Christina’s business began as a quest to find a product that could be marketed along with the other goodies produced by her family-owned bakery, Filia Foods. The family was already distributing Whammos, Mr. Juicy and Candy Clouds, and 26-year-old Christina wanted to develop a donut with a long shelf life. Instead, she stumbled onto a way of using yeast donuts to produce a lighter, fluffier, melts-in-your-mouth texture, which could be served immediately.
Aside from enjoying the taste of her most popular donut called Amazing Glaze, customers are fascinated with watching how these delectable snacks are made, since giant machines press out the circles of dough and roll them out till they are ready to be served.
As project manager of Doughnut People Inc., our 4’11" bachelorette is in charge of the entire process from production to retail. A graduate of Ateneo, Christina now employs 75 people in her Go Nuts store. As she prepares to open their new stores in Alabang, Greenhills, Greenbelt and Manila, she reflects on some exciting bits of her life – from looking like a bomba star, to jazz dancing to getting drunk.
On what occasion do you lie?
When I meet with suppliers I don’t give them the real deadline because they are always delayed.
Which living person do you admire most?
Francis and Sonjie Trillana. Not only are they beautiful people with a big heart but they also taught me all my morals and values in life, as well as work ethics.
Who or what is the greatest love of your life?
My fiancé, Cary Lagdameo. We are getting married on August 20.
What is your current state of mind?
Just trying to be very organized because there are so many things happening, what with my forthcoming wedding and all the new stores opening.
What is your passion?
Dancing and cooking. I studied cooking in the Culinary Institute of America in New York for two and a half years. I take jazz dancing at Fitness First, right above Go Nuts donuts. I used to dance the ballet. I also choreographed and coached cheering teams.
What is your most fervent wish?
For the country, to have good leaders who would eradicate graft and corruption so we can have a better economy.
What film influenced your life?
Stella with Bette Midler. It’s about Stella raising her child Jenny on her own. And the mother makes the ultimate sacrifice.
What book influenced your life?
The Road Less Travelled by Scott Peck. I took it up in college, and it’s very enlightening. It’s about the difference between real love and being in love.
What is the trait you most like in yourself?
Anything I set my mind to, I try to achieve.
What is your motto?
There is a proper place and time for everything.
What do you most value in your friends?
I enjoy all those moments of getting drunk together with my dancing buddies.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Bags and bags and bags… I save up for expensive bags, particularly quality brand bags.
What is the first thing you look for when you meet a man?
I like gentle, well-mannered men. I watch how they treat their mom, their sisters and the women in their lives.
Which historical character would you like to have been?
Caterina de Medici. She was an Italian princess who married into French royalty and introduced many Italian habits into French culture and cuisine, like the use of fork and knife, and the way of serving food.
Name a moment that brings back happy memories.
When I was in Italy for two weeks on a wine scholarship. All we did was eat and drink for free. I was with about 16 students from three different schools.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Equilibrium in everything.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Oh wow! Some people who are born without really a chance at life. I would like to think that everyone is equal but there are people who have no chance.
What is your favorite journey?
A girls’ night out in New York when you never know where things can lead.
What is your greatest regret?
I only started to excel in studies during my 3rd and 4th years in college. And when I quit ballet. I danced from age five till 14.
Name an embarrassing moment at work.
Once when I was living in Alabang my blouse got ripped and I couldn’t go home to change. I taped it instead and looked like a bomba star.
In case of a fire, what would you bring out first?
My jewelry and my passport.