ROSARIO, CAVITE — What began as a small kitchen-based venture has grown into a thriving food business producing nearly 100 kilos of tocino per day, turning Angelica “Lhyka” Joaquin, 33, into a recognized entrepreneur in Rosario, Cavite.
A resident of Barangay Muzon 2, Lhyka transitioned from being a sales lady and sales associate to a full-time business owner of homemade tocino, now widely supplied to customers and resellers.
She has been in the business for nine years, using a recipe inherited from her late mother-in-law, Salome Dela Cruz, known as “Mommy Sally,” who had been selling tocino for almost five decades.
The business faced early struggles, including trial-and-error in perfecting the recipe and quality standards. At times, up to 30 kilograms of meat were discarded when they did not meet quality requirements.
In its early operations, deliveries were done via motorcycle, transporting as much as 80 kilograms of meat despite difficult conditions, including long travel hours and bad weather.
A major turning point came when they established a physical store in Muzon. From an initial target of 5 to 10 kilos per day, production steadily increased to around 100 kilos daily.
Their market has also expanded, now serving customers and resellers from Metro Manila, Tagaytay, and Batangas.
Before focusing on the business, Lhyka worked at SM Rosario and Home Credit. During the pandemic, she used her separation pay as capital to grow the enterprise.
Aside from tocino, the business also produces marinated meats and party food trays.
Retail price is set at around ₱400 per kilo, while reseller price is ₱350 per kilo with a minimum order of five kilos.
For Lhyka, customer trust remains the most valuable part of the business. She said consistency and quality helped build a loyal and growing market.
From a simple inherited recipe to a booming daily production, her journey highlights how perseverance, discipline, and hard work can transform a small capital into a sustainable enterprise.
Source: Epipanio Delos Santos Avenue
