WoMeN iN busiNess - Planters Development Bank

ooms for parties or meetings can
accommodate small meetings for 25
to 40 persons, all the way to corporate
parties, birthdays, anniversaries,
and baptismal parties for 100 to
120 persons.
The biggest venue, the Diamond
Grand Ballroom, is perfect for
wedding banquets, debuts,
business seminars and conferences
and can accommodate from 150 to
300 persons. a winding staircase
from the executive Suite above the
ballroom provides for a dramatic
entrance for debutants, newlyweds,
or party hosts. Their wedding
packages include a bridal car
service, venue, and catering.
30 YEARS AND BEYoND
The blessings received by the
couple are truly overwhelming but
Merle and nelson Balicao remain
gracious and humble. They still
run day-to-day operations but are
now guiding their three children,
carmela, edward, and Bernard,
into the nitty-gritty of business.
The young successors have
contributed ideas like shifting
marketing efforts from cold calls
and word of mouth referrals to
more modern methods, including
new media advertising through the
internet, a website, e-mail and even
on Facebook.
outside the business, Merle is
also actively involved in the Los
Baños Tourism council as a council
officer. Mer-nel’s place is also a
registered member of Turismo
Los Baños inc., and would soon be
advertised in the Laguna Traveler’s
Guide and Map.
it has been said in many
languages that love can move
mountains. in Merle’s case, love for
family moved their business forward
against all odds.
no matter how difficult her
circumstance, she never failed to
put love as a vital ingredient in each
cake that she baked. it’s the bestkept
Mer-nel’s secret that has made
the hardest of hearts melt with every
bite.
MER-NEL’s PLACE
national highway, Brgy. Maahas
los Ba os, laguna
Tel. no. (049) 536-4544
website: www.mernelsplace.com
In A nUtSHELL
YEARS IN BuSINESS:
Mer-Nel’s has been baking breads and cakes
and catering in los Baños for 20 years now.
WHAT MADE uS BIg:
our bestseller heart-shaped chocolate cake
and other delicious cakes. love for the
business, hard work and giving value to our
customers.
WHAT WE VALuE:
humility and Service—we make our cakes,
prepare our food and serve our customers with
utmost attention to details with the goal of
making each occasion truly memorable.
MARKETINg:
Aside from word of mouth, we advertise in the
Laguna Traveler’s Guide and Map, and recently,
on the Internet through email and facebook.
2011 goALS:
To open more outlets in other towns, thus
creating more jobs. We also envision Mer-Nel’s
Cakes to be part of more family celebrations in
the years to come.
25