Alden-lookalike flight attendant turns to dessert business amid pandemic

A flight attendant has started an online business selling desserts to earn some income amid the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Bernadette Reyes' report on "24 Oras," Mike Quinzon was concerned about paying his monthly bills as he has not been receiving his salary due to the grounding of commercial flights.

He decided to go the entrepreneurial route and started with a capital of P500 to make sweet treats, but his venture quickly took off thanks to a surprising asset: his face.

"Nung nag-start akong mag-vlogging, may mga nag-cocomment, they're calling me 'bae.' Kasi daw may hawig daw ako kay Pambansang Bae Alden Richards," he said.

He embraced his role as "Flying Bae" and became the endorser of his own products. Dancing and acting became a part of his marketing strategy to promote his banchokie or banana-chocolate-cookie and creamy pandan cake.

"Modesty aside, malaking tulong na nagkaroon ako ng mga connections at kahit papaano may mga supporters or followers ako sa social media," he said.

Thanks to his face, the business skills he learned from his parents' bakery, and his own hobby of cooking and preparing food, Mike is now earning around P10,000 per month.

Aviation may be one of industries hit hardest by the pandemic, but he did not let that stop him from trying to make a livelihood.

"Find ways para maging productive 'yung araw or buong buwan kasi you have to help your parents as well," he said. "Sobrang hirap ng buhay ngayon." —MGP, GMA News