Keeping the Business Alive

Posted on: August 4, 2026

Written by: Josephine Ramos

Josefina Mantuano from Batangas showcases her assorted candies, which she regularly delivers to her customers in Pasig City.

It is almost like magic how a simple sweet can instantly brighten someone’s day. No wonder most people love them so much because these treats sometimes serve as a sweet escape from life’s bitter moments. 

At 62, Josefina Mantuano from Lipa City, Batangas, keeps life sweet with her homemade candies such as yema, pastillas, and mazapan. 

Back in 2006, making yema candies was a popular business in their neighborhood. At that time, Josefina was a stay-at-home mom focused on raising her kids, but then her sister-in-law encouraged her to sell yema. Initially, she started with just 25 packs, and before she knew it, she was already selling 300 packs of yema. 

Recognizing the product’s potential, Josefina invested in candy molds and started making her version. She then began delivering her products straight to Pasig, a city she knew inside out thanks to her past job and many relatives living there. 

In 2007, just six months after starting her business, an acquaintance introduced her to CARD SME Bank, a thrift bank under CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI). She took out an initial loan of PHP 5,000, which she immediately used to buy ingredients like milk and oil. 

From then on, she would occasionally secure a loan from the institution to buy needed ingredients to keep her business going. 

Withstanding the storm

Looking back, her most unforgettable business challenge occurred when Typhoon Ondoy hit the Philippines in 2009. Ironically, demand for sweets doubled during the calamity. However, making deliveries became a struggle as the Pasig Public Market was submerged in knee-deep floods. 

For two months, all deliveries were made by boat. It was tough, especially since candies are heavy and there is a possibility that the boat would flip over, but she pushed through that fear. 

Josefina also made sure to bring food for her customers. “Kahit lubog sila sa baha, nagtitinda pa rin sila kaya gusto ko na kahit paano ay makatulong naman sa kanila (Even though the public market was completely flooded, those people still show up and try to make a living, so I wanted to support them however I could),” she stated. 

She did not even force her customers in Pasig to pay her back right away. “Kung magbayad ka, magbayad ka. Kung hindi, sige lang, andiyan naman ang CARD SME Bank para umalalay sa akin. (If you can pay, go ahead. If not, it’s okay. CARD SME Bank is there to help me out anyway,” she stated. 

In 2025, she took out a PHP 200,000.00 loan from the bank to buy a machine to speed up business production. Currently, she has a PHP 20,000.00 loan, but she plans to secure a bigger loan once her new machine arrives. 

Today, Josefina is one of only four remaining yema makers in their neighborhood. She survived the competition by holding firm to her standards. As she explained, “hindi ko binago yung quality ng aking produkto. Hindi ako gumamit ng mas murang ingredients para lang magkaroon ng mataas na tubo kasi iniingatan ko ang kalidad ng aking produkto (Never once did I change the quality of my products. I never used cheaper ingredients just to make more money because I want to protect my product’s quality)”.

Her hard work has truly taken them a long way. Her team is now composed of 12 employees producing around 3,000 packs of assorted yema, pastillas, and mazapan every week, supplying 15 stores across Pasig. 

A 45-piece pack of either yema or pastillas is priced at PHP 40.00, while a 15-piece canister of mazapan is sold at PHP 60.00. 

Through her hard work, Josefina managed to acquire a delivery van, which she has been using for the past 10 years now. She now also rents a bigger production space close to her home to keep up with growing demand. 

In the coming years, she hopes to tap into neighboring cities around Pasig to reach more potential customers. Beyond expansion, she is also thrilled to know that her child is willing to take over when she finally decides to retire. A move that will keep their business alive for the next generations to come. 

For those who want a taste of her sweets, you can find them at 48 Pines St., Brgy. Dagatan, Lipa City, Batangas.