Fishy Business | The Manila Times

Olive Sta. Juana
Owner
Papaping’s Baked Boneless Bangus

“We were emotional when we first opened our outlet in Mandaluyong in November 2017, as we could not believe that we were able to carry on with our plan to have our own business.”

BANGUS (milkfish) is a favorite staple in the Filipino dining table.

Whether fried, roasted, grilled or smoked, bangus has become a most sought-after dish during fiestas, birthdays or just a comfort food.

Seeing the business potential of bangus, Olive Sta. Juana and her husband Ping opened Papaping’s Baked Boneless Bangus in November 2017.

From the family’s favorite dish, the baked boneless bangus has become a booming business for the Sta. Juanas.

Sta. Juanas said that their customers were often surprised that boneless bangus can be baked.

Bangus is usually either grilled, fried or smoked.

Initially, the Sta. Juanas distributed bangus to families, friends and colleagues.

The business quickly gained momentum through referrals leading to the opening of their first take-out outlet in Barangka Drive in Mandaluyong City.

It only takes five minutes to prepare the bangus prior to baking for an hour, said Olive. This is a tastier option as the flavor is simmered down as the fish is baked; every slice of bangus meat is relished down to the last bite.

She said that this is their first business together as husband-and-wife team. Both of them had to adjust to working sans regular salary, but they’re enjoying more quality time with their children, Klyde, 20, and Kiesha, 15, who are helping in the family venture. Now the Sta. Juanas get to manage their resources more diligently.

Olive had always been employed having previously worked in a bank, a business process outsourcing firm and in a cooperative, while husband Ping worked as a sales staff, security guard and supervisor in a restaurant prior to setting up a business. It was a big leap for both of them to try their hands on food entrepreneurship.

“We were emotional when we first opened our outlet in Mandaluyong in November 2017, as we could not believe that we were able to carry on with our plan to have our own business,” said Sta. Juana.

“We thank God for his guidance in helping us with our bangus business,” she added.

She said though that at first, it was not easy for them as husband and wife to operate the business. There were decisions made which were not mutual, but they navigated through as both wanted to prosper in the business.

God and family are important in our relationship and business became relatively manageable, she said.

Going into the food business entails a good mix of culinary skills and business acumen. The husband-and-wife team benefits from the partnership.

Ping is the chef and developer of products, while Olive handles logistics, marketing and promotions.

Son Klyde helps in the processing of the products while daughter Kiesha helps in laying out and packaging of promotional tools such as tarpaulin signs, posters and name cards. The division of labor in the family helps them bond.

She said that her family is the first believer and supporter of Papaping’s products. The family gets to sample all the products, and when all of them agree on the taste, texture and aroma and flavor, the new products are then added to the food offerings.

“We loved to eat, and we are certain that our customers would also take delight in the aroma and flavors of the bangus that we sell,” she said.

“God blessed me with a husband who is passionate in cooking and creating new menus,” she said. Our family is helping each other in the business operation,” she said.

“Our satisfaction is, therefore, derived from the satisfaction of our customers,” she added.

Bangus is sourced from Dagupan City, the nation’s bangus capital.

Papaping’s Bangus now sells a minimum of 30 pieces daily from 10 when they started.

Starting with only one staff, the business now employs five people tasked to handle one stall and one outlet, both in Mandaluyong.

The products also expanded, from the mere baked boneless bangus, Papaping’s now offers sweet and spicy bagoong, chili garlic sauce, crispy fried bangus and bangus siomai.

Challenge hit hard though during the pandemic, recalled Olive.

Quite unprepared for the impact of the pandemic, they had to rely on the generosity of relatives to lend them money to tie them over. Bagoong was sold in the meantime when supplies were scarce. But due to hard work and perseverance, husband and wife thrived. They soldiered on even if they did not have enough savings.

“We had to continue as we believed in the business,” she said.

Papaping’s also participated in food and trade fairs by government agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry, and Department of Agriculture, which gave them enough exposure for their bangus products.

In the future, Olive plans to set up a restaurant and to offer Papaping’s on a franchise arrangement to others who want to resell but do not have the time to develop their own products.

It is still a long way to go, she admits, but the family is buoyed by their passion to provide quality bangus products to other families.

It helped that her college degree is Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, which she finished in Colegio de San Juan de Letran.

Papaping is continuously developing new products at their family home.

She said that they have to aspire to elevate the quality of their bangus products more than their competitors in the market.

“We have to introduce new products to keep going,” she added.

“We know that we did our best, and we let our creator do the rest. We surrender everything to him and we seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to make it successful. We always give thanks to God for every customer who patronized our products.”

QUICK QUESTIONS

What is your biggest fear?

Losing loved ones.

What really makes you anrgy?

Being treated unfairly.

What motivates you to work hard?

My family.

What motivates you to laugh the most?

Whenever my family gets together and jokes around with each other.

What did you want to be when you were small?

Teacher

What would you do if you won the lotto?

I will purchase a hectare of farm and donate to charities.

If you could share a meal with an individual, living or dead, who would they be?

My grandparents Isong and Cenesia Baculado (father’s side), and Imo Ramos and Balen Baladjay (mother’s side).

What is the most daring thing you have ever done?

I spoke in front of a large crowd during an event at the World Trade Center.

What was the last book you read?

The Bible, Psalm 91.

Which celebrity would you like to meet for a cup of coffee?

Ramon Ang

What is the one thing you will never do again?

I will never travel again whenever there is low-pressure area or a typhoon.

Where will you see yourself in 10 years?

Papaping’s will be visible nationwide through franchising and exporting.