Clean and Disinfect? Do it on your own

How a family’s never-ending love created a business a business

Sofia Madrid | Editorial Writer

Sipping something warm, thick, and flavorful while indulging fancy landscapes outdoors really does the job of relieving stress on a busy day. The Batangas Lomi will always be a local’s pick when it comes to stress relieving as it can never go obsolete with its rich gooey soup, loads of different toppings, and delicious yellow noodles.

“Ayun ang gusto ng mister ko.” says Hernanda Valdoz, owner of CTC LOMI, when asked why she started a business of lomihan. “Ang business naming ito ang iniwan ng anak naming namatay, ang kanyang perang nainvest, siya naming ginawang puhunan, iyong pinaka breadwinner naming panganay na anak.” Hernanda Valdoz started CTC LOMI in August 2020 to commemorate her eldest son who passed away, using the investments he left in creating a business that will later help the family grow financially. The Valdoz couple, together with their children put in a lot of effort in making their small business flourish. Waking up at dawn to buy ingredients, catering a full-packed business, and delivering a bunch of online orders are only some of Valdoz’s family efforts in maintaining their small lomihan. With these sweats, they’ve come to create a hearty menu for their customers. CTC offer different silogs along with the 3 versions of their lomi soup: Regular, Special, and their best seller Overload.

All three vary from their toppings and serving. Regular has egg, squidball, kikiam, fishball, and chicharron. Special has the same toppings, but with siomai, shanghai, and liver. Overload has it all plus embutido and sausage, with more serving and meat. CTC has only been around for almost two years yet people always kept coming for more. When Hernanda was asked why her lomi is different from the rest, “Dito sa toyo” she answered with a bit of a laugh. “May secret recipe ako dyan” she added. Not only does her toppings do wonders to her lomi, but also her secret sauce that made people recognize her growing business more.

Although CTC is not yet known in the larger public, its ongoing fruitfulness made it stay. What makes Valdoz’s lomihan stand is the fact that she does not take CTC as a mere business, but as a memory of her late son as well. She loved and treasured it as much as she did with her child, and that became the catalyst of CTC’s growing success.

When visiting Batangas, come and take a taste of CTC LOMI located at Sitio, Brgy. Bilaran Camachilihan, Nasugbu Batangas. You can also visit their FB page: CTC LOMI ATBP.

Panlasangpinoy.com Layout by Andrei Tayag

Escentials

Perfume shop

Louie Margarette Milla | Editorial Writer HOW “ESCENTIAL” PERFUME SHOP INSPIRED SHEIN TO MOVE FORWARD

In times where everyone feels like the whole world stopped, there is a young woman who chose to go on for her future.

“I feel like this is a good practice ground for my future,” says Shein Delos Angeles, the young woman behind Escentials, as one of the reasons why she built her online perfume shop. Shein is a 2nd-year Chemistry major at Polytechnic University of the Philippines. Growing up, she has always been fascinated by how her mom formulated/made shampoos, lip balms and cologne for their own household use. This fascination turned into an inspiration, resulting in her taking the same path with her mom.

Launched last April 2021, Escentials is an online shop based in Montalban that sells different kinds of perfumes inspired by high-end brands. A locally made and produced version of these upscale brands, emitting the same feel and fragrance of luxury with a more affordable price. Shein believes that we should not deny the Filipinos the privilege of feeling posh just because of their lack of budget. Instead, we should make it more accessible to them. From candy, fruity, floral, and soft baby powder scents that will provide you with that sweet and candid finish. To fresh spicy, woody, zesty, and cool scents that boost your confidence. The products vary from two sizes, 60ml and 85ml.

Aside from perfumes, she has recently expanded her products. Escentials now offer Room Sprays that refreshes your home and gives your

personal space a pleasant aroma. It is 250ml per bottle, available in 2 scents. You can choose your home perfume in the scent of lavender or coffee rush. Escentials products are continuously receiving positive feedback from its clients. The brand aims to encourage people to still give emphasis in taking care of their body and presenting themselves.

It seems unusual to launch a business in the middle of a pandemic knowing the circumstances. However, Shein viewed it differently. “Since we’re stuck in our houses because of COVID, it has served as a distraction or stress-reliever since I have other things to think about. I feel free while doing what I love despite us being on lockdown.” Shein is very hands-on on this venture, from buying the perfumes’ components, product branding and designing, customer service, handling of the social media accounts up to the packaging of parcels. She meticulously handles every part of the business and assures that every product is at its best state, with every client satisfied.

For Shein, Escentials is more than just a source of income. This venture, no matter how heavy the workload is, has served as a little freeing activity for her. By formulating the perfumes, she not just feels free and de-stressed, she also does her passion. Instead of treating this pandemic as a step back, Shein and her Escentials business have used this as an opportunity to be one step closer to her dream.

Treat yourselves by ordering at getyour_escential on Instagram and shoppe, and getyourescential on Facebook.

Camachilihan, Nasugbu Batangas. You can also visit their FB page: CTC LOMI ATBP.

@getyour_escential on Intsagram