From singing sensation to self-made businessman

FROM a singing sensation to self-made businessman, Wenceslao Cornejo III has indeed gone a long, long way. The Manila-based songwriter and vocalist is now a residence of Davao City.

Currently, he is busy promoting his pastry products, including the Galletas de Davao, a wafer-thin cookie that’s like the lengua de gato.
Unlike the traditional lengua, his galletas are light and supremely delicate. They literally melt in your mouth. They come in various flavors, from plain to ube to durian.

"I named it as such because I want my product to be a pasalubong item from Davao, Wency SAID, as he is popularly known. "I hope it to be what otap is to Cebu or peanut brittle and strawberry jam is to Baguio."

Recently, Wency opened up an outlet at the Davao International Airport (DIA). "Being a pasalubong item, it's only natural to place the product in a place where most tourists are," he said

Aside from the DIA, the galletas are available at Swiss Deli, Buon Gusto (Abreeza), Maan's Bakery (Robinson's Cybergate), Fish Bay, and at Pete's Café. There is also an outlet at the third floor of SM Megamall in Manila.

Galletas de Davao is just one of the baked goods that he produces and distributes. He also supplies various cakes, pastries and cookies around the city. Among his clients are Chicco de Café, Cellar de Oboza, Lyndon’s Worst Ribs and Awful Chicken, Purple Bean, Buon Gusto, Maan’s bakeshop, Rams, Palo Vince, and Café Demitasse.

Looking back, he said he never dream of going into this kind of business. "I was forced by circumstances," he admitted.

According to him, a close friend came up with an idea of a venture on pasta and salad dressing, where the two of them as business partner. But something happened along the way, and his partner just left him. "It was my money spent for the commissary and I had to do something with it," he said.

Good enough, he met someone who also into pastry business in Manila. Just as he was hoping for the best, another blow came. He was not the one who discussed with the details of the rent with owner, so he dropped the idea altogether.

In a short span of time, he was able to produce several pastry products under the company name Kraze Kits Bakeshop. “Other than music, cooking and baking are the other passions of my life,” he admits. “I’m very blessed to have pursued my passions. My business partner, Cats del Rosario, inspired me to go on with it.”

Wency started early with cooking and baking. “When I was younger, we used to live with my lola who was a very good cook,” he recalls. “Right in front of my lola’s house was my uncle’s place and his wife was also a very good cook and baker. I’d always eat there.”

When his family transferred, Wency missed the foods he used to have. “My mom, being the busy media person that she is, didn’t have much time to cook so I took it upon myself to learn and the rest is history.”

Ten years, he sees himself retired from the business; he is now 45 years old. “Hopefully, my son has taken over handling the business,” he says.
“I hope he will be able to expand it. Also, I look forward to being able to just relax and do things for the sake of experiencing them. I don’t want to grow too old to enjoy the fruits of my labor.”

Fans who enjoy his song, rejoice. Wency is planning of coming out with an album next year. “Maybe when the business is more settled, I’ll have time to write and record,” he said.