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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the UAAP was forced to end the season and the league resumption remains uncertain.
But while the global crisis affected many young athletes, it also opened new opportunities for them to earn extra income.
Here are some UAAP standouts who have ventured into business during the lockdown:
Wewe Medina
University of Santo Tomas (UST) men’s volleyball team captain Wewe Medina started his own business last June featuring the products of his hometown Orani, Bataan, which is widely known for seafood.
“First of all, I started the business because I want products from Bataan to be known in Manila. There are only few crab paste on sale and some are made with extenders, so I came up with the idea to sell pure crab paste,” Medina told Rappler in a mix of English and Filipino.
Aside from crab paste, Medina is also selling shrimp paste or bagoong which comes in plain and sweet and spicy flavors, shrimps, crabs, and smoked fish to help his parents financially and at the same time invest on his future.
This may be his first try in business, but the UST senior has already been receiving orders from different parts of the country and looking to contact resellers once his business attains a certain target.
“This is my first business. As in wala akong ka-backround backround, every delivery ko and every customer ko may natutunan ako,” he said.
(This is my first business. I have no business background, but I always learn something from every customer.)
“Noong una kasi sobrang hirap talaga kasi wala nga ako kaalam-alam, then ayun natutunan ko paano mas mapapadali yung trabaho, [kung paano] yung diskarte,” said Medina.
(It was really difficult at first because I have zero knowledge, but then eventually I learned different approaches on how to get the job done easier.)
Matt Nieto
For a 23-year old, former Ateneo Blue Eagle playmaker Matt Nieto is already handling two businesses.
Last June, Nieto, together with his friends Kim Nadal and JM Cancio, launched 1975 Old Fashioned Burgers, which serves grilled 100% Brazilian beef burgers and anchored on a 45-year-old recipe from Cancio’s grandmother.
The partnership started when Nieto was asked by his friend if he’s interested to listen to a business proposal. After a series of meetings on how the business can be sustained down to the promotion and strategies to market the product, the friends started their burger business.
“Those days got me excited. I felt there was an opportunity in it and my trust in my would-be partners also played a big part for me to decide to go for it 100%,” Nieto shared.
The younger of the Nieto twins also owns the dog shop One Big Bark with his former teammate Thirdy Ravena.
“My attitude on this is not to treat my kennel to that of a piggery or chicken farm,” said the Management Economics graduate, who breeds corgis and keeshond puppies.
“I want to be a responsible breeder, and as much as I can, breed healthy puppies with high market value and that happen to be in demand in the market.”
The three-time UAAP champion, who was drafted by NLEX, shared that there are 3 keywords that student-athletes who aspire to open a business must remember: enjoy, friendship, and dreams.
Nieto knows that having a business won’t be smooth-sailing that’s why he advises those planning to establish one to find something enjoyable and worth the time.
He also believes that it is important to surround yourself with people whom you share mutual trust and can help follow your dreams.
Jayvee Sumagaysay
Handling businesses is no longer new for former UST Tiger Spiker Jayvee Sumagaysay, who started his own food business last June 8.
“I already experienced selling soap, t-shirts and gold, etc. I’m a business-minded person,” said the men’s national volleyball team member.
Sumagaysay established Sherep to stay productive and also showcase the cooking skills of his brother, who is a chef.
The business serves Pinoy-favorite silog meals, chicken wings, mango tapioca, and coffee jelly.
However, aside from the profit he gains from his business, it has also become a way for Sumagaysay to extend help to those affected by the pandemic.
Through donations, Sumagaysay was able to distribute meals to stranded passengers and jeepney drivers.
Sumagaysay’s business has lent a helping hand to the frontliners, who are working in the UST COVID-19 ward and Hospicio de San Jose, a homeless shelter in Quiapo.
“It feels like I’m hitting two birds with one stone. Being an entrepreneur, your goal is to earn money, but right now I’m not just an entrepreneur, but rather an instrument of God, and it feels so relieving,” said Sumagaysay, who plays for PLDT Home Fibr Power Hitters
“I want to inspire others that even if we’re experiencing a lot of negativity because of this pandemic, we’re still capable of helping others and we can start a business as well. Be optimistic!” he added.
Other UAAP athletes who ventured into business while sports remains at standstill are Adamson Soaring Falcons Jerom Lastimosa, who sells Merzci products from Bacolod; and National University libero Ricky Marcos, who delivers samgyupsal staples. – Aeron Gabriel Pantig/Rappler.com
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