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How Linya-Linya and Common Room’s financial missteps’ turned into business successes

Retail shop owners Jim Bacarro of Linya-linya and sisters Roma and Maan Agsalud of Common Room shared in RCBC Boz Sessions that they had to learn it the hard way.

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For many successful entrepreneurs, financial missteps are part and parcel of the job—at first. And retail shop owners Jim Bacarro of Linya-linya and sisters Roma and Maan Agsalud of Common Room shared in RCBC Boz Sessions that they had to learn it the hard way.

RCBC Boz Sessions is a video series featuring Filipino entrepreneurs who share their own journey, tips and insights on starting and growing their own businesses.

Linya Linya’s Jim Bacarro said their company experienced “a rollercoaster of hilarious financial missteps” before it became the renowned and popular apparel and lifestyle brand that it is today. In this episode which premiered on April 3, he shared on Facebook how their funniest financial mistakes became the company’s foundational strategies, entitled Nadapa, Natuto, Kumita.

‘Those epic fails were also the foundational parts of who we are as a company today,” Bacarro shared.

Kids in a candy store

The Linya Linya founder cited issues with cash flow and business capital as “bloopers” that eventually became “incredible lessons.”

Bacarro admitted that they were like “kids in a candy store with our cash” during their beginning years. “Sales meant celebration, right? Wrong! We pulled out cash without thinking twice. And guess what? When it was time to pay suppliers, our wallets were singing crickets.”

He added Linya Linya started their operations “undercapitalized,” diving into projects with their “pockets half-empty.”

“The result? We got smothered by interest payments and were left scrambling for funds.” Bacarro explained, adding that they were also prone to making unplanned and unnecessary big purchases that “led to us scrimping on our actual products—the T-shirts!”

Mixing business with personal

Sisters Roma Agsalud-Agsunod and Maan Agsalud of the arts and craft store Common Room also admitted committing basic mistakes during their first few years in business.

In their YouTube video “Three Mistakes When Scaling Up Your Business,”  Agsunod and Agsalud shared the lapses they committed that prevented them from leveling up sooner.

The Common Room sisters said they did not know anything about the basics of business when they started. “Sa sobrang wala kaming alam sa negosyo, akala naming kumita na kami basta maibalik lang ang rental fee namin,” they said.

Their lack of business know-how made them commit other mistakes, such as mixing personal finances with their business earnings, and making decisions based on feelings instead of hard financial data.

“When Common Room was just starting, kami ang breadwinners ng family namin, so lahat ng earnings naming napupunta sa panggastos ng pamilya. Hindi namin alam na dapat paghiwalayin ang personal bank account sa business bank account. Pag hindi niyo sila pinaghiwalay, mabagal ang growth ng business,” they shared.

They also said: “Ang solution to not knowing the basics of business is to do simple self-studying. Kahit pinaka-basic concepts lang, pwede mo na matutunan sa YouTube videos. Manood lang kayo ng ilang videos at malaking advantage na agad yan.”

“Nakaka-stress ang mistake na yan. Kaya ikaw, study your data before you make any big decision,” the sisters added.

Don’t be afraid to try new tools

Bacarro believes that a financial misstep can translate to business success if one recognizes the mistake immediately, and turn it into an opportunity for growth and innovation. “Through these mishaps, we learned the hard way that managing a business isn’t just about making sales; it’s about smart financial planning,” he said.

For Agsunod and Agsalud, accepting the mistakes allowed them to make the necessary fixes and changes. “So, to all aspiring entrepreneurs out there, embrace your mishaps, learn from them, and maybe get a little help,” they said. Bacarro advised being in the know when it comes to new tools and technology for business owners as these could significantly make their lives easier. “Don’t be afraid to try new tools to help grow your business,” he said.

And so these bosses were all delighted to have found out about RCBC’s Boz app – something they wished they had when they were just starting out.

RCBC Boz is one of the bank’s newest apps specially designed for beginning entrepreneurs. It is a mobile banking platform that allows users to manage their RCBC business accounts separately from their personal accounts, to have an overall financial view of their business performance. It also has functions that allow users to pay suppliers, create and send invoices, and set financial goals. The mobile app has a Report feature that can provide entrepreneurs with weekly, monthly, and yearly financial reports—giving them access to instant and accurate business financial data.

“Entrepreneurship is fun. Having friends who can laugh and cry with you along the way makes it even better. What’s best though is a friend who can laugh, cry, and actually help you with stuff you’re not so knowledgeable on. An app like RCBC Boz is that friend,” he added. 

Download RCBC Boz app now and tune in to RCBC Boz sessions for more practical tips and insights on managing your own business.    

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Offering steaks in Bulacan via Project Steak

Attraction-wise, #Bulacan isn’t on top of tourists’ lists. But food-wise, it – surprisingly – has a handful of worthy offerings. We checked one, a #steakhouse comparable to those in Metro Manila.

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Bulacan may be a big province, but tourists will – admittedly – have a harder time looking for places to visit here. Unless you’re into hard-to-reach natural wonders, or churches, churches, and even more churches.

There’s something surprising in Bulacan, though: that is, there are actually a lot of not-bad dining venues there… which was what led us to discovering Project Steak.

How was the place for us?

@outragemag Lost in #Bulacan and looking for okay #food? We checked the #steak #fishandchips of @projectsteakbaliwag in #baliuagbulacan for this #LGBT ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine

Una, Bulacan is a big province, so if you’re nowhere near Baliuag, you may find this place too hard to go to (particularly if you’re not driving). This is over an hour away from the City of Manila, passing through Obando, Bocaue, Guiguinto, Malolos, Pulilan, et cetera… so yeah, this isn’t the most accessible place to go to.

Ikalawa, the actual resto is actually small; seriously small. Luckily, there are two seating areas, so to speak. The resto itself has an airconditioned room that can only seat a handful; and a non-airconditioned area that it shares with Mimi’s, the café beside it. The airconditioning isn’t that cold naman, so staying outside may make sense particularly for those who are claustrophobic.

Ikatlo, keri naman ang personnel, able to explain what’s on the menu.

Ika-apat, how was the food?

  • The Fish and Chips (₱300) was actually good, comparative to those from delis in – say – some suburb in Australia. The fish wasn’t malansa, was properly battered, and was well cooked. The chips – or fries – naman were of good quality, not disintegrating to the touch.
  • The Meatballs Tomato (₱250) was so-so; that is, the meatballs tasted nice, but the pasta was just too sweet. Ganito: If you added more pasta, the sweetness of the sauce would still overhwlem.
  • The Signature Ribeye Steak (₱550) was a bit small, though not surprising considering the asking price. Ordered MR, it was properly done, with the meat still juicy. You don’t get a lot of accompanying veggies; though the eggs we ordered in place of the potatoes were well done.
  • The Surf and Turf (₱650) was basically a Ribeye Steak… with grilled shrimps. For both steaks, if there’s a major comment, it’s the lack of seasoning. Yeah, you can just add salt and pepper; but it tastes different when meat is seasoned before or during cooking since nanunuot ang lasa. The mashed potato was too margarine-y, and so was so-so. The shrimps were good even if they were somewhat small.

Is it worth to dayo, to target Project Steak? If you’re nearby and are looking for affordable steaks, perhaps. The ambiance is good, the offerings are presented well (check the plating!), and so on. But if it’s too far for you, and if there are other options for the same price wherever you may be, stay there na lang. That way, walang sisi.

Otherwise, join us as we look for more lafang venues.

Project Steak is located along Doña Remedios Trinidad Hwy, Baliuag, Bulacan. For more information, contact 0939 708 7839 or 0923 631 2559.

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The success story of Northeast Business Solutions, a homegrown tech company based in Norzagaray, Bulacan

Introducing Northeast Business Solutions, Inc. (NBSI), a Bulacan-based software company specializing in timekeeping, human resource management systems (HRMS), and payroll.

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For Michael Sta. Maria, success didn’t begin with software. It started with sacrifice.

Long before he led a growing enterprise resource planning (ERP) software company serving clients across the country, Sta. Maria was a young professional from Norzagaray, Bulacan who spent many years working away from home, missing important family moments in pursuit of stability.

“I really wanted to give back the investment and time to my family, as well as the time to myself. I never thought it would be possible. Before, I would doubt myself, but eventually, after almost ten years, we now see that, while we struggled in the past, we are now established and can run the business well and continue to grow it,” he shares on the latest episode of ROI’d to Success, the podcast collaboration between PLDT Enterprise and Hustleshare.

That turning point came in 2016, when Sta. Maria decided to take a leap of faith and build something from the ground up. The result was Northeast Business Solutions, Inc. (NBSI), a Bulacan-based software company specializing in timekeeping, human resource management systems (HRMS), and payroll.

What started as a homegrown solution to a common business problem — reliable and affordable payroll software — soon evolved into an enterprise payroll and timekeeping solution catering to small and even very large-sized companies. By 2018, NBSI had successfully launched its product in the Philippine market. But the story behind the code is as powerful as the tech itself.

Building a Business with Heart

For Sta. Maria, NBSI was never just about growth, it was about reclaiming time, not only for himself but for others in his community.

Coming from a humble background, he poured himself into mastering software development. His early career took him far from home, requiring long hours and frequent travel. But with his family’s unwavering support, he eventually found the courage to strike out on his own.

Sta. Maria also believes that no business thrives in isolation, emphasizing that, “It is very important to listen to our team. I’ve learned a lot over the past few years about the business from my people. Our employees are truly our ambassadors. And, of course, how they represent themselves is a direct reflection of our company.”

Today, NBSI serves as a pillar of local employment in Norzagaray, providing opportunities for young professionals to pursue careers in tech.

“My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple: If you plan to start your own business, be prepared for challenges—they are part of the process. But you will reap the rewards later. You can do it,” he adds.

Tech, Trust, and a Reliable Connection

NBSI’s growth, however, didn’t happen in isolation. Behind its ability to deliver reliable solutions to clients lies a strong digital backbone provided by PLDT Enterprise’s iGate.

“PLDT Enterprise helped us achieve zero downtime in internet connectivity,” explains Sta. Maria. This dependable connection allowed NBSI to provide seamless service to businesses relying on them for sensitive, time-critical operations.

“Thanks to PLDT Enterprise, our productivity increased by over 15%. Our client base grew, while our total working hours decreased—reflecting improved efficiency,” Sta. Maria shares.

Looking ahead, NBSI plans to expand further with PLDT Enterprise’s broadband upgrades and Smart 5G Postpaid Plans, a move that will better connect its mobile workforce and help support its rapidly growing client base.

A Platform for Progress

For PLDT Enterprise, supporting MSMEs like NBSI means amplifying their own stories.

“Through stories like NBSI’s, we see how meaningful technology adoption drives real, measurable business outcomes,” said Jay Lagdameo, Vice President and Head of Enterprise Revenue Group at PLDT Enterprise. “Through ROI’d to Success, we give entrepreneurs a platform to share their stories, highlighting how they harness digital solutions to overcome challenges, grow their businesses, and inspire others.”

You can listen to the full ROI’d to Success episode featuring Northeast Business Solutions, Inc. now on Hustleshare via Spotify.

To discover more inspiring stories and learn how PLDT Enterprise’s solutions empower businesses, visit https://bit.ly/pldtenterprise-ROId-nbsi-pr.

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Selling simplified steak, a la Lugod’s, in Batangas

#Batangas has lots of ranches, so… they should have good #steaks, right? We #LGBT checked Lugod’s Steak & Grill for verification (or disproving).

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After touring some of the coastal areas of the Province of Batangas, and before driving back to Metro Manila, we decided to grab something to eat. And – thinking that Batangas has ranches – we decided to try any of their steakhouses. Google gave three highly-rated recommendations; we tried the one closest to where we were then, which was Lugod’s Steak & Grill.

So how did we find the place?

@outragemag #LGBT #loveislove search for good, unpretentious #steak #steakhouse in #Batangas ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine

Una, for non-locals, this is not an easy-to-find resto. Mainly because it is inside some village; meaning, you have to go through a guard house where you’d be interrogated on where you’re going and why. At least they didn’t ask for us to leave an ID.

Ikalawa, the actual resto is – in a word – unpretentious. This is open-air dining with wooden folding tables, monobloc chairs, bato-bato sa lupa, and electric fans everywhere. Note that because the grillery is right there, too, you’re bound to smell of smoke after you eat here.

Ikatlo, the workers there were nice naman. They knew what’s on the menu, served our orders correctly (and fast, too), and were easy to call when we had requests (e.g. refill water).

Ika-apat, how was the food?

  • The Surf & Turf (₱759) was slightly makapal, so you do get more meat… somehow. But even for the asking price, you only get five tiny shrimps and three thin slices of grilled corn as side dish.
  • The Australian Porterhouse (₱379) was thin, and – since it was also chewy – was not exactly a pleasant meal. Sadly, after the meat was placed on a sizzling plate, then dumped with gravy, it was served with nothing else – e.g. no veggies, no mashed potatoes, et cetera.
  • Major issue with both steaks: They were salty. Really salty. And that’s coming from someone who likes salty food (LOL).
  • Extras ordered were Overload Fries (₱199), which was so-so; and two eggs (overcooked na sunny side up).

Is this a must-visit? Perhaps for some – e.g. when we went there, more and more couples arrived to eat, and so it may be a popular date place for the locals. But – again – Google recommended other supposedly well-reviewed steakhouses in Batangas City, not just this, and those others may be worth considering na muna.

Join us as we continue looking for more lafang venues.

Lugod’s Steak & Grill is located at 6400 LT Neptune St., Golden Country Homes Subd., Alangilan, Batangas City. For more information, contact +63 919 549 5356.

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