ECQ Stories: Volleyball player Jayvee Sumagaysay delivers food for his business
You know how they say that when life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade? That's exactly what professional volleyball player and national athlete Jayvee Sumagaysay did during the quarantine period.
When most people became wary and decided to tighten their purse strings, Jayvee used his free time to launch his own food business.
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Jayvee Sumagaysay of PLDT / Source: @jayveesumagaysay (IG)
GMANetwork.com got a chance to speak with the promising young athlete and he shared how he was able to turn the quarantine period into a positive and productive time.
Career on hold
In case you didn't know, Jayvee is the middle blocker of the PLDT Home Fibr Power Hitters, and he's also part of the Philippine Men's National Volleyball team.
Like most people, 2020 caught Jayvee by surprise, especially when the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was implemented last March 17 up until June 1.
For him, the ECQ meant that his volleyball career would have to be put on hold, as sports-related mass gatherings are prohibited under this period.
“Matagal na nga po yung last na laro namin. Last October pa yung competition ng Spikers' Turf. So ang tagal na po naming bakante,” he recalled, referring to his stint in the popular commercial volleyball league, in which the likes of Marck Espejo and John Vic De Guzman also plays.
“Continuous naman po 'yung training namin, lalo na sa national team. Pero 'yung sa PLDT po, dapat magre-resume na kami pero biglang nag-quarantine. So 'di po natuloy.”
Like many, the 25-year-old had worries about the postponement of the games and about the pandemic, in general.
“First na naisip ko, 'yung kondisyon ko as an athlete…yung training, self-discipline… and yung income na rin kasi hindi naman kontrata yung sa'min na kahit walang games tuloy-tuloy kami. So, second yung income, then third is yung health, of course.”
The turning point
Instead of being paralyzed by fear or anxiety, Jayvee had a light bulb moment during the quarantine period.
“Inisip ko na nandito lang ako sa bahay… 'yung mama ko andyan, 'yung kapatid kong chef, ako andito, so 'yung manpower, meron ako. So, naisip ko 'mag-food business na lang kaya ako?”
Jayvee decided to start his food business, which he cleverly called 'Sherep'.
Sherep is an online food business that serves Pinoy-favorite 'silog' meals, chicken wings, mango tapioca, and coffee jelly.
Part of Sherep's menu / Source: @jayveesumagaysay (IG)
But, there's something extra special about Sherep's food delivery service: Jayvee himself delivers the orders to their customers!
The former University of Santo Tomas spiker is super hands-on with his food business that he decided to do the deliveries himself, much to the surprise of the customers.
“Yung pinakaunang customer ko, pagkadeliver ko sa kanya, sabi niya agad sa'kin, “Hala! Ikaw nga!” Nagulat ako. Hindi siya makapaniwala na ako yung magdedeliver sa kanya.”
Here's Jayvee getting ready for his delivery duties for Sherep / Source: @jayveesumagaysay (IG)
“Ngayon po ang daming orders. Hindi ko na nga rin po alam kung paano ko sila pagbibigyan lahat, kaya kumuha rin po ako ng rider.”
If you're a fan wanting to see Jayvee in person, don't worry; Jayvee has not completely abandoned his delivery duties for Sherep.
“Hindi po ako umulit ng customer muna, para lahat po mapagbigyan ko muna.
“Kapag ako po yung nagdedeliver sa customer, hindi ako naglalagay ng 'ilang' factor, 'yung parang may gap sa customer at sa delivery boy.”
“[Ginagawa ko lang] 'yung usual na ginagawa tapos ako na po yung nag-iinitiate na 'pictue naman po tayo. Minsan ako na po nag-iiinitiate kasi parang feeling ko baka nahihiya.”
Inspiration and motivation
Jayvee revealed that his family was his main inspiration and motivation in launching his business.
“Kaya napagdesisyunan ko pong mag-business, kasi 'yung kuya ko ay chef and may family na siya, gusto po niyang mag-abroad, pero naisip ko may family na siya, gusto ko andito na lang siya para maging hands-on father siya.
“Never ko kasing na-experience kaya gusto kong gawin ng kapatid ko sa family niya. Though gusto ko rin gawin sa magiging family ko in the near future.”
“Pipilitin kong mag-boom tong business na 'to para mag-stay yung kuya ko dito kasama yung family niya, and para na rin maging family business na namin ito, hindi lang para sa akin.”
Giving back
Venturing into food business is not just all about profit for Jayvee, as it has also become a way for him to extend help to others.
“Natuwa ako nung pinasok ko itong business na ito kasi nakakatulong ako sa mga taong gustong tumulong, which is yung mga taong nagdodonate ngayon ng puro hundred packs of food para sa frontliners and mga less fortunate.”
He also shared a touching story about a young person who wanted to donate five hotsilog meals.
“Nakita niya 'yung 20 packs na dinonate ko somewhere. Sabi niya, 'Kuya nakakatuwa naman 'yung ginagawa mo. Gusto ko rin po magdonate ng five hotsilog.' Parang ginalaw niya pa ata 'yung ipon niya para doon.
“So ako, hindi ko siya tinanggihan kasi 'yun 'yung gusto ng bata eh. At least pwede ko siyang i-post sa social media kasi nakaka-inspire siya. Sobra. As in. Ako na 'yung nagdeliver para sadyain ko siya. Nakakatuwa.”
According to Jayvee, this week alone, they will serve hundreds of meal donations.
“On Wednesday, 238 packs ang idodonate namin sa Hospicio de San Jose sa Quiapo. Sa Friday or Saturday naman, 200 packs naman. 50 packs para sa frontliners sa COVID ward ng UST. Then yung 150 packs, iiikot ko po siya around Manila.”
Message for fellow athletes
Jayvee hopes his story will inspire other athletes to stay hopeful and be creative when it comes to looking for ways to earn income.
“'Wag nila kalimutan na magpakondisyon para sa katawan nila kasi naniniwala ako na ilang months lang matatapos din 'tong sitwasyon na 'to. So kailangan nasa kondisyon pa rin kayo palagi.
“About doon sa income, siguro ang maa-advise ko ay hindi mo kailangan ng malaking kapital para magumpisa ng business.
“May teammates po ako na nagbebenta ng lutong ulam ng nanay nila, ganun. Hindi naman kailangan ng malaking kapital.”
On staying optimistic during the pandemic
Despite all the uncertainties and problems that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought into our lives, Jayvee is determined to turn the crisis into something positive.
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“Nagsimula 'yung taon natin ng malungkot, pero choice mo na lang din kung tatapusin mo 'yung taon na malungkot or masaya.”
“'Yung choice ko po is nag-business na lang po ako. Nakakatulong pa ako sa pamilya ko at sa ibang tao.”
“Iki-claim ko na agad na ito ang magiging plot twist ng 2020 ko.”
He also shared some of the things that he looks forward to once the pandemic is over.
“First, as an athlete, 'yung magresume na po 'yung tournament namin. Kahit na busy na ako sa business hindi pa rin nawawala sa 'kin 'yung daily workout ko. Para pagbalik ko po, one hundred percent pa rin (ako).”
Jayvee added, “Dahil hindi po ako na-line up last year sa SEA games, so 'yung eagerness ko na ma-line up na ngayong 2021 ay nandoon pa rin. Never ako na-demoralize.”
He also shared his dream for his newly opened food business.
“As a businessman naman, itong online food business ko na 'to, ang nakikita ko for the bigger picture ay gusto ko siyang itayo somewhere, na gawin siyang restaurant.”
Nothing is impossible
Whenever faced with difficulties, people often focus on what is lacking or what is not feasible. But, with Jayvee's story, hopefully more people will be inspired to focus on the possibilities, see the silver lining, and to not be afraid to chase their dreams even at an uncertain time like this.
For more lifestyle content, head out to GMA's Lifestyle page.
And for updates on the Coronavirus Disease pandemic and the enhanced community quarantine, visit GMA's COVID-19 page and ECQ page.
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