Three Filipino Entrepreneurs Awarded As Winners Of TikTok’s ‘Negosyo Mo Na Yan’ Campaign

TikTok food creators and aspiring entrepreneurs Jeffrey Gonzales, Christine Cruz, and John Mark Santos all received equipment and other tools needed to build their businesses, as prizes for winning.

Manila, Philippines – November 22, 2021 – TikTok, the leading destination for short-form mobile video, concluded its Negosyo Mo Na Yan campaign last November 6, 2021, naming creators Jeffrey Gonzales, John Mark Santos, and Christine Cruz as winners. Held in partnership with Globe, Puregold, Abenson, Gcash, Mercato Centrale, Canva, Go Negosyo, When In Manila, and Secret Kitchen, Negosyo Mo Na Yan aimed to empower TikTok users to launch digital-first businesses on the platform and help them cope financially amid trying times.

The campaign opened with Negosyo Week, held via TikTok Live, where partner speakers shared tips on how to be a digital-first business. This was followed cowed by a #NegosyoRecipe Challenge, where TikTok users were invited to share their best #NegosyoRecipe food ideas on the platform. About 2,500 entries were submitted, generating over 121M views.

From the 2,500 submissions, seven creators were shortlisted to move on to the final phase of Negosyo Mo Na Yan. The finalists were Jeffrey King Gonzales and his Fruit Mochi recipe; John Mark Santos, who shared a Super Moist Chocolate Cake recipe; Christine Cruz, who shared a recipe for Choco Butternut Palitaw; Nikki Mensenares and her Marbled Triple Chocolate Cookie recipe; Joy Berdulaga, whose video showed a recipe for Strawberry Latte and Croffle; Jaypee Titic for his Gulay (Vegetable) Burgers; and Louise Cordero, who made a Choux Christmas Tree for her #NegosyoRecipe;

In the campaign’s last phase, finalists went through a 2-week mentorship with industry experts from Globe, Go Negosyo, and Lola Nenas. Mentors included Joyce Co-Yu of True Blends Tea and Coffee; Joseph Arnold De Guzman from First Food Link Distributors Inc.; Anne Francisco of 1938 Francisco Food Specialties, Inc.; Diohson Cenita from Citrus Zone Group, Inc.; Khit Flores from Khit’s Food Products; Richie Cuna of MILKIN Corporation; FRESHKO co-owner, Gatchi Gatchalian; Krumble Inc. President, Michael Sharpe; Bryan Tiu, President and COO of iFOODS Group Inc.; and Steffi Santana of Lola Nena’s.

During the mentorship period, the finalists were given guidance on how to build their businesses, while they prepared their final pitches to be presented to the Negosyo Mo Na Yan judges. Participants had the chance to listen to speakers, who shared their expert knowledge and personal experiences. Johnlu Koa of French Baker, talked about the first steps of launching a business, while Koleen Chua Yap, owner of aegyocakes shared her entrepreneurial journey in the midst of the pandemic, along with tips for using social media to help your business succeed. Representatives from the Mercato group also opened up business opportunities for the mentees and mentors by giving them the chance to sell their food products online. 

The finalists presented their business pitches to RJ Ledesma of Mercato Group, TikTok chef Marvin Agustin, and Mark del Rosario of Let’s Eat Pare. The judges selected three creators with the most promising ideas to win prizes from Negosyo Mo Na Yan’s campaign partners, which can enable them to build their businesses. Prizes included appliances from Abenson, grocery credits from Puregold, a Canva Pro subscription, a Mercato app feature, Home Prepaid Wifi Units from Globe, and Biz Starter 99, and ad placements from Gcash.

Jeffrey Gonzales was selected as the Grand Winner for his Japanese Mochi recipe idea that uses Bohol’s Kalamay, a sweet, sticky delicacy made using coconut milk and ground glutinous rice. As the grand winner, Jeffery also received a 6 month 1-on-1 mentorship session with Marvin Agustin, along with a spot in his cloud kitchen, The Secret Kitchen.

Christine Cruz won second place for her dessert business pitch, with her specialty being the iconic Choco Butternut Palitaw, while third place was awarded to John Mark Santos, who pitched a baked goods business that utilizes healthy and unique ingredients, with Malunggay Chocolate Cake as his specialty.

Through the Negosyo Mo Na Yan campaign, and other similar initiatives, TikTok continues to provide support for its community of creators, both on and off the platform.

Check out the #NegosyoRecipe hashtag on TikTok to discover viral recipe ideas shared by creators. Download TikTok on your iOS and Android devices today to get started.