AS A young child, Gilbert Locsin has been exposed to cooking because of his father's love for it. However, as a child then, he did not find cooking interesting yet but he slowly gained interest in it while growing up.
"Everytime na may occasion or fiesta talagang ini-invite siya para mag-cook. Nakita ko na ang mga tao na kumakain ng luto niya sobrang saya (Everytime there is an occasion or fiesta, people invite my father to cook. I can see in their faces that they are always happy to eat the food he cooks)," Gilbert said.
He said while growing up, when he is at his grandfather's, there would be times that he would cook food with his aunt, and people who eat the food they cook are happy. His grandfather kept on encouraging him to cook more.
"Umabot yung time na luto ako ng luto (There came a time that I was regularly cooking)," Gilbert said.
Over time he developed his love and talent for cooking.
At 24, he started his first business, which is a store offering shakes.
Then three years ago he opened a food establishment offering fresh salads, steaks, and pasta.
After a year, he stopped and ventured into catering, which lasted for almost two years.
Fast forward to the present, Gilbert now owns the Cafe 99, an outdoor cafe, along Jacinto extension, corner Torres St., that is offering affordable and delicious food every evening. The cafe started its operations last year.
"Kaya Cafe 99 siya because lahat ng food nagstart sa P99 (It is Cafe 99 because food here starts at P99)," he said.
Gilbert said as a business owner, he is very hands on in the management of the store; from buying of the ingredients to the marketing to cooking the dishes and to manning the store. He also ensures that he is able to use the best and freshest ingredients for his dishes by doing the groceries himself.
Gilbert shared that everything he serves at his store are all original recipes by him.
He said seeing the happy faces, knowing that his customers are satisfied and are coming back to the store, are enough to help drive the stress away.
"Doon [happy customers] pa lang...na-inspire na ako gumawa ng bagong menu (Since my customers are happy, I am inspired to make a new menu). I am enjoying what I am doing," Gilbert said.
In terms of handling the stress that comes with running a business, Gilbert shares that he makes sure that he is able to get enough sleep after closing the store and not to miss a day going to the gym regularly.
He said he is now eyeing to establish a new store soon offering seafood dishes. At present, he is looking for a location for the new venture.
"Just like Cafe 99, the price is affordable while the quality and quantity are not sacrificed," Gilbert said.
In keeping up with the competitive food industry, he said it is important to ensure that the quality of the food you are selling are at its best.
Gilbert said it is also important to keep up with the latest trends in the industry to remain competitive.
"You also have to create something new for your customers. That is why it is important you create your own recipe," he said, adding that having your own recipe will help you stand out in the market.
For young entrepreneurs, Gilbert reminds them of the importance of loving what you do.
"If you do not love what you do, it is either your business will last but you are not happy or your business will not last at all because you do not love it," he said.
Gilbert pointed out that for those who want to put up a business, they should make sure they really love it.
"For example sa food business, kahit gaano ka pa kapagod kung mahilig ka talaga sa pagluto hindi mo gaano mararamdaman ang pagod (In food business, no matter how tired you are, if you really love cooking, you won't feel tired at all). At the end of the day, makakatulog ka ng nakangiti (you'll be sleeping with a smile)," Gilbert said.
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