In 2019, baker Cristine Rondilla took her passion for baking online, launching her YouTube channel “Lutong Tinapay” to share bread and pastry recipes. Little did she know, her “Bread Baking 101s” would strike a chord that they drew 562,000 subscribers and nearly 60 million views.
Among her subscribers were Edizon and Jane Dagaraga, whose lives took a pivotal turn during the pandemic. After losing their jobs in 2022, the couple stumbled upon Cristina’s empanada recipe on Facebook.
The next day, they started selling online and in local eateries, eventually opening their own eatery, “EJanes Kitchenette,” in Dangcagan, Bukidnon within two years.
In a message sent to Cristine, the couple expressed gratitude to the content creator.
“Within 2 years, nakabili kami ng oven at ito our first eatery featuring our best seller empanada galing sa recipe ni mam tin,” they said.
The pair said that while they have grown past just being an empanada business, they will forever be grateful for the kindness shared by Cristine, through “Lutong Tinapay”.
“Gusto ko Ing Po eshare Ang success story Po namin mag Asawa to inspire my ka Lutong Tinapay and magpasalamat Sayo… Thank you so much and forever grateful Sayo mam Tin,” they said.
In reposting the message of Edizon and Jane, Cristine couldn’t help but get emotional over the gratitude shown to her. “Mukha lang po akong ex-convict pero iyakin ako kapag nakakabasa ng ganito. Gaya ng lagi kong sinasabi sipag lang!” said Cristine.
