| Rufino and del Rosario |
Luminaries of Baguio businessThe seasonality of Baguio looms as an apparent threat to its businesses. But for some, it doesn’t hold water as they have already made their labels distinctive as the city’s well-known foggy ambience. Among these establishments are the Star Café Restaurant and Sunshine Grocery, which were both founded decades ago and to date are still lively operating in the business circuit of the City of Pines.  Already 67 years old, Star Café, which is now being managed by a very hands-on couple, Joey and Donna Rufino, has continuously treated the Baguio population and tourists alike big and scrumptious servings of quality food. Most items on its menu—from egg pie to lumpia to camaron to their famous pancit canton—have left a taste on the lips of its customers which makes them dine in the place practically in their every Baguio visit.“One of the most notable preparations we made was when President Arroyo came over for a meal during the Easter celebration in 2005,” Donna said, adding that former presidents Ferdinand Marcos and Fidel Ramos also used to be their frequent customers. Despite the couple’s penchant for the simplicity of food, some of their products have already crossed overseas. According to Donna, it came as a surprise that their pandesal (Star Café also houses a bakery), which up to now is processed using the traditional way of baking, have reached the States. Star Café may have not taken the next step to expansion, unlike other successful enterprises, but as long as their customer base, which is admirably large, remains as loyal as it is, the restaurant is sure to stay as a prominent food service provider particularly in Baguio and generally the country.  Meanwhile, Sunshine Grocery was established by Michael del Rosario’s mother, who is now 82 years old. Del Rosario is presently managing the prominent grocery in Baguio, together with some other businesses.From selling a wide variety of commercial products, del Rosario has gone to putting up a hotel business named after his good and comfortable trip to Venice, Italy: Hotel Veniz. Located at the bottom corner of Session Road, Hotel Veniz showcases a total of 104 rooms, all of which are of 5-star status. Del Rosario, who is in charge of the operation of every McDonald’s franchise in Baguio, coupled Hotel Veniz with three restaurants: Café Veniz, Veniz Grill, and Betty’s Kitchen. He said that the restaurants are all doing well because of their delectable offerings and unique ambience. Moreover, Del Rosario has currently published an inspirational book titled My Dearest Children, which according to him is aimed at uplifting the hearts of people, not only business-wise but also in terms of life at large. “Even if I am an active entrepreneur, I really don’t want to be associated with material wealth,” Del Rosario said. “I believe that my real purpose in life is to give hope to other people even only in my humblest ways.” On July 27, the Rufinos and del Rosario will each be recognized by Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship Jose Concepcion III as an Inspiring Baguio Entrepreneur, an award given by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship as part of the Go Negosyo Teen Edition slated at Teachers Camp, Baguio City. Teen Negosyo is part of PCE’s latest campaign, the Go Negosyo Caravan, which aims to bring Go Negosyo forums and expositions in key cities outside Metro Manila. The Caravan has already visited Cebu and Bacolod. Teen Negosyo is a project in partnership with the Department of Education-Center for Student and Co-Curricular Affairs through the representation of its Executive Director Joey Pelaez. Teen Negosyo is presented by Philippine Airlines, PAGCOR, Globe, Hyundai, PLDT, Smart, Islands Souvenirs, DTI-OTOP, PTTC, and RFM Corporation. Other partners of the event include The Philippine Star, The Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Manila Bulletin, GMA Network Inc., RPN9, NBN4, Aspac-Law, Ideal Minds Corporation, The Master’s Lighthouse Foundation, and Full Circle Communications. |
