The length of quarantine and lockdowns brought by the pandemic has greatly affected the economy all over the world.

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Aside from the millions who contracted the virus, individuals from different sectors grapple with difficult circumstances. For instance, the number of people who lost their jobs and sources of income has worsened the poverty situation in the country.

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With all these health and social challenges that have been with us for several months now, everyone is trying to make the most out of their time. Some committed themselves to daily workout routines, many inclined to plants collection, others chose to watch their pending lists of drama series, and some decided to start their own online businesses.

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For most PUPians who strive during the quarantine, many have tried their luck in online-selling.

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The best way to cope with the economic aftermath of the crisis is to think for the most engaging and effective online business gimmicks. Let’s check how these businesses take their crest in the public’s digital market.

 

OKITAKOYAKI: ONLINE FOOD DELIVERY

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Mary Lou Destao, a 20-year old Journalism student at PUP, decided to run an online food and delivery business.

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“We need to survive this pandemic. We need to think of the best way to cope with this,” she said.

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Their business started selling takoyaki and it boomed, managing to sell more than 600 pieces a day within a month. “Sa sobrang daming orders, minsan 600+ pieces ang kailangan naming maluto at i-deliver,” she added.

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Okitakoyaki – https://www.facebook.com/dendenstakoyaki/ now also offers a variety of popular Korean food like samgyupsal, tteokbokki, bibimpap, kimchi, and bulgogi rice for 115 to 175 pesos each; kakanin like puto, kutsinta, pichi-pichi, and palitaw for 75 pesos; as well as takoyaki with different fillings such as ham/bacon and cheese for 10 pesos each only.

 

According to Mary Lou, with around two thousand pesos start-up budget and few equipment used, they can start an online food business as long as the quality of their product will surely “papatok sa masa.”

 

ALTERNATIVES: CLOTH FACE MASKS

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Regularly wearing face masks has become part of our new reality and with the continuous rise of infected cases led to shortages of medical supplies including it (face masks).

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Another isko from the Advertising and Public Relation department, who tried to make the most of the situation, 21-year-old Kyle Fadera decided to manufacture and sell their own face masks.

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Although homemade face masks are not as effective as surgical masks or N95 respirators, according to medical professionals, they are better than nothing for preventing the spread of the virus.

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Kyle sourced the materials from his mother who is a seamstress and who came up with the idea. With common materials at home such as leftover fabrics, sewing machines, and elastic strings, they decided to make cloth face masks. 

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As soon as he posted a photo of him wearing it, many people reached out to him, asking where they could get a similar one.

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Various face mask designs are available: floral, plain, colored, stripes, and dotted. For only 35 pesos each, customers can now have an alternative yet affordable face masks!

 

DIOCLOTHING: ONLINE CLOTHING SHOP

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Aside from gaining a source of income, passion and fashion are the reasons for Marlyn Ducut, a second year AB English student at PUP, to start an online clothing shop.

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Her love for dressing up even on ordinary days kept her positive, and trying out trendy clothes inspired her to start selling preloved and branded clothes.

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“I, myself, love clothes and trendy tops and I want myself to reflect doon sa mismong shop. I want to have my own brand in the future,” she said. 

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Marlyn thought that aside from her passion for fashion, an online business is the easiest way of earning income given the times.

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By posting it on her Instagram account: https://instagram.com/dioltyclothing, customers can visit and browse to see the available items on her feed.

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Aside from clothes, Dioclothing eventually added cosmetic products such as lip and cheek tints which are popular among girls.

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