Agriculturist finds passion, purpose in entrepreneurship

The Manila Times

Agriculturist finds passion, purpose in entrepreneurship  Meet Elmer Marbello—an extraordinary individual who has dedicated 35 years to serving the Province of Marinduque as an agriculturist. With a heart rooted in the land, Elmer's journey is a powerful reminder that true passion knows no age limits. Planning his retirement at 55, Elmer wasn't content with just resting on his laurels. Instead, he embraced the opportunity to innovate. Discovering the untapped potential of local products, he launched a line of unique offerings, including his standout creation: Cocoong Bagoong—deliciously crafted without shrimp. Elmer's relentless pursuit of excellence and his commitment to supporting local agriculture have earned him numerous awards, but it’s his entrepreneurial spirit that truly sets him apart. Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe   Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net   Subscribe to Business Franchise Guru: https://www.youtube.com/@BusinessFranchiseGuru   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  Sign up to our newsletters: https://tmt.ph/newsletters  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

00:00The Business Mentor Talks is vlog by no other, Armando Buts Bartolome, in cooperation with

00:14the Manila Times.

00:15It aims to bring to life and recognize entrepreneurs who constantly strive to create a living for

00:21the community as well.

00:51Listen to the Business Mentor Talks with Buts Bartolome.

01:15Business Mentor Blog, this is Buts Bartolome again of the Business Mentor over here at

01:21Manila Times.

01:22Do you know, what others are saying is that if you're retired, you're already retired.

01:28But we have a friend here whom I met in DTI, the last DTI National Trade in Mega Mall.

01:38It's funny because he is ever young looking.

01:44I never thought that he will retire.

01:49So I will tell you about a man, an entrepreneur who created a lot of products of his creativity

01:59and products that are now ready to shoot the world, as we say.

02:05So let's not delay it any longer, let's get to know Mr. Elmer Marbello of Memo Foods and

02:14Marinduque.

02:15Good morning to you, Elmer.

02:19Good morning.

02:20Yeah.

02:21So I told you that you are a retiree.

02:24What was your job that day before you became an entrepreneur?

02:31I am an agriculturalist by profession.

02:36I started my career at the age of 21.

02:43I graduated in 1981 and right there and there.

02:47I was able to work in the government.

02:51Now, after 35 years in the government service, I retired at the age of 60.

03:04But that's not the story.

03:07That's just the beginning.

03:13I started dreaming of what I will do when I retire at the age of 55.

03:23Because I made to myself at the age of 60, whether they like it or not, I will retire at the age of 60.

03:32So at the age of 55, I said, what can I do?

03:40Should I just drink?

03:43Which is usually what the retirees are doing after their retirement.

03:49I said, it's just a small amount that I got from my retirement.

03:56So I said, I need to prepare myself.

04:05First, I need to be happy.

04:08Second, my brain is working.

04:11Third, I need to be busy.

04:14Because if I'm not busy, I'll just be at home watching Netflix.

04:19Or talking to people of the same age.

04:26At the age of 55, I started developing some products.

04:32That's how I started as a retiree.

04:37At the age of 60, I retired.

04:40Is my understanding correct that you started planning at the age of 55?

04:47You didn't wait for the age of 60.

04:51Finish or not finish, pass the papers.

04:54It's like that.

04:55You were in a hurry.

04:57You really planned that five years from now, this is what you will study,

05:04this is what you will do by the time you reach 60.

05:06Is that correct, Elmer?

05:09That's correct.

05:10Actually, my age now is 64.

05:15I'm now 64.

05:17Okay.

05:18I passed my retirement.

05:23I started with Marbello Enterprises.

05:29I started at the age of 17.

05:35At the age of 57, I'm sorry.

05:37At the age of 57, I started developing products.

05:43I registered at DTI.

05:46I trained at KMME.

05:49That's how I started.

05:52I was encouraged.

05:54I was encouraged by KMME to be a businessman like this.

06:00For our viewers, KMME stands for Kapatid Mentor Me.

06:09That is one of the programs created by the Department of Trade

06:13in conjunction with the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship or GoNegosyo.

06:18So, you studied that for a long time, right, Elmer?

06:23That's 12 modules, right?

06:25That's 12 modules.

06:27And by chance, I was enrolled.

06:32I was just encouraged by the DTI personnel

06:35who told me that they were short of participants.

06:38I said, okay, I'll give it to you because I don't do much.

06:44I enrolled.

06:46I planned to attend just one session.

06:50Then the following session, I won't attend anymore.

06:55But it's different because it's fun.

07:00The topics are beautiful.

07:02So, I finished the 12 modules.

07:05And I said, this might be the one that will help me

07:11in my dream of having a business when I retire.

07:16So, that's how it happened.

07:19At the same time, I was making my products.

07:23At the same time, I was studying at KMME.

07:28At the same time, my mindset was prepared to become a retired business.

07:40A retired business, I don't know how to call it.

07:44Retrepreneur, right?

07:47You're retired but you're an entrepreneur, right?

07:51Retrepreneur, or retreaded.

07:54So, in short, another chapter in your life, right?

07:59Recap.

08:00Yes.

08:01That's a recap, right?

08:02Okay.

08:03What are your first products that made you happy?

08:07Because you were the first one to see in Marinduque

08:11that you're really into coconuts, right?

08:15Everywhere you go, right?

08:17What did you do with coconuts?

08:21What product did you start there, Elmer?

08:24The coconut, anywhere you look in Marinduque, there are a lot of coconuts.

08:31But I did not start the business with coconuts.

08:37I just started cooking peanuts.

08:39Tell us about that. That's a good story.

08:43Is it okay now?

08:44Yes.

08:46Okay.

08:48I started making peanuts.

08:53When I was making peanuts, I bought peanuts.

09:00I asked for more garlic.

09:03I just bought a piece of garlic.

09:06I said, I'll make a lot of peanuts.

09:10That's what came to my mind right away.

09:13When I got home, I made peanuts.

09:18After that, I tasted it.

09:20They said it was delicious.

09:22The people who tasted it said, put a label.

09:26Put a label.

09:27Put a good packaging to sell.

09:31So that's what I did.

09:32I just followed their suggestions.

09:34Until I made peanuts with a lot of garlic.

09:40Now, since I'm going to retire at the age of 60,

09:48the second thing I did was make vinegar.

09:52Since there are a lot of coconuts in Marinduque,

09:55I said, vinegar is the easiest.

09:58Anyone who eats vinegar,

10:03because it's a condiment.

10:07I said, I think this has a thrill.

10:10So I made vinegar.

10:12But when I was making vinegar in tuba,

10:16because I don't make tuba,

10:19I also buy tuba.

10:21I said, why is it salty?

10:23Why is it sometimes salty?

10:25So I said, maybe I should make my own.

10:29So I made my own vinegar,

10:32made from coconut water.

10:35That's it.

10:37There.

10:39Okay.

10:40So what are the ingredients, Elmer?

10:45The ingredients here,

10:49actually, when you taste it, the color is more intense.

10:54It has chili, garlic, onion, ginger, and salt.

11:03So I seasoned it.

11:05And a lot of people liked it.

11:07So I went straight to it.

11:10I packaged it.

11:12They said, do that.

11:15It's delicious.

11:16It clicks.

11:17So whatever the tasters said,

11:20I did it.

11:22Then the DTI, since I graduated from KMME,

11:26the DTI helped me.

11:30They said, okay, do a seminar at SGS.

11:34We did a seminar at SGS for their Agapay program.

11:41So I applied for LTO,

11:48and at the same time, they gave me CPR.

11:52Wow, congratulations.

11:54So how do you feel now that you've made a product that has reached everyone,

12:01in terms of flavor, in terms of government support, and everything.

12:05How do you feel about yourself now?

12:08As I said, my dream is to retire.

12:14This will become a business.

12:17I was also surprised at myself.

12:19I really didn't think it would be like that.

12:23I just follow what the customer wants.

12:28Since we were in Marinduque,

12:32the buyers told me,

12:35sir, your vinegar is heavy, how can I buy it?

12:38So I did it.

12:40I repackaged the same content.

12:43I put it in a plastic bottle.

12:45I re-labeled it.

12:47I put the word, the name of the sauce.

12:51But I don't have the stock.

12:54So I re-labeled it.

12:56It clicked because it's lighter.

13:00It's more convenient, not light.

13:02It's more convenient for those who visit Marinduque.

13:06Correct, correct.

13:08So it became natural for you to listen to the customers,

13:13to verify your product,

13:16and then proceed from there on.

13:19In other words, professionalize it

13:21with the assistance of the Department of Trade.

13:24Yes.

13:25So that way, it will continue.

13:27It's not that your customers like it,

13:30and that's it.

13:31You continue to develop.

13:35That's my passion.

13:37I do not stop.

13:39I do not stop when someone says it's delicious.

13:43No.

13:44I have to improve it,

13:46continuously improve it.

13:48That's my goal.

13:56Correct, correct.

13:58So that's it.

13:59But tell me,

14:00okay, you're in business now.

14:03Who's with you in business now, Elmer?

14:10At first,

14:14I was the only one cooking.

14:16I was the only one doing it.

14:18But now,

14:20the number of people buying my products is increasing.

14:30I also have a helper here.

14:33I pay them per piece of work.

14:36Okay.

14:38My production is not daily.

14:40They pay me per piece of work.

14:46The good thing about this is,

14:48at first,

14:49I was the only one cooking.

14:55Now, I have a helper,

14:57my whole family.

14:58Wow.

14:59So that's it.

15:00What I know is,

15:01you just said that you have a son

15:03who studies food technology.

15:06Is that correct?

15:08Yes, I do.

15:11He graduated from UP Los Baños,

15:14a licensed food technologist.

15:16That's great.

15:17He graduated from UP Los Baños.

15:19That's great because you were able to convince your family.

15:26There are people who say that their family doesn't want to do it.

15:32So your challenge is to convince your family

15:39before you can convince the public.

15:41Is that correct?

15:45Yes, that's my challenge.

15:47Yes.

15:48So now,

15:49what is Elmer's plan now?

15:51What are the steps that Elmer will take in the coming times?

15:56What is your plan now?

16:00Actually,

16:01my focus now is on Coco Ong.

16:06That's great.

16:08Coco Ong.

16:09The packaging is beautiful.

16:10It's beautiful.

16:11Okay.

16:12So tell me about Coco Ong.

16:15Yeah, Coco Ong.

16:16Describe Coco Ong.

16:19The simple description of Coco Ong is

16:22it tastes like shrimp paste,

16:24it tastes like alamang,

16:26but there is no alamang.

16:28It is the best alternative for those who have allergies to shrimp.

16:35I have three variants.

16:39There is chili.

16:40Here it is.

16:42Coco Ong with chili.

16:44And for those who request vegan,

16:49here it is.

16:50Vegan.

16:52Wow.

16:53So there are three variants.

16:57Is that correct?

16:58My description is Coco Ong that doesn't taste like alamang or shrimp.

17:03Right?

17:04There is no shrimp.

17:05There is no shrimp.

17:07So that's correct because there are a lot of people who are allergic to it.

17:12At the same time,

17:13in America alone,

17:16we are not allowed to export shrimp and alamang.

17:23That's why our friend,

17:26Department of Trade Attaché Commissioner,

17:29Eric Elnar,

17:30was excited when I posted that Coco Ong.

17:34And you were just waiting.

17:37Right?

17:38So there.

17:39So Elmar,

17:40I don't want to bother you because I know you are under a lot of creativity.

17:46You are Einstein.

17:48You are Einstein of creativity.

17:52Now,

17:53maybe one of the good things is

17:55you used to be a mentee of KMME

17:58and now,

17:59they probably look up to you as their mentor.

18:03What advice can you give to people who would be retirees?

18:09What golden steps can you give?

18:16Maybe my advice to those who would be retirees,

18:21first,

18:22prepare yourself ahead before your retirement.

18:26Whether it's a business or something else,

18:31wherever you are,

18:32be happy.

18:34I became happy in cooking.

18:37That's where I ventured.

18:43Because,

18:44I repeat what I said,

18:46it's either I'll just eat or I'll drink.

18:50Correct.

18:51That's two different things.

18:53But I choose to be productive.

18:59Remember,

19:00when I retired,

19:02it's easy to run out of money.

19:08It's easy to run out of money.

19:10And there must be some passive income or something sustainable.

19:14To sustain your needs.

19:17For medicines,

19:19and other things.

19:21You should have some income.

19:24Correct.

19:25That's how you should start when you retire.

19:28Second,

19:29you should be happy.

19:31You shouldn't be forced.

19:33Your parents didn't force you,

19:36your wife didn't force you,

19:38your children didn't force you to do this.

19:42Find a place where you can be happy.

19:46It's like you,

19:47you're already 64 years old,

19:49I remember,

19:50but you don't look 64.

19:54I look like I'm 63.

19:59You look like you're only 63.

20:01But again,

20:02your advice is good.

20:04I'm happy.

20:05You said,

20:06don't retire when you don't have a plan

20:08at least five years before.

20:11That's right.

20:13If you're going to retire,

20:15for example,

20:16tomorrow is your retirement,

20:18let's say,

20:19finish or not finish,

20:20the company will tell you.

20:22It's a mandatory retirement.

20:26You need to leave.

20:29For me,

20:30being a retiree is a final examination

20:33of what you learned in the past.

20:36You went through a lot of seminars,

20:38I'm sure,

20:39in the government.

20:40You attended a lot of conferences.

20:42Now,

20:43it's time for you to prove

20:44that what you learned is what you can do.

20:47I think you already proved that,

20:48Elmer.

20:49I'm sure you're proud.

20:51What do you call the people of Marinduque?

20:53What do you call them?

20:55The people of Batangueño.

20:56Marinduqueños.

20:58Marinduqueños.

20:59Oh,

21:00so you're going to be a son

21:03that the people of Marinduque are very proud of.

21:08I really hope that,

21:10I'm so happy,

21:11I'm so happy

21:12that you were able to build a building

21:15as a result of your passion.

21:18It's a process.

21:19You did this professionally,

21:21Elmer.

21:25Elmer,

21:26did you do this professionally,

21:28building your building?

21:30You already had a process.

21:31Everything.

21:36Because we saw in the family

21:40that it will be

21:44growing.

21:46We need to adapt.

21:49We need to invest in this

21:52because the market is good.

21:56People like it.

21:58So,

21:59we need to build a new plant.

22:02Not a big plant,

22:04but a small one.

22:05So,

22:06we need to prepare

22:10so that we can have

22:14regulations.

22:16That's how it is now.

22:23At the age of 64,

22:25I'm very happy and I'm very proud of my products.

22:29I'm really happy here.

22:33You're very happy.

22:35I hope everyone,

22:36I hope all,

22:37as we say,

22:38the retirees,

22:39can learn from you.

22:41So,

22:42where can I contact you,

22:44Elmer?

22:45If, for example,

22:46they want to buy

22:48a house,

22:50a business,

22:52where can I contact you?

22:55I have a webpage

22:59called Memo Foods.

23:02You can find me there

23:06on Instagram,

23:07Facebook.

23:10We'll just do a flash poll.

23:12Yes, yes.

23:13Send me pictures

23:15and videos,

23:17especially your processing plant.

23:20It really inspires

23:22what you're doing.

23:23It's not just one word.

23:25You walk the talk.

23:29Again,

23:30thank you very much for this opportunity.

23:33I'm sure

23:34I'll be following up on

23:38Memo Foods.

23:41I'm sure

23:42I'll see you again

23:44in different exhibits.

23:48You're a troublemaker.

23:50You'll become an idol

23:52to other people.

23:53Okay?

23:54Again,

23:55thank you very much.

23:56Thank you very much,

23:57Elmer.

23:58Again,

23:59regards to the family.

24:01Keep it up.

24:02Okay?

24:04Thank you very much, Elmer.

24:07Thank you very much.

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