Stars in business

Something to fall back on when the showbiz spotlight grows dim

There’s no business like show business. It’s also a business of make-believe symbolized by twin masks, one happy and the other sad...happy when the going is smooth and sad when times are tough. Stardom can be fleeting...here today, gone tomorrow...so forward-minded stars make sure they have something to fall back on when the showbiz spotlight grows dim. Lucky are the ones who have put up businesses.

Heart Evangelista: Beautifully-painted dresses and expensive paintings (her own)

Food, glorious food! Humans have to eat and several stars know that, that’s why many of them are in the restaurant business, including Rachel Alejandro and sister Barni (Sexy Chef, a health-food delivery), Marvin Agustin (who runs several branches of Japanese restos), Kris Bernal, Shamcey Supsup (Pedro ‘N Coi), Judy Ann Santos and husband Ryan Agoncillo, McCoy de Leon (fruit and vegetable store in Divisoria), Richard Yap, and Dennis Trillo and girlfriend Jennylyn Mercado.

Alden Richards: McDonald’s and Concha’s Garden Cafe

Also in the food business is Alden Richards, who is assured of a bright future once he retires (years from now) from showbiz. With his family, Alden manages two branches of Concha’s Garden Cafe (one in Silang, Cavite) and the other in Quezon City (at the back of Belo Medical Clinic Group/BMG on Tomas Morato Avenue) and a McDonald’s franchise in his native Laguna. Alden helped McDonald’s Kenneth Yang in distributing food packages among frontliners.

Gladys Reyes and husband Christopher Roxas (with their children): Estela restaurant in Cainta, Rizal, and events catering service

And there’s couple Gladys Reyes and Christopher Roxas who own and manage Estela restaurant at Sta. Lucia Mall (along Marcos Highway, Cainta, Rizal), which offers an array of Western, Asian and fusion cuisine prepared by Christopher (real surname: Sommeraux), who holds a degree in Culinary Arts and has worked as chef at Monaco Palace in France. The couple has recently ventured into events catering.

Vina Morales (left) and sister Shaina Magdayao: Ystilo (since 1999) with branches nationwide

Next to food, the popular choice is, understandably, health/beauty business. Aside from Jennylyn who has a spa off Kamuning Road in Quezon City and Patricia Javier who helps her husband, Dr. Rob Walcher, run chiropractic clinics, Vina Morales and her sister Shaina Magdayao have been managing Ystilo salon since August 1999 with outlets around the country — Cagayan de Oro, Bataan, Pampanga, Tagbilaran City, Dagupan City, Davao, Laguna, Alabang, Shoppesville in Greenhills, Robinsons Place in Lipa City, and SM (Sta. Rosa, Laguna; San Lazaro; Gensan; and Mall Of Asia/MOA).

“We offer quality service using reasonably-priced products and topnotch service,” assured Vina, “and the trendiest and updated hairstyles.” (For franchise inquiries, call 02-89277532, 8415-0222 or 0917-3124220.)

Sylvia Sanchez (with daughter Ria): From endorser to distributor of Beautederm products

After being an endorser for Rhea Anicoche-Tan’s Beautederm, Sylvia Sanchez has decided to be a distributor initially with an outlet in Gensan and, recently, on Roces Avenue in Quezon City.

“I’m a user of Beautederm products,” said Sylvia (whose son Arjo is also an endorser), “and I trust them.”

In the clothing business are Regine Tolentino and Heart Evangelista who does beautifully-painted dresses (exclusively for Cris Roque’s Kamiseta) and paintings that cost as much as seven figures each.

Diana Zubiri is into something else.

“My main business is dormitory, starting in 2013,” said Diana. “I used to stay in a townhouse near a school kaya ko naisip na gawin siyang paupahan. I had it renovated and I stayed in the master’s bedroom upstairs. Nung lumakas na ang business, bumili ako ng sarili kong bahay para bumukod.”

Diana’s second business is selling Beauche beauty products starting also in 2013 when she met the owner, Che Delos Reyes.

“Che is a success story kaya na-inspire ako,” related Diana. “She started from nothing hanggang umasenso siya. We have common friends. Che invited me to sell Kojic soap. Before long, I opened a small store in Marikina. When JC Premiere took me as endorser for its siomai, I acquired a Siomai King Cart and put it beside my small store. I have also put up a gym apparel (Be Amazing) business in 2015 that I will relaunch as SORA Athleisure this year.”

Meanwhile, Diana is helping her husband, Andy Smith, in his and two partners’ business, Kape en co, in Tribu Babaylan (Tomas Morato Avenue corner Scout Lazcano, Quezon City).

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)