Safety officer gives up stellar career for wife

The Manila Times

Safety officer gives up stellar career for wife  Noel Barquera, a highly experienced Safety Officer with a remarkable 22-year career in the GeoThermal industry, made a life-changing decision driven by an unexpected source of motivation – his deep affection for his wife Celeste. In a surprising twist, Noel's undying love for his spouse led him to resign from his prestigious position. The reason? His wife's dietary requirements necessitated the inclusion of dark chocolate in her daily routine. This seemingly simple need propelled Noel into a completely different path.  Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe   Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net     Follow us:  Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook   Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram   Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter   DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion     Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital     Check out our Podcasts:  Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify   Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts   Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic   Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer   Stitcher: https://tmt.ph/stitcher  Tune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein  #TheManilaTimes  #philippines #entrepreneur

Transcript

00:00 [MUSIC PLAYING]

00:03 The Business Mentor Talks is vlog by no other,

00:10 Armando Butz Bartolome, in cooperation

00:13 with the Manila Times.

00:15 It aims to bring to life and recognize entrepreneurs

00:19 who constantly strive to create a living for the community

00:22 as well.

00:23 [MUSIC PLAYING]

00:26 [MUSIC PLAYING]

00:29 [MUSIC PLAYING]

00:33 [MUSIC PLAYING]

00:36 [MUSIC PLAYING]

01:05 Listen to the Business Mentor Talks with Butz Bartolome.

01:08 [MUSIC PLAYING]

01:12 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

01:12 When you are married, you are all in one.

01:16 But again, this time, they're also all in one in business.

01:19 So without further ado, let me invite Mr. and Mrs.

01:25 Barquera, Noel, and Celeste, all the way from Ormoc.

01:29 Good day to you, Noel and Celeste.

01:32 How are you today?

01:33 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

01:35 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

01:37 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

01:39 OK.

01:39 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

01:41 How is the city of Ormoc?

01:45 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

01:46 Of course, Valentine's Day in a few days.

02:00 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

02:04 Yeah, we're already preparing for the big February 14.

02:09 OK.

02:10 So Noel, tell us, [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

02:19 Tell us something about who you are, what were you doing

02:22 before you and Celeste.

02:24 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

02:28 I worked with my former company for 22 long years

02:32 as part of the power generation.

02:35 So [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] as a safety officer.

02:40 So [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] previous employee.

02:44 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] because of family reason,

02:48 when I was assigned in Manila, [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

02:53 I need your help here.

02:54 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

02:56 Yeah.

02:56 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] I need to go back home.

03:00 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

03:08 But anyway, [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

03:14 from the Ortigas office [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

03:20 So [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

03:43 to look for a good dark chocolate.

03:47 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

04:15 So here comes our company offer an early retirement program

04:20 way back in 2019.

04:23 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

04:25 So I jump off [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

04:28 or any communication from the company.

04:31 I really write a letter to the company

04:33 that I'm willing to join the ERP program, early retirement

04:38 program.

04:40 But well, you spent 22 good years.

04:43 I mean--

04:44 Yeah, 22 good years.

04:46 A long, solid years.

04:47 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

04:59 I actually run my own company also.

05:03 Again, before, I was part of the government of NEDA, NEDA

05:06 Region 8.

05:07 Then because of the situation of the family, I go out.

05:11 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

05:15 Then here comes I build my own company, which is a BPO.

05:20 So we are into actually outsourcing of--

05:25 we provide outsourcing services to US clients.

05:28 So basically, [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

05:30 we provide accounting and bookkeeping service.

05:32 So because of the nature of the job,

05:35 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

05:39 So [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

05:42 So because of that situation, [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

05:46 So when it comes to the decision that I need to reduce,

05:50 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

05:53 Which is to go to low-carb diet.

05:56 So I asked for Noel for help to help me with my drive

06:02 to reduce my weight.

06:03 That's why we are, like what he said,

06:06 we've been looking for a quality dark chocolate.

06:10 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

06:11 So basically, [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

06:23 Because you are growing-- well, the growing--

06:25 the family is growing.

06:26 Yes, exactly.

06:28 Noel is in Manila.

06:30 Celeste is working night shift.

06:33 And again, the second reason is because of health.

06:37 Was it really very difficult to make that decision, Noel?

06:40 I mean, 22 years, [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

06:43 22 years now, you started--

06:47 how old were you when you started?

06:48 22 years.

06:49 I mean, [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

06:51 I graduated from college.

06:52 I really went to my former employee.

06:57 Wow.

06:57 Employers.

06:58 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

06:59 And [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

07:02 So [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] I really watched

07:05 a lot of my former colleagues.

07:08 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

07:11 I attended a lot of retirement parties.

07:13 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

07:15 So [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

07:23 privatized [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

07:36 She traveled from Ormoc to Tacloban every day.

07:39 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

07:43 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

07:45 Like 5 o'clock in the morning.

07:47 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

07:49 After office, 9 o'clock or 10 o'clock PM.

07:52 Every day on Monday to Friday.

07:54 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

07:57 Resigned in just Neta because of family.

08:01 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

08:03 I need to help her.

08:05 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

08:07 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

08:09 I need to go back home.

08:11 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

08:15 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

08:18 Which is the family.

08:19 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

08:22 But did you have any fears?

08:24 I mean, a lot of people who opted for retirement,

08:27 like in my case, I had that experience.

08:31 Like, optional retirement, then [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

08:34 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

08:36 The fear, anxiety, and what will be happening.

08:41 I mean, [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

08:44 You used to work.

08:45 Then all of a sudden, you feel, am I

08:48 making the right decision?

08:49 Is this impulsive?

08:51 You know, all the question marks hanging.

08:53 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

08:56 Celeste, Noel?

08:58 Yes, personally.

08:59 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

09:01 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

09:03 Celeste.

09:04 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

09:06 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

09:08 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

09:10 Of course, financial reason.

09:12 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

09:14 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

09:16 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

09:18 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

09:20 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

09:22 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

09:24 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

09:26 That's a sudden decision.

09:28 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

09:30 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]

09:32 I said, "I don't want to do it first." Then suddenly the management's direction changed to reduce manpower.

09:41 That's why all my colleagues, including their wives, were probably crying because they lost their jobs.

09:49 But Celestine is happy because it's a good package with an early retirement program, no tax, and their package is good.

10:01 She said, "Jump in." But emotionally, you're not ready because you're used to waking up at 6 o'clock in the morning, waiting for the service.

10:15 That's what I was thinking. She's been gone for a long time.

10:21 So the reason, well, okay, that's how a wife is, right? She's a burden, plus and minus. But in your case, for example, you have a common vision with a common goal to achieve.

10:35 But why chocolate? Is it because of Celeste's dietary requirement? And how did you learn?

10:43 Imagine from a safety officer to learning how to make chocolate. I mean, both of you, how? How did you do it?

10:51 It's different because when I plan to... Celeste really wants a structured choice. She's a PHA. She wants a structured choice.

11:01 She wants to buy a franchise.

11:03 Because the system is already there.

11:05 The system is already there. You just have to push it. But for me, I'm creative. I don't want to follow whatever they want.

11:18 I want to change whatever needs to be changed, whatever needs to be fixed. I want that.

11:24 So I told her, "I'll do business, but not just franchise." I told her, "I'll decide what to do."

11:33 I really started from scratch because I'm not into culinary graduate. They don't have a background in pastry.

11:43 So what I really wanted to do first was cacao farming.

11:50 Cacao farming and chocolate making, that's what I really thought. I will plant my own cacao, then I will produce.

11:59 Then I met a mentor. The mentor said, "You'll grow old because you'll wait for your cacao to ripen."

12:06 He said, "You'll grow old, you'll run out of money, then you'll get hit by a storm, you'll get hit by disasters."

12:14 He said, "Why not start with the middle string, which is manufacturing. Roll your money, then go back to farming once you're strong enough to spend your money on farming."

12:28 So I really pushed him with the guide of the mentor. I pushed manufacturing on my own, with the help of the family, with the kids.

12:38 I pushed him. It's like, what I used to be afraid of in my work, in my former employee.

12:45 I made myself busy. Well, at 5 o'clock in the morning, I'm already working in the kitchen.

12:52 It's like a useful routine, leaving the house, going to the manufacturing. That's what happened.

12:59 So was it easy the first few years of starting your own business?

13:04 No, it's not.

13:05 What were the trials and errors?

13:09 We had a lot of trials and errors. We had a lot of experience with errors, but we took that as a lesson for us.

13:19 He started the business during the pandemic, so we did experience it.

13:26 I'm just so taken for his courage that even though it was during the pandemic, he never started his product development at that time.

13:37 And me on the side, I'm setting up the system in terms of, for example, the finances. I set the system there.

13:47 And also, I did most of the research. I researched more about his industry. Then I researched where he can train.

13:58 That's why I got from that research, I got good people wherein he enrolled at the chocolate making.

14:07 That's why he transitioned from the tablea making to chocolate making. So we have different lives.

14:15 But considering pandemic, I mean, Noel, Celeste, it's not a joke.

14:22 You're not free to go out and there are a lot of trains, shipment, logistics, and all this.

14:29 But nevertheless, what was your first experience when you came up with your product?

14:36 What was your first original product?

14:40 I have only two products. The tablea and the quick milk tablea and the 70% tart.

14:48 Because my goal is to give Celeste what she needs. 70% tart.

14:54 That's really true love, Noel.

14:57 It's Valentine's Day today, sir. 12 days more to go.

15:03 So that was my first product. Tablea and 70% dark chocolate.

15:11 That's really my focus. What happened was I produced it.

15:18 But before I produced the tablea, I tasted almost all the tablea in the Philippines.

15:24 We bought tablea from Luzon, from Mindanao, from Cebu, from Bohol.

15:29 We tasted where the tablea we're going to make can be found.

15:34 We studied that the tablea in this place has a little acid. In this place, it's like burnt.

15:42 So we really profile ourselves that when we make tablea, it's different from other places.

15:48 So that's our first goal.

15:50 Which is really part of the business, right?

15:53 You don't plan right away. I know this, I know that.

15:57 You got a mentor, Celeste made the research, you broadened the market by visiting all the tableas available in the market.

16:09 Then finally coming up with your own concoction.

16:14 Yes.

16:16 How was it acceptable in the market?

16:22 Did you sell or you were not really selling yet at that time?

16:26 No, when I opened the business way back in October 2019,

16:33 I was only productive for one week. I was already directed.

16:37 He was already directed. Because it was already for gifting for Christmas.

16:41 Then it was Christmas, and it was the first time in Urmoc.

16:46 People seemed to have an interest.

16:49 "Oh, there's a person who makes that kind of table in Urmoc."

16:51 So that's how it became.

16:54 Then of course, when we started the business, our equipment was limited.

16:59 So one batch of refining machine, it's only 3 kilos, it would run for 3 days.

17:08 So it means you have a customer who waits for 3 days before he can get his order.

17:14 So that's how it was.

17:16 We started small scale.

17:18 It's really small scale.

17:21 But we say it's like an artisan, right?

17:24 Yes, it's really small batch.

17:27 But how did your market gain momentum?

17:34 Was it just in Urmoc or what?

17:37 When we started the business, especially the first quarter of 2020,

17:42 we are the second city in the Philippines that is into lockdown, right?

17:47 We were already in lockdown on March 15, 16.

17:51 So, Celeste was pushed into BPOC.

17:56 So she already knows e-commerce.

17:58 That's where we started in e-commerce.

18:01 She has a little background in e-commerce.

18:04 I'm the aggressive one in terms of the marketing side.

18:07 So I was focused on online e-commerce.

18:15 Our target was the cloud market.

18:19 Celeste set up the platform.

18:22 She also did the daily posts.

18:25 Who are the target markets?

18:27 We also did ads. She was already targeting.

18:31 She also studied the different segment profiles of the customers.

18:35 I was in charge of the operation.

18:38 I was the cook, the producer of the product.

18:40 She was in charge of the market.

18:42 She was the one who was in charge of that.

18:43 We were also one of the first to make door-to-door mark, door-to-door delivery.

18:50 During that time, Grab was not yet popular.

18:54 They were saving money.

18:55 They suddenly became popular during the pandemic.

18:58 I was my own vehicle.

19:01 I was just house to house when there were orders because people were not able to go out.

19:07 Your combination is beautiful.

19:10 Celeste, because of her BPO,

19:13 this is what we're saying,

19:15 not everything that you learned when you were working,

19:19 you will toss out of the window.

19:21 But you, you picked up.

19:24 Even before BPO, were you aware about all this e-commerce and all this?

19:31 No.

19:33 I just learned that skill from my clients actually.

19:36 What they're doing, then how, and from those bits and pieces I learned from them,

19:41 how can I apply that to our business?

19:45 Great.

19:47 So you really had a tandem.

19:49 You swapped your skills.

19:53 Because imagine if both of you are not digital aware,

19:57 nothing will happen.

19:59 You'll be looking at each other, right?

20:01 How to move.

20:03 So was it easy to sell online, Celeste, your experience?

20:07 The only constraint on the online platform is you need to be consistent.

20:14 Actually, that's really in all marketing.

20:17 You need to be consistent.

20:18 Because at times, it's just me or him.

20:22 So basically, it needs energy that you should be consistent in campaigning.

20:28 And like for example, I'm also handling a company,

20:32 the family is still there.

20:35 You really need to focus on your energy, be creative.

20:38 Not at all times you are on that creative zone.

20:41 So that's the constraint I see.

20:44 So that's the thing.

20:46 So where are you now?

20:48 By the way, why Altupeak?

20:50 Tell me, how did you arrive at that?

20:52 You can answer that.

20:53 He chose the brand.

20:55 I chose Altupeak because Altupeak is the highest mountain in Region 8.

21:02 Okay.

21:05 It's a mountain.

21:07 So at the bottom of that mountain, like a few kilometers away,

21:13 I also have a small farm.

21:15 Oh, okay.

21:17 And I'm not a Chinese who looks at everything.

21:24 But his brand recognition is easy.

21:27 Altupeak.

21:29 It's really easy to understand.

21:31 Then Alpha, letter A right away.

21:34 Then it's redundancy, Altupeak.

21:36 It's like that.

21:38 I translate it to the operation side.

21:42 I need to pursue excellence.

21:44 I always pursue the summit of Altupeak to be excellent in everything that I do,

21:53 in everything that we produce.

21:55 Because we should be peak, right?

21:57 It won't drop.

21:59 So in other words, Noel, the branding, the packaging speaks of your character,

22:08 of your past experience, right?

22:11 Your after quality, you're very precise, okay?

22:17 And you want to make an impact, right?

22:19 That's what happened, right?

22:21 So what are the products of Altupeak?

22:25 You have different kinds of products that you came out with.

22:30 Our first product in 2019, there were only two pieces,

22:35 Tablaya and Dark Chocolate.

22:38 Sometimes, in December, a mother would bring her child.

22:44 The child was very excited because he entered a small chocolate factory.

22:49 The child's mind is sweet.

22:51 It's registered in the child's mind.

22:54 It's really sweet because it's chocolate.

22:57 But when he tasted 70%, his face was broken.

23:00 It's like his face is not okay because it's chocolate.

23:03 So that's the birth of my first milk chocolate.

23:09 I made milk chocolate thereafter.

23:12 I studied it and I made it right away in that week alone.

23:18 I made it.

23:19 So we had three products.

23:21 Tablaya, 70% Dark, and Milk Chocolate.

23:25 The others are market-driven.

23:28 We already have 80% because our other patrons in 70% said,

23:32 "Your 70% is sweet. Maybe you need to increase it.

23:36 Make 80%. I know you can buy that."

23:40 So he made 80%.

23:42 Then he said, "It's sweet. Make 90+ or something like that

23:47 because it's sweet to me."

23:49 I really increased it because of the need of the market.

23:53 So now, those patrons are consistent in buying those products.

23:58 Especially those with elevated sugar, those who are end-to-diabetic.

24:04 So more or less, we make the product because of the need of the market.

24:09 At the same time, we do creative transformation of some product

24:16 that will be liked by the market, like the mango dip.

24:20 We know about the mango dip.

24:22 We can buy it in the market, but the chocolate is already melted.

24:27 It's not delicious anymore.

24:28 Then they just melt the chocolate and dip it. That's okay.

24:32 For us, no.

24:33 We really use chocolate that we have made.

24:40 We have made it.

24:42 So your packaging, your first impression is that the packaging is important.

24:48 How did your packaging evolve?

24:52 In November of 2019, I really enrolled in PTTC.

24:59 At the center, I really enrolled for training because,

25:04 I need to share your advice before.

25:07 The horizontal should be strengthened.

25:11 Correct.

25:12 So how can a product be labeled as premium if the clothes are ugly?

25:18 That's what we think.

25:20 Chocolate is a premium product that is not a staple.

25:26 It's for gifting.

25:28 If you think of it as for gifting, you should not be ashamed to give it to people

25:33 because the product is good.

25:35 The clothes are good, the content is good.

25:37 So the investment is big, but we really cleaned it properly.

25:42 The layout is standard and the design is good.

25:46 If you put it aside from the products that are already known in the market,

25:53 you won't be ashamed because it looks good.

25:56 Actually, my impression is, if I don't know you, it's foreign.

26:03 The packaging is foreign, the white, the dark brown, all the names.

26:11 It really be at par with any international brand.

26:16 Is that how you did it back then?

26:20 Yes, because during the pandemic, the world was sleeping.

26:26 That's what we were thinking.

26:28 Everyone is afraid, everyone is wondering what will happen to the world.

26:35 But for us, we research, I look for designers online,

26:41 who used to lower their talent to just have sales.

26:50 But eventually, after so many trials, we were still not content with their output.

26:59 So we look for local talents or mock.

27:01 Then those local talents, the design they made was really good for us.

27:08 I said, this is it.

27:10 It's like there's a little carrot in our heart that, wow, it means a lot to us.

27:16 So we said, it's a waste if it's just a design and there's no actual product.

27:24 So we also looked for a supplier.

27:29 The supplier's problem is usually China.

27:33 The MOQ is high, and it's hard for them to communicate.

27:38 Alibaba, Alipay, and things like that.

27:41 So what I do is, Celeste and I attended trade fairs.

27:47 I even went to Thailand, to Asia, just to look for a good provider, solution.

27:55 Then one time, we met someone from Cebu.

28:01 So they made our product now.

28:05 There's only one in Cebu.

28:07 You went around, you went around.

28:10 But it's good.

28:12 The size and then even packaging, it's not even in a carton.

28:19 You will even keep that packaging.

28:22 As you're eating, you keep looking and reading the story.

28:25 There's a story behind the packaging.

28:29 So what is your plan now for Alto?

28:33 What are your projected plans for bringing the product?

28:39 What we're doing now, Sir Butch,

28:42 you said that when we met online during the pandemic,

28:49 we're back in 2020.

28:50 Yeah, I remember that.

28:52 You suddenly went to our FB page,

28:59 and you said, "If anyone wants to pay,

29:03 online consultation, I'm free."

29:05 Then you suddenly called.

29:07 That is our takeaway with your statement before.

29:14 Now, you need to strengthen your horizontal.

29:17 Because our target market now is not just URMOC.

29:21 Even in Iloilo, I know that we didn't just sell there because there are many choices.

29:28 But what our intent is to do B2B.

29:31 I talked with Marriott Hotel in Iloilo.

29:35 I talked with another hotel there.

29:37 I talked with manufacturers there.

29:40 So that's what I'm saying.

29:41 If we talk, we'll have a B2B agreement.

29:45 Then that is our sale.

29:47 We won't just go there for a pass.

29:50 So that's our goal, to penetrate the local or local market.

29:58 Then eventually, the international market.

30:00 Because there's potential. We join trade fairs nationwide.

30:07 The Sabahandi of Region 8 said, "If you're ready, we'll bring you to other places."

30:16 Like DTI will sponsor.

30:18 The AMB, Export Management Bureau,

30:21 they will bring lots of micro-entrepreneurs abroad just to join as long as you are qualified.

30:28 That's our target.

30:30 One of these days, we'll be given an opportunity.

30:33 Ormoc City will have a banner product, Cal2Peak, that can really reach abroad as a product.

30:40 But tell me, have you tested this product?

30:45 Because I've talked with some people in the chocolate industry.

30:49 They're scared about shipping it to Singapore, much less in the US,

30:56 because of the shipment.

30:59 Have you analyzed that, Noel and Celeste?

31:03 The criticality of the product is heat and impact.

31:11 If it feels heat, it melts.

31:15 If your packaging is not sturdy, it will be crushed.

31:22 Another packaging that we will eventually explore is a paper tube type.

31:33 Paper tube is thick and at the same time sturdy.

31:38 Okay.

31:40 There is a manufacturer in Cebu that got Amazon because of that packaging.

31:50 Correct.

31:51 Correct.

31:52 That's why I said that if Amazon got it because of the packaging,

31:56 we will really explore that type of packaging and we will follow.

32:01 Because the packaging of our chair boots is a stand-up pouch.

32:08 It has no protection for impact.

32:11 If it gets too hot, it can be damaged.

32:17 But the paper tube type is different because it's thick and the packaging is sturdy.

32:23 Correct. Correct.

32:24 Those are the things.

32:27 If you look at your product in business, you're not only maintaining the local target within your own region

32:37 or probably much more in NCR or the whole Philippines, but looking at it internationally.

32:44 Because your product is not for general mass.

32:50 This is an upscale chocolate wherein you said it's a gift that you'll be proud of.

32:59 That's one of the things that entrepreneurs like you are now looking at.

33:05 Because never stop learning.

33:07 You need to learn.

33:09 That's right. Because once you get stagnant, that's it.

33:14 You're flat.

33:15 But again, the world has no boundaries.

33:18 You are in digitalization now.

33:20 Then bringing the product to the major stream, that will be the challenge.

33:27 That will be the crowning glory of Altopea.

33:31 That's what we said.

33:33 Anyway, share with me, there are a lot of viewers here that you will probably husband and wife,

33:43 who are also corporate, and they're probably asking or looking at each other,

33:49 "Can we work together in the next chapter of life?"

33:55 "What happened? How did you gel? How did you become a swack as a husband and wife?"

34:01 Because some people I talk to, husband and wife,

34:04 on the weekends, they don't argue anymore.

34:08 It's like, "I hope it's weekdays so they can go separate ways."

34:12 But what are your takeaways, Celeste, as the wife of Noel and partner in business?

34:20 What is your takeaway, your advice to women, Celeste?

34:24 I think you need to really trust your partner.

34:29 Because for me, you've said before, "Do you experience terror or anxiety?"

34:40 I do experience that a lot.

34:42 For example, we are running two small businesses.

34:47 We have a good number of employees already dependent on us.

34:53 Our family is also dependent on the success of our business.

34:59 So daily, I do feel that anxiety.

35:02 But every time I woke up, I really tell him, even my anxiety, I tell him that.

35:12 Then usually when he talks about me, then he talks about God and how we should surrender.

35:20 Because I really tell him that everything that is happening in the business of Altopic Chocolates,

35:27 it's not really our own power working.

35:31 We really feel that there's something really extraordinary working for us.

35:36 We're working for the success of the business.

35:39 So in that way, we draw strength from that also.

35:46 I think that's a major for us.

35:48 That pushed us to be outside of ourselves.

35:54 Then just do what we can do.

35:57 Then leave the rest for him to work it out for us.

36:02 Because for example, every time we think of things like, "We should do this.

36:08 We should be researching about this one.

36:11 We should push our business to be like this."

36:13 Then from that, once we decided to go with that idea,

36:18 then here comes someone really extraordinary.

36:24 Because there is someone coming on our way that will help us solve that one.

36:30 So even without our effort, really there is an intervention already.

36:36 So it's really a trust, right?

36:38 Noel, you're not letting your heart get weak yet.

36:43 And working together with Celeste.

36:45 I'm not letting my heart get weak.

36:47 I'm not, sir Butch, because I don't have anxiety.

36:51 I'm just chill.

36:53 And for me, it's a trust my God.

36:58 Like, I said, "Lord, you removed my job.

37:03 Now I'm doing business. Help me."

37:05 I said that to him.

37:07 So that's what I said to him.

37:09 When Celeste experienced more of this anxiety, uncertainties in life,

37:14 I keep on pushing him, keep pushing her that we need to celebrate small victories.

37:20 We need to think that we can't do this if he doesn't have help, he said.

37:27 So that is why our take-away, our give-back to him,

37:33 when I prayed to him, I said,

37:36 "Make us an instrument to help other people."

37:39 That's really our prayer.

37:41 When we see that Alto Pick is growing and we have a lot of employees,

37:46 from a non-entrepreneur, which was just me before,

37:49 now we have 18 employees.

37:52 That's a lot.

37:54 So now, you can see that we have a lot of help.

37:58 And our social enterprise advocacies,

38:01 we have a lot of farmers, waivers, even the prisoners,

38:07 we help them sell their products.

38:11 It's already a good sign for us that we can continue this

38:15 because a lot of people benefit and a lot of people are also living.

38:19 And maybe this is the sign that we can continue, I told him.

38:25 Correct, correct.

38:26 But this is good, this is good.

38:28 This is the purpose of our blog.

38:31 There are a lot of giving hope to people who are looking for it,

38:35 telling people that it's not too late to learn, just like you.

38:40 Transition in life.

38:42 Sometimes we have crossroads.

38:44 People are scared to cross the bridge of the unknown, but you did.

38:48 And again, the challenges and really working on your own.

38:52 In other words, you're the boss now.

38:54 You're not the boss anymore.

38:57 So that's one of the things.

38:59 So as a businessman now, like now, we are facing economic challenges.

39:10 What do you think will be the way for Altupeak to survive the challenges

39:19 and the economic stages we're in?

39:22 Prices, commodities are increasing, electricity.

39:28 Where do you want to take the course?

39:32 Because you're like the captain of the ship.

39:35 You want to avoid the storm.

39:38 Where would you want Altupeak to be heading in this sign of the times

39:45 of our economic challenges?

39:47 We can see that, sir Butch.

39:51 For example, there are a lot of aspects beyond our control, especially the raw mats.

39:58 Our raw mats are always changing almost every day, every week.

40:04 Just two weeks ago, I received a communication from our major suppliers

40:09 that this is our increase.

40:11 Not just 10%, almost 50%.

40:14 We cannot change our prices right away.

40:18 That's difficult.

40:20 So our goal is to reduce the overhead cost, mechanization, increase the productivity,

40:30 maximize the potential of your employees, empower them to be creative, produce more,

40:37 entertain, provide good services to our customers, to give them a reason to come back,

40:44 to give them a reason to buy again, and to give them a reason to patronize local products.

40:50 Because we're good at it.

40:52 So we need to instill that to our customers.

40:56 That's our goal.

40:57 Because we want to be liquid.

40:59 Because if we don't become liquid in the operation,

41:02 especially my wife is an accountant,

41:05 we get scolded, sir Boots.

41:08 You're getting a memo.

41:12 Yes, a memo.

41:13 To explain.

41:14 We receive the memo.

41:16 That's how it is, sir Boots.

41:17 So it's hard when you have an accountant next to you and you're being questioned, you're being audited.

41:24 So it's really important that you find a way to make the operation liquid,

41:32 maximize the potential, empower your people, and take care of your customers.

41:38 So that's what we're doing.

41:39 As for the uncertain concerns, romance, we don't have control over that.

41:47 But wherever we have control, we focus on that.

41:50 Correct.

41:51 And be resilient.

41:53 Yes.

41:54 That's what we should give.

41:59 Because some people are doing business, they have a little bit of money to give.

42:03 It's already falling.

42:04 But again, you grew up in the midst of the pandemic and you know already the challenges,

42:11 but you're able to reach the peak of where you are and where you want to go.

42:19 Again, Noel Celeste, it's been a good time sharing, especially how you have crossed the bridge of the unknown,

42:30 both of you, and now growing using the word, the name, Alto Peak.

42:36 And we hope to see Alto Peak not only prospering in the shores of the Philippines,

42:43 but also going global, especially in North America.

42:48 And become one of the good brands, known brands.

42:52 We can always be competitive with the brands that are known.

42:57 There's always room for growth.

42:59 So, yeah, I wish you all the luck.

43:02 And again, I hope you're an inspiration to a lot of entrepreneurs.

43:08 Okay?

43:09 So again, thank you very much, Noel Celeste.

43:11 God bless.

43:12 And again, keep that vision alive.

43:15 All right?

43:16 All right.

43:17 So again, thank you very much.

43:18 Thank you very much.

43:19 Thank you, Paul.

43:20 Thank you, Paul.

43:21 Thank you.

43:28 Thank you.

43:29 Thank you.

43:30 Thank you.

43:31 Thank you.

43:31 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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