WHEN someone mentions the brand "Apo ni Lola," what immediately comes to mind are durian-flavored candies, tarts, candies, and other pasalubong items for visiting tourists in Davao City.
For 20 years now, Apo ni Lola has been providing the craved-for and the commonly-loved pasalubong items which are also easy to bring.
But with the Covid-19 pandemic situation, when travel restrictions had been put up, businesses that are involved in traveling such as souvenir shops are in a challenging situation. Apo ni Lola does not allow the situation to get the best of them. They understand that one of the ways to survive this dilemma is to innovate and offer new items that their customers will sure to love.
“With the current situation, with the people’s inability to freely move outside their houses and visit other places, we were pushed to come up with something to attract the locals of Davao City while they are just staying in their homes. Pasalubong items are staples that cater mainly to those who travel, we don’t usually think of them at the top of our minds when we are home,” Apo ni Lola marketing officer Katrina Velasco said.
With the shift of attention from tourists to residents, Apo ni Lola’s customer perspective is now also changed. Velasco added that when they monitor their social media accounts, they notice how their loyal customers are more interactive online now.
“We are happy to see the support they are showing with the slight change we have done in branding Apo ni Lola with Durian House,” she added.
On June 3, Apo ni Lola launched its pastry brand called Durian House which offers different combo sets including (1) Durian cappuccino and one slice durian pie (P250); (2) Durian shake and a box of durian piaya (P235); (3) Durian Mocha Fudge and a pack of durian macaroons (P265); and (4) Durian Cappuccino and a pack of hopia (P235). These combo sets can also be delivered wherever the customer is in Davao City.
“Our CEO, Mr.Arnel Raakin, is a strong believer in innovation in business. The growth of Apo ni Lola is mainly attributed to the various kinds of products that he formulated over time. With our launching of the Durian House by Apo ni Lola, we endeavor to soon add more products to our pastry lines and to open up more outlets that will serve not just our pasalubong items but also pastries and beverages. Maybe, someday, we’ll also open more outlets bearing the Durian House brand,” said Velasco.