Heidi M. Pascual*
Publisher & Editor
* 2006 Journalist of the Year for the State
of Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA)
Publisher & Editor
* 2006 Journalist of the Year for the State
of Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA)
| For more Asian American stories in Wisconsin, click: |
Heidi Pascual's new venture & challenge: HMP Cyber Hub & Photo Studio |
About the second week of August this year, I saw an advertisement at sulit.com.ph — a local ad website — for an established Internet
Café business for sale in Quezon City. I was immediately attracted to it, simply because the location isn’t far from my home (about 2
kilometers away); is very near several schools and within a commercial district in Quezon City; it has an existing customer base already;
and the price is reasonable, considering the equipment included in the offer. I immediately contacted the owner, Mr. Epifanio Fajardo, and
within the next week or so, I have become the new owner of Mr. Fajardo’s Internet Café. It was August 21 (my daughter’s birthday). Before
signing the Deed of Sale, though, I was introduced to the building owner and made sure I am accepted as the new business tenant of Stall
#9. The building owner/manager agreed after talking to me, explaining how much I had to pay up front for deposit and lease advance.
When I said “Okay,” he then set a day for me to pick up the Lease Agreement. The old Internet Café was then called “WebFair Business
Center” and had been in existence for about 10 years. While it had several positives, its condition did not pass my standards. It had
dilapidated vinyl flooring, unkempt comfort room, dirty equipment, and dirty walls and ceilings. For a few days, I had help trying to clean the
shop and its equipment, until I decided to completely renovate it. I closed it for about two weeks while a hired contractor worked on it with
his team.
I didn’t realize, however, that almost everything — floor, tiles, walls, and air conditioning unit — had to be changed. My expenses were
immediately doubled in a week! When the renovation was over, however, I was satisfied to see a more appealing Internet Café, a place
where people can stay for long periods of time and feel comfortable. The shop has been repainted all-white and a new lighted signage and
tarpaulin banner advertise the new shop pretty well, I think.
Starting a Business in Quezon City
Applying for business registration and permits, however, proved very challenging. First, I had to go to the Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI) to register a business name. When I arrived at DTI’s satellite office in Quezon City — 2nd floor, within the Quezon City Hall
complex near Elliptical Rd.— the only employee there said their computer is down and advised me to go to their office in Pasig City, along
EDSA (Epifanio delos Santos Ave.— the place where the PEOPLE POWER revolution occurred in 1986) and in front of SM Megamall. I
hailed a taxi and did so. The place was full of business registrants, of course. I got a number and waited until I got my registration
completed in about two hours. The funny thing was that the guy who assisted me there was the same employee who was at the Quezon City
Hall-DTI satellite office! When I told him that my business is a computer shop, he asked whether I am manufacturing anything related to
computers. Of course I said no, so he suggested an Internet Café instead. Okay. When he asked the name of my business and I said "HMP
Internet Café," the guy said everybody is using "Internet Cafe." So my son Dennis — who accompanied me there — suggested using “HMP
Cyber HUB.” I then proposed “HMP Cyber HUB and Photo Studio,” and the DTI person said it’s understood that I’d be doing everything
digital, so 'HMP Cyber HUB'” is enough, he added. What can I say? Okay, I agreed. I just wanted to get it over with and leave that place.
Next step, another day of course, was to get a barangay business clearance/permit.The barangay is the smallest political unit in the
Philippines, and it’s headed by a barangay chairman. First, I went to the barangay hall in Lagro, Quezon City, which is the closest barangay
hall to my “Cyber HUB.” I was told that another barangay has jurisdiction over the market place where my business is located, so off I went
to look for Barangay Pasong Putik Hall. To my surprise, this particular barangay hall is located closer to my house rather than to my Internet
Café! I didn’t want to further complicate things by asking too many questions, so I went directly to the Information Desk who directed me to
go upstairs to the Treasurer’s Office. The clerk gave me a short note listing the requirements and a phone number. The requirement said: DTI
registration, Lease Agreement, and a letter addressed to the barangay chairman requesting that I be granted a barangay clearance or permit
to operate a business. I went back to the building owner to get the Lease Agreement, but it took a few more days before I got it. Anyway, I
was able to secure a barangay clearance/permit after submitting the requirements and payment fee of 500 pesos (roughly $13).
The next step in this long process was to apply for a business permit at the Market Development Office in Quezon City Hall. The good
thing was, I didn’t have to go there personally; all I had to do was contact the assigned area person to visit the business and assess the
fee. In due time, a guy from this office named “John” came over to do his job. I submitted the requirements the next time John came —
about a week or so after his first visit to the shop — DTI business registration, barangay clearance/permit, a Lease Agreement certification
from the building owner, and a copy of the former owner’s business permit. Because my business started during the last quarter of the year,
I was assessed about 50% only of a year’s regular assessment. As of this writing, however, I have yet to receive my own business permit
from Quezon City Hall. I hope it won’t take until December this year, because I am required to file another round of permits from the barangay
level and city level to the Bureau of Internal Revenue. For this 2010 quarter, though, I haven’t reached the BIR level yet because I’m still
waiting for the City Hall permit! Meanwhile, I am still using the existing business permit for the former Internet Café business which I bought
from Mr. Fajardo, which is supposed to last until December this year.
HMP Cyber Hub & Photo Studio
I put up a lighted panaflex sign and a tarpaulin banner in front of my Internet Café to advertise ”HMP Cyber Hub & Photo Studio,” the
name of my shop. Every day, between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., I entertain customers, mostly students, who use the computers for their school
work, FaceBook, or e-mail. I have decided not to offer online gaming for a reason — I prefer to help students learn and graduate. Once in a
while, though, especially on weekends, I allow students to play nonviolent games for a limited time only. There are a few teachers who
come for me to type and edit their lesson plans, their tests, or their class schedules. There are customers who are applying for jobs so they
wanted their resumes to look good. Or customers who are running for elective positions and wanted their simple brochures to appear
professionally made. It is actually fun to be able to do all these. One thing I have observed, though, is that some people come for scanning
legal documents — such as Deed of Sale, School Registration Card, Official Receipts, Certificate of Employment, etc.— and ask me to EDIT
and CHANGE items therein! Whenever I turn them down by saying it’s against the law to alter official/legal documents, they either look
surprised or sad and helpless; some even slam the door when they get out of the shop. Oh well…
I also have reserved a corner of my Internet Café for my “Photo Studio,” just to be able to take ID and passport photos for a fee. I am
doing this because I really miss taking photographs in Madison. This time, however, I am taking photos in a much” smaller” scale. I am
also learning how to do a “Rush Photo ID” offering at less cost! I’m actually enjoying this new learning experience!
When I’m not busy attending to customers, I’m busy working on The Capital City Hues’ website and my online magazine, Asian
Wisconzine. The magic of technology has in fact allowed me to do these virtual wonderful work while “at work” in the Philippines! Can you
beat that? I feel I am in Madison and Quezon City (Metro Manila) at the same time. It is a great feeling to be able to do what you love, be with
family, and be informed of everything from all over the world through the eye of a small computer in front of you!
Although, of course, I miss some closest friends in Madison, its cold climate, and my home in Fitchburg.
Café business for sale in Quezon City. I was immediately attracted to it, simply because the location isn’t far from my home (about 2
kilometers away); is very near several schools and within a commercial district in Quezon City; it has an existing customer base already;
and the price is reasonable, considering the equipment included in the offer. I immediately contacted the owner, Mr. Epifanio Fajardo, and
within the next week or so, I have become the new owner of Mr. Fajardo’s Internet Café. It was August 21 (my daughter’s birthday). Before
signing the Deed of Sale, though, I was introduced to the building owner and made sure I am accepted as the new business tenant of Stall
#9. The building owner/manager agreed after talking to me, explaining how much I had to pay up front for deposit and lease advance.
When I said “Okay,” he then set a day for me to pick up the Lease Agreement. The old Internet Café was then called “WebFair Business
Center” and had been in existence for about 10 years. While it had several positives, its condition did not pass my standards. It had
dilapidated vinyl flooring, unkempt comfort room, dirty equipment, and dirty walls and ceilings. For a few days, I had help trying to clean the
shop and its equipment, until I decided to completely renovate it. I closed it for about two weeks while a hired contractor worked on it with
his team.
I didn’t realize, however, that almost everything — floor, tiles, walls, and air conditioning unit — had to be changed. My expenses were
immediately doubled in a week! When the renovation was over, however, I was satisfied to see a more appealing Internet Café, a place
where people can stay for long periods of time and feel comfortable. The shop has been repainted all-white and a new lighted signage and
tarpaulin banner advertise the new shop pretty well, I think.
Starting a Business in Quezon City
Applying for business registration and permits, however, proved very challenging. First, I had to go to the Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI) to register a business name. When I arrived at DTI’s satellite office in Quezon City — 2nd floor, within the Quezon City Hall
complex near Elliptical Rd.— the only employee there said their computer is down and advised me to go to their office in Pasig City, along
EDSA (Epifanio delos Santos Ave.— the place where the PEOPLE POWER revolution occurred in 1986) and in front of SM Megamall. I
hailed a taxi and did so. The place was full of business registrants, of course. I got a number and waited until I got my registration
completed in about two hours. The funny thing was that the guy who assisted me there was the same employee who was at the Quezon City
Hall-DTI satellite office! When I told him that my business is a computer shop, he asked whether I am manufacturing anything related to
computers. Of course I said no, so he suggested an Internet Café instead. Okay. When he asked the name of my business and I said "HMP
Internet Café," the guy said everybody is using "Internet Cafe." So my son Dennis — who accompanied me there — suggested using “HMP
Cyber HUB.” I then proposed “HMP Cyber HUB and Photo Studio,” and the DTI person said it’s understood that I’d be doing everything
digital, so 'HMP Cyber HUB'” is enough, he added. What can I say? Okay, I agreed. I just wanted to get it over with and leave that place.
Next step, another day of course, was to get a barangay business clearance/permit.The barangay is the smallest political unit in the
Philippines, and it’s headed by a barangay chairman. First, I went to the barangay hall in Lagro, Quezon City, which is the closest barangay
hall to my “Cyber HUB.” I was told that another barangay has jurisdiction over the market place where my business is located, so off I went
to look for Barangay Pasong Putik Hall. To my surprise, this particular barangay hall is located closer to my house rather than to my Internet
Café! I didn’t want to further complicate things by asking too many questions, so I went directly to the Information Desk who directed me to
go upstairs to the Treasurer’s Office. The clerk gave me a short note listing the requirements and a phone number. The requirement said: DTI
registration, Lease Agreement, and a letter addressed to the barangay chairman requesting that I be granted a barangay clearance or permit
to operate a business. I went back to the building owner to get the Lease Agreement, but it took a few more days before I got it. Anyway, I
was able to secure a barangay clearance/permit after submitting the requirements and payment fee of 500 pesos (roughly $13).
The next step in this long process was to apply for a business permit at the Market Development Office in Quezon City Hall. The good
thing was, I didn’t have to go there personally; all I had to do was contact the assigned area person to visit the business and assess the
fee. In due time, a guy from this office named “John” came over to do his job. I submitted the requirements the next time John came —
about a week or so after his first visit to the shop — DTI business registration, barangay clearance/permit, a Lease Agreement certification
from the building owner, and a copy of the former owner’s business permit. Because my business started during the last quarter of the year,
I was assessed about 50% only of a year’s regular assessment. As of this writing, however, I have yet to receive my own business permit
from Quezon City Hall. I hope it won’t take until December this year, because I am required to file another round of permits from the barangay
level and city level to the Bureau of Internal Revenue. For this 2010 quarter, though, I haven’t reached the BIR level yet because I’m still
waiting for the City Hall permit! Meanwhile, I am still using the existing business permit for the former Internet Café business which I bought
from Mr. Fajardo, which is supposed to last until December this year.
HMP Cyber Hub & Photo Studio
I put up a lighted panaflex sign and a tarpaulin banner in front of my Internet Café to advertise ”HMP Cyber Hub & Photo Studio,” the
name of my shop. Every day, between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., I entertain customers, mostly students, who use the computers for their school
work, FaceBook, or e-mail. I have decided not to offer online gaming for a reason — I prefer to help students learn and graduate. Once in a
while, though, especially on weekends, I allow students to play nonviolent games for a limited time only. There are a few teachers who
come for me to type and edit their lesson plans, their tests, or their class schedules. There are customers who are applying for jobs so they
wanted their resumes to look good. Or customers who are running for elective positions and wanted their simple brochures to appear
professionally made. It is actually fun to be able to do all these. One thing I have observed, though, is that some people come for scanning
legal documents — such as Deed of Sale, School Registration Card, Official Receipts, Certificate of Employment, etc.— and ask me to EDIT
and CHANGE items therein! Whenever I turn them down by saying it’s against the law to alter official/legal documents, they either look
surprised or sad and helpless; some even slam the door when they get out of the shop. Oh well…
I also have reserved a corner of my Internet Café for my “Photo Studio,” just to be able to take ID and passport photos for a fee. I am
doing this because I really miss taking photographs in Madison. This time, however, I am taking photos in a much” smaller” scale. I am
also learning how to do a “Rush Photo ID” offering at less cost! I’m actually enjoying this new learning experience!
When I’m not busy attending to customers, I’m busy working on The Capital City Hues’ website and my online magazine, Asian
Wisconzine. The magic of technology has in fact allowed me to do these virtual wonderful work while “at work” in the Philippines! Can you
beat that? I feel I am in Madison and Quezon City (Metro Manila) at the same time. It is a great feeling to be able to do what you love, be with
family, and be informed of everything from all over the world through the eye of a small computer in front of you!
Although, of course, I miss some closest friends in Madison, its cold climate, and my home in Fitchburg.
Clockwise from left: An open restaurant/eatery on the ground floor caters to
drivers, students, and tenants of the building; A view of Quirino Highway from
HMP Cyber Hub & Photo Studio; Some of the computer stations inside HMP
Cyber Hub; Signage and entry to my Internet Cafe
drivers, students, and tenants of the building; A view of Quirino Highway from
HMP Cyber Hub & Photo Studio; Some of the computer stations inside HMP
Cyber Hub; Signage and entry to my Internet Cafe
By Heidi M. Pascual
Before going back to the Philippines from Wisconsin, I had planned on building an Internet Café at the corner
of Antler and Adrian St. in Quezon City, my home address. Our family lot, 396 square meters in all, has been
Before going back to the Philippines from Wisconsin, I had planned on building an Internet Café at the corner
of Antler and Adrian St. in Quezon City, my home address. Our family lot, 396 square meters in all, has been
divided into four – three 100 square meters each for my three children — built with townhouses for each of them — and one 96 square
meters for me. This area is still open for construction, and half of it, the corner-most, is supposed to house my Internet Café. But my
youngest son’s home is still under construction, so I knew it would take awhile before my plan can materialize.
meters for me. This area is still open for construction, and half of it, the corner-most, is supposed to house my Internet Café. But my
youngest son’s home is still under construction, so I knew it would take awhile before my plan can materialize.