Diskarte with a bicycle: this is how a father bounced back after the pandemic cancelled all of his business deals.

 Ian Siangco can be spotted easily in the crowd. He is on his bike wearing a Filipino-inspired costume: red pants, red handkerchief around his neck, salakot on his head and two rattan baskets at the back of his bicycle. He is selling sticky rice.
 
What kind of sticky rice is in the basket? It’s suman moron, a native delicacy of Leyte and Samar that’s made from rice flour, peanut butter and milk. He offers two flavors, ube and chocolate, for fifteen pesos apiece.
 
“Ganito ‘yung suot ko para hindi masakit sa mata ng mga customers,” he told First Bike Ride. “Tsaka naka-bike ako kasi komportable tapos maayos ang pinaglalagyan ng products.”
 
A bicycle makes it also convenient for him to deliver his sweets when someone calls for bulk orders.
 
“Dati kasi binibitbit ko lang itong mga paninda ko kasi hindi pa ako nakakabili ng bike,” he said. “Nag-ipon muna ako bago bumili ng bisikleta online.”
 
His shop is called “Brent and Brenice” because it is named after his son and daughter. He’s a proud dad, sometimes showing the photos of his two kids to his customers.
 
Ian used to install CCTVs for restaurants and private individuals. Unfortunately, like many others, his livelihood was hit hard by the pandemic. His clients cancelled their business deals with him during the community quarantine.
 
Life has to move on and Ian needs to earn money. That’s why he came up with the idea of selling suman morons on the streets. He partnered with his older brother who was forced to close his carinderia during the beginning of the lockdown period.
 
“Si kuya bahala sa production at ako naman bahala sa distribution,” Ian said.
 
Ian can be seen roaming around Manila and Pasay on a bicycle with his sweets from Tuesday to Friday at Roxas Boulevard. He’s at CCP Complex’ Harbor Square every weekend. Monday is his rest day.
 
“Brent and Brenice” accepts orders for delivery. Contact them at 09770027377 or 09518545888. You can also email them at brentbrenice88@gmail.com. They also have a Facebook account.

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