| Stuart del Rosario & Tan |
Taste of a good ventureThe inclination of Kagayanons for good food is inspired by basic food treats, like Cheding’s Peanuts for starter snacks or popular dips like Suka Pinakurat for a more satisfying experience, that have truly become essential parts of their daily provision, and business force. Successful businesses usually have arduous beginnings as most entrepreneurs have to go through immense challenges before  their actual big break. For Stuart Del Rosario, Suka Pinakurat was his saving grace.After failing to make something out of his restaurant and lechon manok businesses, Stuart Del Rosario even had to endure health problems along with his finances as he underwent a heart bypass operation in 2000. Consequently, he had to put up all their possessions for sale so that his medical needs could be supported. After recuperating from the operation, however, he found himself greatly inspired to venture into something that he has always been good at. Already concocting various sauces for Iligan’s most popular dishes as his pastime, Stuart Del Rosario decided to make vinegar-based dipping sauces for profit. Armed with P28, 000 as initial fund, Del Rosario decided to devise a whole new product that would trump all sauces in their town. He started his innovation with an Iligan specialty called “Pinakurat,” which is made from wild boar meat, have it immersed in a boiling coconut vinegar (or sukang tuba) and then mixed with herbs and spices. Sukang Pinakurat coincidentally launched the commercial value of coconut nectar sap or tuba. Although it was hard at first to sell an unknown product, convincing only one out of 10 stores to have Suka Pinakurat on display, Stuart Del Rosario eventually caught the attention of big retailers that have operations in Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Cebu. Suka Pinakurat even got so popular in most Visayas and Mindanao regions that direct buyers and distributors took advantage of the product’s marketability. The increasing demand for Suka Pinakurat forced Del Rosario to increase his volume of raw materials and suppliers. Sukang Tuba is purchased directly from coconut sap farmers or locally known as the mananguetes, who were considered as the poorest farmers because they only depend on sari-sari stores and local markets. When Stuart Del Rosario decided to increase their produce, the former less-than-P100-earner mananguetes now earn roughly four to five thousand pesos per week. Stuart Del Rosario also managed to have his 40 mananguetes maintain fifty coconut trees from just five to seven trees. He was also able to provide livelihood to the women of their barangay by helping in their daily production. “Success is neither measured by the material things I could now buy nor the comfort that I enjoy,” Stuart Del Rosario said. “It is the benevolent feeling that through entrepreneurship, I have instilled life’s significance to the society by doing business with a heart.”  Indeed, a pinch of love in business always does wonders, like how it was with Isidra “Cheding” Tan. Cheding acquired Cheding’s Peanuts from her parents-in-law Ramon Tan Chingto and Lim Kim Tua, who left Amoy, China to start a candle and peanuts business in Iligan in the early 1930s. Starting up with P36.00 as capital and six sacks of peanuts and candles, the formidable husband-wife team managed to grow their business to what is Cheding’s bread and butter several decades later.In the beginning, Cheding and her family would wake up at the wee hours of the morning, and prepare and cook the toasted peanuts together. Then they would package it in small paper packs and sell them for five centavos and P2.50 for 100 packs at Iligan’s various movie houses. Today, Cheding’s Peanuts has 20 employees who manage to turn her business around. Oftentimes, Cheding would personally take charge of mixing salt, water and peanuts and would oversee the toasting process. Her two sons and a daughter-in-law have been given the task of running the business for distribution and shipping, production and operation, and general marketing and promotions, respectively. Cheding is still hands on with the business as the quality control manager. “I believe that hardwork, perseverance and genuine care for its employees and the community has made Cheding’s Peanuts worth the bite,” Cheding said. Because of their exceptional contribution to Cagayan De Oro’s entrepreneurial revolution, Del Rosario and Tan will be hailed by Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship Jose Concepcion III as one of the Most Inspiring Entrepreneurs from Northern Mindanao, an award given by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship as part of the Go Negosyo sa Cagayan de Oro slated on October 19 at the Atrium, Limketkai Center . Go Negosyo sa CDO is part of PCE's latest campaign, the Go Negosyo Caravan, which aims to bring Go Negosyo forums and expositions in key cities in the country. The Caravan has already visited Cebu, Bacolod , Baguio , Manila, and Pampanga. Go Negosyo sa Cagayan de Oro is presented by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship in partnership with the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Major partners include PAGCOR, Globe, Hyundai, San Miguel Corporation, Splash Corporation, STEAG State Power Inc., Limketkai Sons Inc., Unilever, PLDT, Smart, RFM Corporation, Concepcion Durables Inc. and Entrepreneurs School of Asia. Media partners include The Philippine Star, The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Sunstar CDO, GMA Network Inc., RPN9, NBN4, Aspac-Law and Creativoices Productions. |
