Facebook Pixel Coca-Cola Philippines' iSTAR program powers family-owned carinderia's rise in Cebu | Manila Bulletin - newspaper - Read this story on Magzter.com

Try GOLD - Free

Coca-Cola Philippines' iSTAR program powers family-owned carinderia's rise in Cebu

Manila Bulletin

|

September 16, 2025

Coca-Cola Philippines continues to support Filipino micro-entrepreneurs through its entrepreneurship training programs, helping small businesses gain the right tools, knowledge, and confidence to grow and sustain their livelihoods.

Among the inspiring stories is that of Juniel and Salome Lucero, a couple from Pinamungahan, Cebu, who turned a small food venture into a sustainable family enterprise. Their business journey-guided by passion, persistence, and the right training provided by the iSTAR (Innovative Sari-Sari Store Training and Access to Resources) Program, a joint initiative of Coca-Cola Philippines and TESDA, where they gained essential skills in financial literacy, inventory management, and basic operations.

From online orders to a growing enterprise

Juniel, a former overseas Filipino worker (OFW), made a bold leap into the food business in hopes of turning his vision for success and Salome's love for cooking into a reliable source of income for their family. Together, the Luceros opened Nicolai's Cuisine in 2018.

When the pandemic hit, Juniel returned to the Philippines, and the couple found themselves seeking new ways to support their family. They changed their business approach and started selling packed lunches online, where they built a network of loyal customers. Today, Nicolai's Cuisine has expanded to three staff members, offers catering services, sells lechon belly packages, and even runs a small trading sideline for plastic and paper packaging. Their clients now come from different parts of Cebu, far beyond their barangay.

Training that turned challenges into opportunities

Their journey to success is not without its challenges. It was riddled with difficulties, especially during the first year of running Nicolai's Cuisine. Sales were unpredictable, their location had little foot traffic, and they lacked a system for managing operations.

MORE STORIES FROM Manila Bulletin

Manila Bulletin

Manila Bulletin

SM City Zamboanga set to transform retail scene

M Prime Holdings Inc. (SM Prime), one of Southeast Asia’s largest property developers, is opening SM City Zamboanga on Friday, March 20, marking its eighth mall in Mindanao and its 90th mall in the Philippines.

time to read

1 mins

March 19, 2026

Manila Bulletin

Satellite images begin to show damage wrought by Iran war

Satellite images are beginning to be released giving a glimpse into the toll of the Iran war, with ships ablaze in an Iranian port and destroyed buildings at an American base.

time to read

2 mins

March 19, 2026

Manila Bulletin

UnionBank CEO becomes first female BAP president

Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ana Maria Aboitiz-Delgado has been elected president of the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP), becoming the first woman to lead the industry group since its founding nearly 80 years ago.

time to read

1 mins

March 19, 2026

Manila Bulletin

Manila Bulletin

Oscar ratings fall 9% in Conan O'Brien's second year hosting

The 98th Oscars hosted by Conan O'Brien saw a dip in ratings after several years of gains.

time to read

1 mins

March 19, 2026

Manila Bulletin

Manila Bulletin

Filipinas eye World Cup slot

The Philippine women's football team gets one last shot at a World Cup berth when it clashes with Uzbekistan in the playoffs of the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup on Thursday, March 19.

time to read

1 min

March 19, 2026

Manila Bulletin

Vatican appeals court declares mistrial in the ‘trial of the century’ against a cardinal

The Vatican appeals tribunal declared a mistrial Tuesday in the Holy See’s big “trial of the century,” a stunning blow to both Pope Francis’ legacy and Vatican prosecutors who had put a cardinal and several other people on trial over alleged financial crimes.

time to read

2 mins

March 19, 2026

Manila Bulletin

In transit

Somewhere I read a Japanese monk's observation that as we are all travelers we must learn that separation awaits us at the end of the road.

time to read

1 mins

March 19, 2026

Manila Bulletin

Manila Bulletin

From streets to canvas: Malabon painters capture the city before it changes

For local artists in Malabon, painting is both a passion and a mission—to preserve the city's heritage and everyday scenes amid rapid urbanization so future generations can still look back on what the city once was.

time to read

4 mins

March 19, 2026

Manila Bulletin

Filinvest consolidates food, beverage units

Filinvest Development Corp. (FDC) is centralizing its food and beverage operations under its hospitality unit as part of a broader strategy to pivot toward integrated leisure and wellness services.

time to read

1 mins

March 19, 2026

Manila Bulletin

Manila Bulletin

The return of fuel anxiety

The conversation has shifted.

time to read

3 mins

March 19, 2026

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size