A new feel of city life for Tabuk

MANILA, Philippines – In 1983, Thelma Bayle-Ng owned and managed a small Bayle Store with two employees, selling basic goods. To attract more consumers, prices were kept low, more grocery items were added, wider store space was constructed and more workers were employed to give better service.

Today, Thelma Bayle-Ng owns and manages the Bayle Supermart.

The story of Thelma’s success began with an economic challenge. People in Kalinga wanted lower prices, so they went to neighboring areas like Cagayan or Isabela. Thelma sought to meet the demands of the people in Kalinga and, as part of her business expansion, she also put up Bayle Baker.

Thelma has openly shared the success of Bayle Supermart through scholarship programs for deserving students. She has also extended spiritual fellowships and provided employment to reformed law offenders and their families.

Over the years, Bayle Supermart and Bayle Baker have given the Kalinga people the same quality products that big city outlets have to offer.

Despite rising prices, Thelma’s business continues to grow. She has expanded to other businesses like the Davidson Hotel, Boy B Meals and Nebo Gym. The Bayle Supermart and Bayle Baker have also expanded to Dagupan.

Thelma continues to innovate and improve her services. Her businesses are gaining more customers and giving Tabuk a new feel of city life.

In another success story, geologist Angelisa Calalo opted to resign from her government job and become an entrepreneur so that she could earn extra money for her growing family and also be a full-time mother working from home.

Fascinated with the concept of “trash to treasure,” Lisa began making patch bags out of rags and excess cloth from her aunt’s weaving business, which she sold in the market.

As Lisa and her husband were exploring options to further her business, they ventured into t-shirt-making. They bought machines and with the help of a Chinese friend, they were able to train a sewer and a main technician.

In July 1993, Lisa began production in her mother’s house. Aside from one sewer, she did all the rest of the work – from manual cutting, purchasing, selling and delivery. She availed of a private printer for the printing and embroidery requirements of the shirts. The production rate was only 25 pieces per day, and Lisa knew she needed more capital and free herself from loan sharks.

With the advice and assistance provided by the Baguio-Benguet Community Credit Cooperative, Lisa was able to build strong foundations for her business.

In December 1998, Lisa was able to build a three-story factory beside her mother’s house, which provided ample space to work in.

In December 2002, Naduma Enterprises Inc. was born. At present, the company has 22 units of hi-speed sewing machines and two high-speed cutting machines and employs 30 people. Aside from t-shirts, the company also produces sweatshirts, jogging pants, school uniforms, jackets, caps and bags with a production rate of 450 to 500 t-shirts a day.

As Lisa puts it, success takes the shape of a tetrahedron. In order to be the most stable structure in the universe, the base needs to be strengthened. The same concept applies in business. Like the tetrahedron, a business must have three sides: the Mission, the Team and the Leadership.

On July 30, 2008, Thelma Bayle and Angelisa Calalo will be honored as the Most Inspiring CAR Micro Entrepreneur and the Most Inspiring CAR Entrepreneur – Special Award, respectively, at the Teen Negosyo Edition III, the third YECS Entrepreneurship Training and Conference spearheaded by Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship Jose Concepcion III, together with the Department of Education.

The award will be handed out by Presidential Management Staff Secretary Cerge Remonde, Department of Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, and the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship Founding Trustee Concepcion.

Awardees were endorsed by the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Agriculture, Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation, Inc., and the Baguio-Benguet Community Credit Cooperative.