LEGAZPI City—Seth Aguinillo left the country to work as a restaurant manager in Singapore.
A nurse by profession, he returned to his home in Pili, Camarines Sur to take care of his mother in 2018.
However, he thought of using his savings from working abroad for a business.
With an initial investment of Php200,000.00, Aguinillo started Lola Ciony’s House of Atchara using her home-based recipe of pickled papaya.
His managerial skills from his stint abroad paved the way for the success of his business.
He also coordinated with government agencies like the Departments of Agriculture (DA) and Trade and Industry (DTI) in marketing his products.
His products were a perennial staple in various fairs and exhibits conducted by the DA.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga ganitong events (3rd Bicol Agri-Aqua Fair) kasi na-e-expose ang aking produkto.”
Aguinillo also shared that social media helped him to market his products. His business is visible and active in facebook and can be ordered online through Lazada and Shopee.
“Sa ngayon, nabawi ko na yung capital ko,” he said.
He also said that in business, there are competitors. That is why he continues to research and experiments other ingredients to be added from the classic papaya atchara like like green mango, spicy singkamas, and coconut “ubod” with papaya. (jaysonmgonzales)