17/07/2026
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๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐ง๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ ๐๐๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ฆ: ๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐๐ง ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐จ๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ค๐ ๐๐ก๐จ๐ฉ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ง
๐๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐๐ค๐๐ง, ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ก ๐๐จ๐ญ๐๐๐๐ญ๐จ - For many entrepreneurs, the COVID-19 pandemic brought uncertainty and hardship. For Melvin M. Casimero, however, it also became the beginning of a journey fueled by resilience, determination, and hope.
In January 2021, at the height of the pandemic, Casimero established Coolits Cake Shop in Barangay Lampitak, Tampakan, South Cotabato. What started as a small online cake-selling business was inspired by his wifeโs passion and talent for baking. Together, they transformed their love for creating cakes into a source of income that helped support their family while bringing affordable and delicious cakes to their community.
As customer demand steadily increased, so did the challenges of sustaining the business. Limited capital and inadequate equipment made it difficult to expand production and compete with larger establishments. Financial constraints also prevented the business from investing in better facilities and maintaining stable operations.
Despite these obstacles, Casimero remained committed to keeping the business alive.
A significant breakthrough came on April 25, 2025, when he attended the Food and Beverage Industry Development: Empowering Food Service Owners and Processors for Growth seminar conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Negosyo Center Tampakan. During the activity, he learned about the Rise Up! Micro Multi-Purpose Loan Program of the Small Business Corporation (SB Corp.), a financing initiative designed to provide accessible capital to micro and small enterprises.
With the guidance and assistance of the Negosyo Center Business Counselor, Casimero successfully submitted his online loan application in September 2025. Three months later, in December 2025, his application was approved, granting him a โฑ100,000 loan that would become the turning point for Coolits Cake Shop.
The financial assistance enabled the business to invest in essential equipment and operational improvements. Casimero purchased a freezer to increase production capacity, secured additional working capital to sustain daily operations, and acquired a motorcycle to improve delivery services and customer convenience.
More importantly, the loan allowed the business to relocate and reopen its physical store in a more strategic and accessible locationโa milestone that had once seemed out of reach. The results were immediate and significant.
With improved facilities, expanded production capacity, and enhanced delivery services, Coolits Cake Shop experienced increased sales and strengthened its presence in the local market.
The reopening of the physical store also created new employment opportunities, allowing the business to hire one regular employee and one on-call worker, contributing to the local economy while serving more customers.
Today, Coolits Cake Shop continues to delight customers with quality cakes while steadily growing its loyal customer base throughout Tampakan.
Looking back on the challenges they have overcome, Mr. Casimero believes that perseverance and adaptability are essential qualities for every entrepreneur.
โHuwag lang mapaghinaan ng loob, patuloy-tuloy lang sa paghahanapbuhay. Malaking tulong din ang paggamit ng social media sa negosyo.โ
Recognizing the power of digital marketing, he also shared that partnering with local social media influencers in Tampakan significantly increased the visibility of Coolits Cake Shop, helping attract new customers and expand market reach.
Beyond the financial assistance, Casimero expressed his sincere appreciation to the Department of Trade and Industry, Negosyo Center Tampakan, and the Small Business Corporation for providing opportunities that allowed their business to recover and grow.
โSalamat kaayo tungod sa loan, nagbag-o ang among negosyo. Kung hindi ko nalaman sa DTI ang business loan offer ng SB Corp., siguro hindi na namin muling mabubuksan ang negosyo namin.โ
The story of Coolits Cake Shop demonstrates how timely access to financing, combined with entrepreneurial determination and government support, can transform a struggling enterprise into a growing and sustainable business.
From a modest online cake-selling venture born during one of the countryโs most challenging periods to a reopened and thriving physical shop, Coolits Cake Shop stands as an inspiring example of resilience in action. It proves that with the right opportunities, continuous innovation, and unwavering perseverance, Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises can not only recover from adversity but also build a stronger future for their businesses, their employees, and their communities.
