Starting a business during pandemic is challenging, but for Dabawenyas Christina Mendoza, Dr. Trisha Manalaysay and Crystal Joy Rebucas, it’s an opportunity.
Optimistic that a business has the potential to survive and even thrive during a pandemic, they decided to open a business that offers new and exciting brand to Dabawenyos.
They brought home premium gelato brand, Gelato Manila, not only to serve tasty flavors of gelato but to support the local brand and help SMEs thrive even in the middle of this trying time.
Banker Christina de Mendoza, Dr. Trisha Manalaysay, and F&B Retail General Manager and Hotel Director Crystal Joy Rebucas are best friends who met in Ateneo de Davao High School.
Rebucas is friends with both the chef and owner of Gelato Manila, Zarah Manikan, and thought it would be a good idea to bring the world class locally homemade premium gelato brand to her hometown Davao City.
“We know it’ll be challenging to start a business during the pandemic but now is also the best time to support local brands and to be part of the SME ecosystem,” Rebucas said.
They started in November last year and continue to be home based without any marketing budget to spare.
“So we’re really grateful for families, friends and foodies who have become regular customers and brand ambassadors,” Rebucas said.
This summer, they added new flavor to their menu, the premium green tea gelato. It is so tasty that you will lick the last bit of it.
“We always strive for the perfect balance of flavors in every spoonful, so we hope you will like this one,” Rebucas said.
Gelato Manila’s best sellers are café mocha, ube, malted chocolate, vanilla chocolate chip, polvorones and strawberries and cream.
There’s also the pistachio as the lone premium flavor that will definitely satisfy your cold sugar cravings and the dark chocolate for non-dairy and vegan option.
To order, just message @gelatomanila_mindanao on IG. You can also order by sending a message directly to the Facebook/Instagram accounts of Christina (@tingdemendoza).
