratching the surface. And the smaller businesses, which are just starting to embrace digitalization, have to learn new ways of doing business with the growing pervasiveness of these new technologies,” said Uy.

“AI is not just for medium to large companies. Micro and small businesses can also find a foothold in the use of the game-changing technology,” he added. “With AI adoption, MSMEs can potentially increase efficiency, reduce costs, and drive competitive edge.”

Coming from a trip to Taiwan which is known as the global hub for the semiconductor industry, Uy noted that artificial intelligence is making its way through the manufacturing value chains of most technology sectors.

Converge ICT Solutions Inc. CEO and 51st Philippine Business Conference and Expo (PBC&E) Chairman Dennis Anthony Uy (third from left) delivered the keynote address during the opening ceremony of the North Luzon Area Business Conference of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) held in Bataan.
IN PHOTO (from left): PCCI-Bataan President Bryan Joseph Banzon, PCCI Chairman Emeritus and ECOP and Philexport President Sergio Ortiz Luis Jr., Converge CEO Uy, Bataan Governor Hon. Jose Enrique “Joet” Garcia, PCCI Vice President for Regional Affairs and Membership Bing Sibal-Limjoco, PCCI Director for Environment and Climate Change and Education and Corporate Governance Edgardo Lacson, PCCI-North Luzon Area Vice President Atty. Maria Amalia Tiglao-Cayanan, and PCCI-Region III Regional Governor Cristina Tuzon.

“If the Philippines can find a niche spot in this value chain, the multiplier to employment, skills and knowledge upgrading, and the effect on downstream industries is massive,” he said. “While micro and small businesses may not yet be able to participate in these larger value chains, where they can benefit from is by taking small steps in adapting AI tools,” noted Uy. 

From the part of the local government, Bataan Governor Jose Enrique “Joet” Garcia III pledged his support to make his province “future-ready” by hosting start-ups and supporting digitally-enabled businesses.

“We want to express the support of the provincial government of Bataan, of course together with all the local government units for the creative and innovative industry. We know this sector is the key to accelerate more productivity and growth, especially for the youth who were born adept to digital devices,” noted Garcia. 

The possibilities of AI use were experienced first-hand by micro and small businesses in the Byte Forward Hackathon jointly organized by Converge, PCCI, the Department of Trade and Industry, and Converge subsidiary Rev21 Labs. 

Converge and the participating small businesses came up with problem statements stemming from actual pain points experienced in the course of business. Ten teams of third and fourth year college students from Bataan came up with solutions aided by AI tools. 

Artificial intelligence will come into bigger focus in the 51st Philippine Business Conference and Expo organized by the PCCI. As Chairman of the Conference, Uy deliberately made the move to make the event ‘technology-forward’ and bring modern, digital solutions to MSMEs. The Conference will be held on October 20-12 at the SMX Convention Center. 

Negosyantrends: The Canva MSME Summit 2022

Canva Philippines kicks off anniversary campaign with Negosyantrends MSME Summit 2022

Canva Philippines hosts “Negosyantrends: The Canva MSME Summit 2022” to reinforce its commitment to Filipino entrepreneurs as it celebrates its 8th year in the country.

True to its commitment to empowering Filipino businesses and freelancers, Canva kicks off its 8th anniversary in the Philippines with “Negosyantrends: MSME Summit 2022” happening from July 19 to August 6. The summit is designed to inspire the entrepreneurial spirit of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country. 

“The past eight years of Canva in the Philippines have been so meaningful. We collaborated with different partners, built a strong user base, grew our local team, and got moved by the tremendous support from everyone. Every year is a milestone that reminds us of our mission: to empower the world to design. This year, we want to make our celebration extra special by holding a series of events and initiatives that will reinforce our commitment to the Philippines and we’re starting with our community of Pinoy negosyantes and freelancers,” says Yani Hornilla-Donato, country manager of Canva Philippines.

Canva launched its Manila office in 2014 and started only with a team of eight people working in customer service. Now, the global visual communications platform has over 700 employees in the Philippines and continues to champion design excellence through its team of local designers, more localized and diverse content, and initiatives like the Negosyantrends MSME Summit 2022 which aim to empower Filipinos through design.

The summit will bring together design experts from Canva Philippines and industry leaders from the Department of Trade and Industry, TikTok Shop, Lazada, Rags2Riches, WhenInManila.com, and MommyMundo to discuss topics and trends that will help MSMEs grow and scale their business. There will be branding sessions, designing for e-commerce, social media advertising, leveling up your online sales strategy, and creating and scaling your business through video content among others. 

The last day of the summit on August 6 will be a face-to-face event featuring a panel discussion with Rags2Riches President and Founding Partner Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, Vyous Digital CEO and Founder Nian Ellao, and Kohi Social CEO and Founder Andrea Sumida and brand consultation sessions with select summit MSME participants.

The Negosyantrends: MSME Summit 2022 is open to current and aspiring entrepreneurs and freelancers. To know more about the event and make sure you don’t miss any sessions, join the Canva for Negosyo and Canva for Pinoy Freelancers & Creatives Facebook Groups. It will also be streamed live on Canva Philippines’ Facebook Page. The event is held in partnership with CNN Philippines, WhenInManila.com, adobo Magazine, Spot.ph, and Esquire Philippines.

“Pinoy negosyantes and freelancers have shown us the true meaning of resilience, having weathered the challenges brought by the lockdown and the pandemic. We’ve heard stories of entrepreneurs who almost went bankrupt or closed shops and Filipinos who ventured into freelancing because they lost their jobs. They continued to thrive by being agile and learning digital tools even sometimes on their own. By bringing together a powerhouse of experts, we hope to empower and support them in their journey by telling them that, kaya nila with Canva,” says Maisie Littaua, head of growth of Canva Philippines.

In 2020, Canva Philippines launched Canva for Negosyo, an online hub featuring business resources, articles, and expert advice from fellow local entrepreneurs and Canva experts. Now with over 26,000 members, the Canva for Negosyo Facebook community is also thriving with special webinars held by Canva and design collaborations happening among members.

To know more about Canva, visit www.canva.com or follow Canva on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Canva is also available for download on App Store and Play Store.