In this new normal, many businesses have
moved towards digital channels in order to better
serve their customers – and ultimately
survive. Many have enlisted the help of online
food delivery platforms, and small businesses have especially benefited
from the added reach and exposure that these platforms provide. Some of these
small shops have even gone on to become very successful ventures, inspiring
countless other entrepreneurs.
Recognizing the potential of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) is leading online quick commerce platform
foodpanda, which recently awarded its first-ever set of MSME Panda Local
Heroes, which include home-based online shops and local mom-and-pop stores,
showing outstanding performance and entrepreneurial skills amongst their
community of partner vendors.
“The fact that they are
contributing to the growth of their local economy and not just surviving, but thriving despite the challenges, already makes them
heroes in their own right. So I believe that the award’s name is only fitting
for these businesses,” says Hardik Batra, Commercial Director of foodpanda
Philippines. “We’re glad to be their partners to help them along the way.”
The selected
Panda Local Heroes offer a wide range of food choices, and their stories are as
fascinating as their menu offerings.
The heart to serve
Hailing from Calumpang in the
province of South Cotabato, Sheila’s Buko Halo offers fruity refreshments and
desserts perfect for both the hot and cold weather. Owner Maria Fe Cenon recalls their journey towards opening their
halo-halo business. “Nung una, ang tinda lang namin ay gulay at prutas hanggang
sa naisipan na naming magtinda ng halo-halo at iba pang meryenda.”
A barangay
official, she brought her passion to serve into the way she does business – by
putting her heart into serving their customers. “Ang lagi kong bilin at turo sa
mga staff ko, dapat malinis kayo mag-trabaho, approachable sa mga customers, at
mabilis mag-serve ng orders lalo na kapag sa foodpanda.”
Within four months with the online quick
commerce platform, Sheila’s Buko Halo was already among the top
performing vendors nationwide. “Masarap sa pakiramdam na nagtiwala agad ang
foodpanda na maging partner merchant kami kahit ‘di pa naman ganun kalago ang business namin noon. Simula nung nasa app
na kami at nagpo-post na rin sa social media yung mga nag-order, mas lalo kami
nakilala. Malaking tulong talaga ang foodpanda samin kaya kampante ako na
lalago ang business ko with them as our partner.”
Maximizing skills
Danz Pelaez was one of the many
freelancers who had to look for another way to make a living when the pandemic
hit. “I was a freelance event photographer before. Alam namin na mawawalan na
ng events dahil sa pandemic kaya nag-isip agad kami ng ibang mapagkakakitaan.”
With this move came the birth
of Today’s Dine by TDF located at the heart of General Santos City, in Acharon
Village. “Nagagamit ko pa rin yung skills ko as a photographer dahil ako rin
kumukuha ng shots ng menu sa app.” And Danz indeed has an exceptional
photography skill making their menu deliciously enticing to try and order.
“Para mag stand-out yung food
na ino-offer mo, kailangan kakaiba, like yung spicy tuna sisig namin na kahit three months palang ay most popular order na
agad.” Aside from this best seller, Today’s Dine by TDF also has chicken meals, silog meals, and rice meals in their long
list of menu.
“Ang store namin, dito lang din
sa bahay mismo at kami lang ng misis ko ang staff. Kaya we rely heavily on
online orders lalo na sa foodpanda. Ever since nag-join ako bilang partner
merchant, ito na yung naging main income ng family ko,” he added.
“Dapat
lang talaga marunong dumiskarte. At
‘di ko rin nakakalimutan
mag-share ng tips, advice at knowledge sa kapwa vendors para mag-succeed din
sila.”
Championing the region’s local
product
A Muslim dish native to
people in Mindanao, “pastil”
is made of rice and shredded indigenous mackerel or "pirit" fish
wrapped in banana leaf. Capturing the hearts of foodies while preserving the
Muslim food tradition is Pinutos Rice Pastel by Pritz Pono. “With determination
and an innovative mindset, we were able to perfect this classic flavorful
dish.”
“Bukod sa masarap at affordable, our ingredients are
coming straight from the fish canneries in GenSan and chicken dressing plants
in Davao, as a way to patronize the local produce in our region."
“Ngayon na may presence na
kami sa foodpanda app, sana mas makilala pa ang Pinutos Rice Pastel at mas
maraming tao pa ang maka-try ng local dish namin dito sa Tagum City at sa
Mindanao. With foodpanda’s reach, we’re hoping na makapag-branch out pa kami sa
ibang areas,” Pritz said.
She is
also very grateful for the recognition given by foodpanda to small local
businesses like them. ”As a small food business, marami talagang challenges.
Kaya yung award katulad nito, we feel that our efforts are valued and
recognized.”
Perks of being a Panda Local Heroes Awardee
A total of 80 partner vendors
were selected as Panda Local Heroes and they are set to enjoy exclusive perks and
deals. They will bear a vendor ambassador pink tag on the app so they can
easily be identified as a Panda Local Heroes Awardee, along with other special
deals and discounts.
According to Batra, they are
very proud of the achievements
of their partner vendors. “foodpanda is
honored to help small businesses during the pandemic and beyond. We also want our customers to
have more options, and to try something new that will tickle their taste
buds.”
“We continue to expand our
footprint by partnering with local and smaller merchants in different areas in
the Philippines. Through these partnerships, we are helping them earn additional
revenue online and give them the necessary push to expand or become more
well-known,” he
adds.
Offering local
Filipino dishes, cafe staples, snacks, comfort
food, healthy food, and desserts from across the country, the awardees of the Panda Local Heroes were chosen for
showcasing business and
entrepreneurial excellence in the 2nd quarter of the year. Check here for the full
list of winners.
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About foodpanda:
foodpanda is dedicated to bringing food lovers their favorite meals from
curated local restaurants in the Philippines. Since its creation, the on-demand
food delivery service has grown to more than 170,000 partner restaurants in
more than 325 cities across 13 Asian and Central Europe markets. foodpanda
Philippines currently operates in 150 cities and municipalities across the
Philippines and continuously expanding. foodpanda is a subsidiary under
Delivery Hero, a worldwide leader of the food delivery industry. For more
information, visit www.foodpanda.ph.
How it
works:
Through the
foodpanda website or via the new iOS and Android apps, customers can enter
their address and view a curated list of restaurants and shops serving their
neighborhood. Once they have found their choice, they can place an order in the
comfort of their home or office, paying online through foodpanda’s secure
platform or via cash-on-delivery The order is then carefully prepared by the
restaurant or shop, picked up by the foodpanda rider and delivered straight to
their doorstep.
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