The Baguio weather may not be conducive to some businesses, but others have thrived to make their labels as distinctive as the city’s foggy ambiance.
The Star Café Restaurant and Sunshine Grocery, both founded decades ago, are today still doing lively business in the City of Pines.
Already 67 years old, Star Café, now managed by hands-on couple Joey and Donna Rufino, has continuously treated Baguio residents and tourists to scrumptious servings of quality food.
Most items on the menu – from egg pie to lumpia to camaron to their famous pancit canton – are such popular favorites that customers return to dine in the restaurant every time they visit Baguio.
“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 were also frequent customers.
Despite the couple’s penchant for simple food, some of their products have already crossed overseas. According to Donna, it came as a surprise that their pan de sal (Star Café also houses a bakery), which up to now is uses the traditional way of baking, have reached the States.
Star Café may not have expanded like other successful enterprises, but as long as their admirably large customer base remains loyal, the restaurant is sure to remain as a prominent food service provider in Baguio.
Meanwhile, Sunshine Grocery was established by Michael del Rosario’s mother, who is now 82 years old. Del Rosario is now managing the prominent grocery in Baguio, as well as some other businesses.
Del Rosario has also put up a hotel inspired by a trip to Venice, Italy: Hotel Veniz, located at the bottom corner of Session Road, showcases a total of 104 rooms, all of them with 5-star amenities.
Del Rosario, in charge of the operations of every McDonald’s franchise in Baguio, set up 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 ambiance.
Moreover, Del Rosario has 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 in general.
“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 in my own humble way.”
On July 27, the Rufinos and del Rosario will be recognized by Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship Jose Concepcion III as Inspiring Baguio Entrepreneurs, 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 Corp. 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 Corp., The Master’s Lighthouse Foundation, and Full Circle Communications.