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LOCAL Businesses are the ones who likely need our support especially during this pandemic. These small scale businessmen can either be a family member, a neighbor or a friend. Some of them, we know since we were young. They were with us as we grow older in our community and it’s fitting to help them grow in return.
We listed down five local brands in Palawan islands that we believe needs our continuous support, some of them are already established while some are new in the business sector but were able to preserve and promote community character. These businesses are relevant especially now that we need to survive and them, as they continue to persevere.
Dried Flowers by Sabrina Ordillo of B-Inspired Event
Plant parents would love this especially those who are sophisticated in terms of collecting plants and of designing their homes. Sabrina Ordillo’s dry flowers business seem to bloom in this time of pandemic as it brings nature to homes, giving extra fragrance to the already popular smell of opportunity.
According to Sabrina who started selling dry flowers in the post lockdown got the idea online, and from there she tried to order it first, and later on ventured in making dried flowers and leaves in different processes. She admits it’s quite expensive at first but realizing its long term advantage, she pursued the business.
“Ang daming nagsasabi na mahal siya, mahal siya pero in the long run malayo ang aabutin ng pera mo compared sa every week nagpapalit ka ng flowers,” Ordillo said during PDN Story Café live show.
Say goodbye to your plastic flower decors. Check out the B-Inspired Events Stylist Palawan and bring that nature feels in your doorsteps.
Bootza Kombucha Health Drink
The pandemic situation calls for a healthy living and a stronger immunity to make us battle out the virus or whatever disease there is. Bootza Kombucha Probiotic drink is one of the possible armor of defense that will strengthen our immune system.
This health drink is a product of Bahay Kalipay Detox and Retreat Center and was created 14 years ago as a supplemental drink they offer to their regular yoga and movement therapy customers. But when the pandemic strikes, they relaunched it for a wider customer segment that they believe are also hungry for something healthy.
“Kombucha, it’s a priobiotic drink na we would tell them to please drink a shot before sleeping to help you digest the food, don’t drink it when your stomach is full, ang gusto namin mag work yung good bacteria na hindi na mahihirapan to help the body digest,” Dawin Arrazola, co-founder of Bahay Kalipay said.
The said drink have 13 variants that you can choose from, all natural and organic fruits and vegetables, it comes with that fresh and fizzy feeling every time you open a bottle of it. Let that good bacteria work wonders for you, order now at Bootza Kombucha Facebook page.
Baisa Bakery
Baking is a thing right now and while almost everyone is venturing on this baking craze, it’s good to take on the nostalgia and patronize the bakery that’s been there since you were a kid.
Baisa Bakery known as “pang masa bakery ng bayan”, started 39 years ago in a place called Quito in Puerto Princesa and later on was moved to Malvar street just across the old market or lumang palengke that we know today.
Owner Anthony Baisa saw the need for a different taste as it took the risk to rebrand and offer different variety of breads, cakes and even lechon to their regular patrons that stood to them until now. Their meryenda box is a hit for P220 that includes 2 dozen of assorted breads with Otap and tasty bread.
“Lahat ng pang masa na tinapay sa amin, mura talaga mula noon pa kahit mga cakes namin, tapos yung si Tammy yung anak ko gumawa ng sariling brand nya ng Happy Tammy Peanut Butter kasi nasa bahay lang naman siya,” Baisa said.
Baisa Bakery employs 55 employees and runs from 4:00 AM until 9:00 PM everyday. Their newest Lechon De Pugon is starting to pick up and creating a craze due to its unique taste.
Taste the nostalgia, order online at Baisa Bakery Facebook page.
Baguyo’s Tocino and Longganisa
If you are certified Batang Puerto Princesa, for sure eating Longganisa and Tocino from Baguyo meat shop in the old public market already became part of your everyday life. The business runs for 40 years already and their classic recipe tastes like a sweet nostalgia.
Baguyo meat products are one of the most favourite “bitbit” of Palaweno overseas workers who really miss the original taste of living in the island, even those living outside Palawan especially Metro Manila, the vacation will not be over without Baguyo’s item as pasalubong.
According to Baby Baguyo, the taste of their classic longganisa and tocino is maintained as they inherit that from their parents. Its natural color and just basic ingredients make it the most favourite among their loyal suki especially the brown longganisa that made a trademark for their business. But as years pass by, they try to create new recipes such as garlic longanisa, lumpia, embutido and others as additional offering.
“Walang preservatives asin at asukal lang yun, sariwa kami, di kami gumagawa ng ilado o frozen meat, fresh at malinis talaga tanggal ang mga litid,” Baguyo said.
Pandemic affected them since Public Market is a busiest and crowded place to be that many of us avoided to visit, but they find online selling as a relief and help them stay in this business. You may contact them still in the meat section of the Old Public Market and thru Baby Baguyo-Adorable Meat Shop in Facebook.
Palmanis Herbal Whitening Soap
Before Gluta and any other whitening soap became popular, Palawan already have Palmanis Herbal Whitening soap created by Prof. Idris Kuhutan way back 2003 as a livelihood for moslem women’s association in the province.
This Papaya soap is develop thru time and was even available in different cities and provinces in the Philippines, from that solo papaya soap they were able to create more variants suited for those who want to have that good and lighter skin. Now they have brands that comes with Virgin coconut oil, with milk proteins and with sunblock protection.
Palmanis President Ayna Badidil-Florida said that when lockdown happened, they are closed for 2 months in fear of their health, but they have to go back in operation after seeing a lot of demand for their soap not only in the City, but all over the province. This opportunity was due to non-availability of flights and ship voyage for cargo to carry multinational brand of soaps.
“Ang isa sa pinasasalamat ko hindi kami naapektuhan, yung order namin imbes na mabawasan lalong dumami kasi nawala yung ibang sabon kami na lang yung natira, kahit COVID siya tumaas ang sales namin,” Florida said.
Palmanis have 18 employees and they are thankful they don’t have to eliminate workers at this time, they are in full swing now and still at the stage of fulfilling orders especially those outside Palawan. They are not selling online yet since their 5 major soap variants is conveniently available in many minor and major stores in Palawan.
