For culinary content creator and globetrotting chef Ina Bilbao, staying connected isn’t just a convenience—it’s a necessity.

Whether she’s navigating the bustling food markets of South Korea or live-posting from a Michelin-starred pop-up in Taiwan, Ina’s digital presence is as vibrant as her dishes. In this exclusive feature, she shares how Smart Roaming keeps her seamlessly connected, productive, and worry-free while traveling the world.

For Ina, connectivity is non-negotiable. “Before I head out on any international trip, I make sure I’ve pre-booked a Smart Roaming package,” Ina shares. “It’s always one of the first things I do because I know that as soon as I land, I need to be instantly connected to everything—from maps and apps to staying in touch with my team back home.”

One of the biggest challenges for frequent travelers like Ina is managing data usage without falling into the trap of bill shock. “It’s so easy to get caught up in the excitement of a new place and forget to keep track of data usage,” she says. “A Smart roaming package always helps me make sure I’m not running into any unexpected data charges.”

Smart GigaRoam’s transparent pricing and real-time data usage tracking help Ina stay in control, even in the busiest travel moments.

As a culinary explorer, Ina’s work depends on her ability to stay connected. “I’m always on the lookout for new spots to try, whether it’s a local hidden gem or a pop-up restaurant,” she explains. “I use navigation and transportation apps to get around, access e-wallets to pay for meals, and I’m constantly updating my social media for my followers.”

With Smart Roaming, Ina never misses a beat—or a bite.

Ina’s top tip for business owners and frequent flyers? “Never leave your connectivity to chance. Pre-book a Smart Roaming package so that the moment you land, you’re already online. Connectivity is the backbone of staying productive while traveling.”

She also recommends being mindful of data-heavy apps and checking usage regularly through the GigaRoam portal.

Having tried other roaming services in the past, Ina is confident in her choice. “Nothing beats the convenience and peace of mind that comes with Smart Roaming. The packages are affordable, and I never have to worry about my service dropping or getting hit with crazy bills.”

And if issues arise? “Smart Roaming’s customer support is always quick to respond. I can troubleshoot through the GigaRoam portal or check my phone settings to resolve things fast.”

For Ina, staying connected means more than just convenience—it’s about sharing her culinary journey in real time.

Chef Ina Bilbao’s recipe for stress-free travel? A dash of planning, a sprinkle of tech-savvy, and a generous helping of Smart Roaming. Whether you’re a business traveler, content creator, or simply someone who values staying connected, her story is a reminder that with the right tools, the world is truly at your fingertips.

There is a gender gap in the fuel industry with women only making up 22% of the global oil and gas workforce, and from that number, only 20% reach senior positions in oil and gas companies, highlighting the industry’s urgent need to provide them with more leadership opportunities. 

However, Caltex Filipina retailers are changing that by taking the reins of their fuels business and creating space in the industry for more women to grow and thrive. Meet the women who are shaking up the industry by bringing Caltex with Techron clean fuels to motorists nationwide.

Melissa Simeon

For Melissa Simeon, breaking into the industry was a no-brainer thanks to its reputation as a stable and essential business.  Inspired by her mother, Melissa put her resilience and business savvy to the test by becoming a Caltex Retailer.

Melissa and her husband Jules set up shop in Marilao, Bulacan. The site began operations in December 2021, servicing countless motorists in the Central Luzon region.

Although Melissa initially struggled as a woman in a male-dominated industry, this did not deter her confidence at all. Before entering the fuel industry, she had decades-long experience as an executive in transport and boiler manufacturing companies. “While the industry is male-dominated, I never saw that as a limitation—only as motivation. I overcame this by proving, through leadership and results, that women can thrive in any industry,” she said.

Melissa also said that Caltex has boosted her confidence by providing valuable business insights, networking opportunities, and operational support. She added, “I maximized these [opportunities given by Caltex] by staying engaged, continuously learning, and ensuring our stations provide the best service possible.”

Margaret Caballes-Jubane

Margaret Caballes-Jubane comes from a family of empowered Caltex women retailers that spans three generations. It all began in the 1960s, when her paternal grandparents, Rufina and Sabiniano Caballes Sr. set up their first Caltex Station in Davao City. Her father Wilfredo opened his station in 1971 and began a husband-wife tandem with Thelma Estoque-Caballes in 1978.

After registering as a Caltex Retailer in April 1998, Thelma underwent the Caltex Train the Trainer program and became a model site dealer. She has since trained Caltex dealers in Visayas and Mindanao, even inspiring some to become outstanding Caltex retailers themselves.

Over the years, the family business has grown from a single Caltex station into a network of stations and a fleet of tankers. As Margaret grew up watching her grandmother and mother thrive in the fuel industry, she felt inspired to follow in their footsteps. Her journey with Caltex began when she became a retailer in February 2005 and the rest is history.

She reflected, “Being exposed to the fuel industry early on made it a lot less intimidating because the focus was always on compliance with global standards and business growth, regardless of gender.”

While Margaret felt that women retailers tend to go under the radar in the fuel industry, their natural inclinations such as attention to detail and ability to nurture a team can help them shine. She added, “Because we lead with heart, we inspire others and create an inclusive space where everyone can shine alongside us.”

Vicky Alvarez

Vicky Alvarez took a leap of faith when she became a Caltex Retailer. After her family bought a  2,000 sqm property in Southwoods City during its early development stages in 2011, multiple fuel companies approached her to team up in building the township’s first gas station.

Vicky eventually chose Caltex after numerous talks with acquisition agent Jeff Enriquez. “It was his determination and Caltex/Chevron’s reputable name that led me and my family to become a Caltex retailer,” she recalled.

Vicky also admitted to feeling very reluctant to join the male-dominated fuel industry. Luckily, through constant prayer and the support of the Caltex brand, she found her voice.

“At first, I was nervous and reluctant, knowing that this industry is mostly led by men. However, with my faith in God, I was able to overcome that fear. The training program offered by Caltex was also instrumental in making me feel comfortable entering the industry – it allowed me to meet my peers,” she added.

Over the years, Vicky learned to utilize her gut instinct, as this uniquely feminine trait helps women become more resilient and self-confident. She said, “This gut instinct is unique to women, and I believe it helps empower our decision-making in this industry.” 

How Caltex is Paving the Way for Women in the Fuel Industry

Melissa, Margaret, and Vicky all believe the fuel industry is slowly opening up to women. After all, opportunities will always open up for people with the grit and determination to succeed –– regardless of their gender. “We are fortunate to be in a time when the results of our work as women speak for themselves and are duly recognized,” said Margaret.

The three women also thanked Caltex for supporting and trusting female entrepreneurs to run their retail sites nationwide. Vicky reflected, “Our business consultants from Caltex are hands-on in showing their support. Regular meetings with them throughout the year helped me feel supported as a woman.”

Melissa also encouraged more women entrepreneurs to join Caltex’s mission of making clean and quality fuels more accessible to Filipinos nationwide. “The fuel industry is not just for men — it’s for anyone with the drive to succeed. With Caltex’s support, dedication, and willingness to learn, women can thrive and make a real impact in this business.”

The saying goes that for every ‘hat’ a man wears, a woman wears two. The concept of a “work-life” balance appears to weigh more heavily on a woman as she’s expected to juggle domestic duties with a career. This rings true for Maryjoy Delara, an entrepreneur and a mother, who has been supporting her family since adolescence while still keeping her dreams alive.

As she tells it, Maryjoy has been in the service of her family her whole life. Starting in the summer of her third year in high school, she has been selling dried fish to support her family in rural Bicol. With school out for two months, she had the idea to do a side hustle; while her mother discouraged her, she was determined to save up for school supplies for her siblings and herself.

“Nag-isip pa rin ako ng paraan na magka-pera. Naisip ko may P 500 ako, bibili ako ng dilis, ipapatuyo ko tapos ibebenta ko. Nag-click naman yon. Yun yung tuloy tuloy na pinagmulan halagang P 500 hanggang magpasukan na, may pera ako pambili ng gamit. Sabi ko sa mama ko, ito na gamitin mo na pera naipon ko para sa gamit ko and sa mga kapatid ko,” she said.

This inherent determination and can-do attitude carried Maryjoy through numerous obstacles, including the death of her mother, and compelled her to pursue her dream of being an entrepreneur.  Maryjoy opened a sari-sari store in 2018 in San Fernando, Pampanga with her partner and built up enough business know-how to keep it going – even through the pandemic.

“Naabutan kami ng pandemic – medyo natigil kami nung 2019 pero di kami sumuko. Patuloy pa rin po, hanggang nakabili kami una ng motor ng 2021 dahil sa sari-sari store na ito.  – buy and sell ng partner ko. Nagsimula ako ng puhunan ng P 5,000. Ngayon napalaki namin to more than P 50,000 may savings pa kami at insurance. Nabibili ko pa gusto ng mga anak ko,” Maryjoy proudly said.

Supporting her small business through the ups and downs is the Converge Surf2Sawa prepaid fiber, the most affordable product of Converge. Surf2Sawa, or S2S, offers quality connectivity for as low as P 50 for one day, up to P 700 for one month usable for 6 gadgets. The prepaid product offers unlimited (no data cap) connectivity, has no contract attached, and is priced at a level within reach of low-income Filipinos.

S2S has not only helped Maryjoy secure more orders, but helps her manage the connectivity needs of her households, including the e-learning of her two kids.

“Malaki din po ang natipid namin sa S2S. Dati sa data, nakaka-P 2000 kada buwan kasi iilan ang cellphone namin dito. Mas okay nung nagpakabit kami ng S2S, tuloy tuloy na ang online class ng mga bata. Hindi na rin nagloloading, at unlimited pa. Pwedeng pwede na talaga ang P 700,” noted the 32-year old.

Reflecting on her journey so far as an independent self-sufficient woman who has successfully built a small business, Maryjoy gleaned one pearl of wisdom: your circumstances shouldn’t define you. 

“Hindi ko akalain na maabot ko ang ganito, na dating walang wala din ako. Masaya pakiramdam ko na sa edad kong ito, may naipundar na ako. Hindi talaga hadlang ang kahirapan kung may pangarap ka,” she said.

Converge Information and Communications Technology Solutions, Inc. is the fastest-growing fixed broadband service provider in the Philippines. It is the first to run an end-to-end pure fiber internet network in the country, providing Filipinos simple, fast, and reliable connectivity. With over 710,000 kilometers of fiber optic assets nationwide, it has one of the most extensive fiber networks in the Philippines.

With this fiber-powered network, Converge provides premium world-class digital experience for residential, enterprise, and wholesale customers.

Go to https://www.convergeict.com for more information.