28/12/2022
"Breaking Bread"
Tita Dak’s Bakeshoppe, a brand itself started on June 10, 1997. It was a small refreshment area selling bread to various customers in Barangay Kitacubong, Alamada, Cotabato. The business was created by the brilliant mind of Ms. Minda T. Rosa- the owner of the bakeshop. Since then, it has been a part of the everyday lives of the Alamadians for the last 25 years. If you are curious why it was called Tita Dak’s, it was the “palayaw” of the owner from the word “Dakling” or small jokingly said by Ms. Minda.
Minda was a business-minded person already at a young age. “Nag-aalaga ako ng baboy dati at nagbebenta ng yema sa mga classmates ko.” She uttered. She is also the 2nd youngest of her 8 siblings and like everybody else, they also struggled financially so she started to make some extra income for her personal and for her school needs. After she graduated from college, she flew to Manila and worked in a printing press assigned as a purchasing officer from 1991 to 1996. However, she realized that her salary is just enough for her daily expenses and she barely made ends meet.
When she was working in Manila, she was already selling fruitcakes to her officemates and that’s when she realized her passion for baking. In April 1996, she resigned from her work and went back to Mindanao with the little savings that she had.
She was first introduced to the Department of Trade and Industry when She attended a seminar on entrepreneurship in Davao right after She resigned. She also explored and learned about starting her own business and even attended short baking courses from some celebrity chefs like Sylvia Reynoso, Heny Sison, and more. “My family especially my parents saw my passion and perseverance so they decided to help me start my bakeshop. I took a big leap of faith since I don’t have the capital to start my business and I don’t have the equipment and space” she exclaimed.
“I asked God for a sign to start my business.” She said.
Not all businesses are perfect. She also experienced some difficulties that affected her bakeshop, such as her bakers putting up their bakeshops or her employees that were gone AWOL. However, she continues to operate and cater to the needs of her customers with a big smile on her face. She joined the Kapatid Mentor Me Program (KMME) in 2018. From then, she gained knowledge of basic accounting, marketing strategy, and most especially human resource management. “I even made friends with my classmates from different municipalities” She exclaimed.
Recently, Tita Dak’s Bakeshop celebrated its silver year anniversary. 25 years of offering tasty and quality bread and pastries not just in Alamada but also in some parts of the PPALMA area. Aside from that, they also obtained their FDA-LTO registration so we can be assured that their products are safe for consumption. Their market has also widened from their regular customers to supplying to the different schools in Alamada district and soon in other municipalities nearby.
She said that everyone she knows is proud of the achievements of
Tita Dak’s bake shoppe. “There was a customer from Midsayap who owns a bakeshop, but always asked and buy the chocolate moist cake from Tita Dak’s bakeshoppe”. She added. It was satisfying and memorable for her. She did grow as a person and as well as her business.
“Kung isa akong tinapay isa akong ensaymada, kasi unang tingin pa lang sugary na. Sweet ako na Tao”. She giggles while saying it with a smile.
"Bread has become a part of our daily lives. We would have it in the morning, meriendas, and more. "
