“Masaya at proud ako na ang mga itinuro ko ay nakatulong sa iba,” shares Loreta R. Gersava, her smile radiating the joy of turning life’s challenges into opportunities—not just for herself, but for others too.

In 2011, Loreta and her family relocated from Navotas to Towerville 6G, Brgy. Gaya-Gaya, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan—a resettlement area for underprivileged Metro Manila residents. Despite the community’s underdevelopment, her entrepreneurial spirit thrived. Leveraging her experience as an OFW, she started selling kakanin and homemade food, pioneering a local trend that inspired others to offer breakfast dishes by 2012.

During peak seasons, Loreta and her two assistants would bake up to 5,000 pieces of puto, starting work as early as 1 a.m. and finishing deliveries by 6 a.m. Their dedication earned them significant income, with each member taking home over ₱2,000 weekly.

Seeing the potential of her growing business, Loreta completed TESDA’s Bread and Pastry Production course in 2014, earning a National Certificate II. This boosted her confidence and allowed her to upgrade equipment like a steamer and oven. In 2017, she registered Klengclyde Food Stall & Homemade Delicacies with DTI, expanding her customer base and opportunities.

Despite her business success, Loreta faced personal hardships. After losing a sibling, she raised her partially deaf nephew alongside her two children. Her eldest works at a vegetable market, while her youngest studies criminology but dreams of becoming an architect. Her nephew, employed at a grocery store, hopes to resume his studies. Loreta’s husband, an on-call construction worker, helps sustain their household.

To supplement their income, Loreta worked as a lady guard from 2018 to 2020 while managing her bakery. Balancing these roles required immense dedication and resulted in many sleepless nights.

The pandemic in 2020 brought unexpected challenges—orders dropped, and ingredient prices soared. Relying on faith and resourcefulness, Loreta kept her business afloat. In 2021, she joined the Towerville 6 Community Welfare Organization, Inc., founded by Alex Torres, who served as its president in 2020. Through this group, she connected with DTI for valuable support.

With guidance from Ms. Jelley Magno, a business counselor at Negosyo Center San Jose del Monte, Loreta attended webinars on business management, marketing, and production in 2022, refining her strategies and improving operations.

In 2023, Loreta became a beneficiary of DTI’s Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) program. The bakery package she received included 7 packs of all-purpose flour, 30 boxes of baking powder, 45 packs of baking soda, 30 packs of refined sugar, 20 trays of eggs, 20 pieces of butter, 9 packs of bread crumbs, 15 boxes of fortified milk, 10 packs of iodized salt, and 20 packs of chocolate powder. This support allowed her to meet bulk orders, such as 2,000 pieces of banana cakes and puto, especially during the holiday season.

Loreta’s assistant, Ate Nelia, used the skills she learned to start a puto business, supporting her family and sending her child to school—who later graduated as a teacher. “Masaya at proud ako na ang mga itinuro ko ay nakatulong sa iba,” Loreta shares.

Loreta’s story proves that determination, resilience, and shared knowledge can transform not only one’s future but also the lives of others.

Enterprise Details:
Klengclyde Food Stall & Homemade Delicacies
Loreta Resco Gersava
Blk 60 Lot 2 Towerville 6G, Brgy. Gaya-Gaya, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan
0938-512-4711 ♦

Date of release: 03 March 2025

Related posts:

Likha ng Central Luzon: A Showcase of Regional Creativity and Innovation Expecting the Unexpected DTI-3, SM Launch MSME Calamity Recovery Care Centers DTI’s commitment to elevating rural MSMEs: Driving sustainable growth in 2025 DTI-3 joins World Bamboo Month celebration DTI urges barangay enterprises to register as BMBEs for benefits