28/04/2026
#๐๐ธ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต๐ฐ๐ฏ๐จ๐๐ด๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ด๐ฐ๐๐จ๐๐ข๐ณ๐ข๐ฏ๐จ๐ข๐ฏ
๐๐ข๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ฐ๐๐๐ญ ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฌ: ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ง๐๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ฌ๐
The success of Mamis Sugong General Merchandise in Alabel is a powerful testament to perseverance, adaptability, and unwavering vision. What began as a humble venture selling basic commodities has blossomed into one of Sarangani Province's most prominent grocery stores, steered by the remarkable journey of Mr. Bernardo Lames.
Originally from Sultan Kudarat, Mr. Lames, a former government employee, brought his family to Alabel, driven by a fierce determination to build a better life. In 2009, with a modest โฑ10,000 capital, they started small, selling salt, sugar, and spices at the Alabel Public Market, with family members serving as their dedicated first employees.
Their initial success allowed them to expand their product range, gradually transforming their market stall into a sari-sari store. As their customer base and inventory grew, the store outgrew its space, prompting a move to a larger location to better serve their thriving clientele.
However, the path to success was far from smooth. Mamis Sugong faced numerous challenges and adversities, including four relocations, debts, robberies, and mismanagement. Each obstacle was met with resilience, becoming a valuable lesson. The most devastating blow came in 2013 when their cherished store and all its inventory were lost in a fire. For a month, they paused, reflecting and strategizing their recovery.
Through it all, the DTI Sarangani Province provided crucial support, inviting them to Negosyo Center trainings, offering guidance on price and supply monitoring, and conducting consumer advocacy and Fair Trade Laws seminars. These interventions helped Mamis Sugong continuously improve and remain compliant.
Sixteen years after its inception, Mr. Lames has proudly passed the management reins to his daughter, Ms. Jenny Rica Lames. The business has had a profound impact on their lives: supporting four children through higher education, enabling the purchase of vehicles, and acquiring farmland.
From a family-run operation, Mamis Sugong now employs at least 10 dedicated staff, serving satisfied customers not only in Alabel but also in neighboring municipalities. Mr. Lames attributes their enduring success to a philosophy of never giving up, dreaming big, taking calculated risks, embracing change, and understanding customer needs. For him, true business success extends beyond profit; it's about making a positive, lasting impact on society for generations to come. END (๐๐๐ ๐๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ต ๐๐ต๐ข๐ง๐ง ๐๐ณ๐ช๐ด๐ต๐ฆ๐ญ๐ญ๐ฆ ๐๐ฐ๐ฉ๐ฏ ๐. ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ช๐ฏ๐ฐ)
