SAN MIGUEL, SURIGAO DEL SUR — When the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the country in 2020, it left countless Filipino families grappling with unemployment and financial uncertainty. In the quiet town of San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, Mr. Joebert Andrew Elizalde and his wife chose a different path. Rather than surrender to the circumstances, they planted the seeds of what would become a thriving local food and beverage enterprise. In October 2020, they established YAS Milktea House in Purok 5, Barangay Tina, with operations beginning in January 2021. Armed with just PHP2,000 in capital and five milk tea flavors, they set out to build something from almost nothing.
A Journey Built on Perseverance and Adaptability
The road from a small homegrown sideline to a growing enterprise was anything but smooth. The couple managed the business largely on their own, navigating rising ingredient costs, inconsistent product quality, power interruptions, and employee turnover. During the pandemic, when mobility restrictions threatened to halt operations, they adapted by introducing packed meals to continue serving travelers and customers. Their experience reinforced a lesson that would define their journey: when circumstances change, businesses must be willing to change with them. Instead of giving up, the Elizaldes chose to learn, adapt, and reinvest. They participated in festivals, bazaars, and food-related activities to expand their market, strengthened their financial monitoring, and practiced better management of sales, expenses, and cash flow. Rather than immediately taking their earnings, they poured their profits back into equipment, store improvements, product development, and other business needs.
Government Support That Made a Difference
The couple's commitment to learning was further strengthened through programs and interventions from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Through the Kapatid Mentor ME–Money Market Encounter (KMME-MME) Program, they gained access to free weekly, one-on-one virtual mentoring sessions designed to sharpen their business knowledge in areas such as marketing, financial management, and operations. The KMME program, a flagship initiative of DTI in partnership with the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) – Go Negosyo, provides micro-entrepreneurs with a comprehensive mentorship curriculum to boost their entrepreneurial capacity. In addition to mentorship, the Elizaldes accessed financing assistance through the Small Business Corporation (SB Corp.), which offered them the capital needed to support their business development. This combination of mentorship and accessible financing created a support system that helped transform their small venture into a sustainable enterprise.
From Five Flavors to a Thriving Community Enterprise
The results of their perseverance and the support they received are evident in the growth of YAS Milktea House. From only five milk tea flavors, the business now offers a wider variety of affordable food and beverages, including pizza, burgers, fries, shawarma, takoyaki, chicken wings, rice meals, waffles, iced coffee, and other snacks. The enterprise has expanded to two branches within Barangay Tina and now provides employment to approximately five to nine workers, creating livelihood opportunities for members of their community. For the Elizaldes, business growth is not only about increasing sales, it is about supporting their family, providing a source of income for others, and contributing to the local economy. Their story demonstrates that businesses do not always begin with large capital or perfect conditions. Sometimes, they begin with a small amount of savings, a simple idea, and the determination to make things work. Through perseverance, continuous learning, adaptability, reinvestment, and the right support, Joebert and his wife transformed a difficult chapter into an opportunity—not only for themselves but for the people and community they serve.
