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Rapper, content creator, and entrepreneur Pio Albuena is trying to build his empire --- one cap at a time.

Rapper-actor, director, vlogger and content creator Pio Balbuena cannot be thankful enough that after four years, his very successful Tambay caps are still strongly patronized not just in the Philippines, but in other parts of the globe.

Tambay cap isn't just a business for Pio. It's a lifestyle, a movement and a source of inspiration for many. He is now the successful CEO of Tambay Traders, Inc., the company duly registered to do business online worldwide.

From the start, the caps helped its resellers who inevitably changed their lives because of selling the merchandise. “Tambay to Riches” is their goal.

“It stands as a testament to the power of dreaming big and helping others achieve greatness,” said Pio.

In fact, in an episode called “Sahod ng Tambay” of Pio's now-popular Tambay series online, erstwhile employee Francis M. Nuñez revealed how he was able to earn from being a reseller of tambay cap.

He said, “While before I would pawn my ATM, today, I am earning right in selling tambay caps. I can teach you my technique. If I am able to do it, you can also do the same. I even have a mini-shop today.”

Recently, Pio and his team unveiled the release of “Rare Cap” or V18 Pilipinas, which had the quantity of only 200 pieces. Their V19, meanwhile, sold in three days and Tambay cap trended on social media.

Tambay cap became Pio's advocacy since the business started. The aim? To elevate the status of "tambays."

“Before, other people looked at tambays as good-for-nothing bums, who will not definitely achieve anything,” Pio said. “Today, in my perspective, other people give importance to tambays.”

Pio was literally a tambay, but with hard work and perseverance, he was able to reach his dreams and attain success.

The success of the series prompted Pio to start his Tambay cap business, with the product sold online, reaching not only the Philippines, but also Singapore, South Korea, the Middle East, Italy and the US.

Pio's wife, Aira, helped and assisted him in running the business since he started with Tambay Traders, Inc. four years ago.

“Ever since, my wife has been very supportive in everything I do,” Pio asserted. “She supports my dreams, my craft. She is always the first one who encourages me to pursue my dreams. It's very important that our partner supports what we want to do. We will not move forward easily, if we don't get any support from the one who stays with you at night when you sleep.”

Before, others looked at bums (tambay) as a piece of rug. “They always thought we could do nothing productive,” Pio shared. “That's why I changed the rags-to-riches connotation. I made it tambay-to riches. We are idle, but we are definitely not rugs.

“So when you have a nice dream, you can tell someone about it who will smile with you. But if you had a nightmare, somebody can instantly wake you up.”

Before he embarked on his business, Pio and his team earlier created a Tambay series that became popular and attracted millions of viewers and regular followers.

Pio just released a rap single, “Mga Tambay,” now on Spotify. The song will serve as the new anthem for tambays.

The tambays have improved their respective lives after only more than a year in the business. “We get constant support from buyers and our designs are always sold out,” Pio beamed.

He managed to expand his Tambay cap business even in the pandemic. He and his team have been selling online to as far as the US and Europe. “For me, tambay cap is like adaptation of marketing in the place where I grew up,” said Pio. “We call our resellers 'tulak,' while our distributors are called 'source.' The buyers are called 'scorers.'

“We all make money. We don't force anyone into the business and I never invited a source. Once someone comes in and we realize that he could help others by joining our business as a distributor or reseller, often, they ask me if they can help. We only have but one goal. To make money using our strategy.”

From the start, the caps are instantly attractive to the Tambay customers. “I think the caps readily appealed to them,” Pio said. “The designs are merely plus points. What appealed more to the buyers is the advocacy of our story including our resellers.”

Undoubtedly, Pio's entertainment image largely helps in pushing the Tambay caps to the forefront of his business. “It is a big help that I was able to build my image in the hip-hop industry, in the music world as a whole,” Pio asserted. “Even my becoming an actor. You build a name for yourself. Even before others help you, you help yourself first.”

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