From Content Creation to Proud Kalamay Maker: The Sweet Shift of a Local Hustler
By Hello, BKDNN
BKDNN Finds | Local Stories, Homegrown Grit
“As a small content creator, I used to hope business owners would approach me for promotions. But then I realized: why not promote my own products instead?”
A Craving That Turned Into a Calling
Some stories start with opportunity.
This one? It started with a childhood craving.
Long before Jeams Claude Alivio from Valencia City became a content creator or an aspiring brand builder, kalamay had already left its mark — not as a business idea, but as a comforting childhood favorite.
“Since childhood, fav na gyud nako sya. But it’s not something you’d easily find here in Bukidnon. Wala kaayo’y gapamaligya diri… and not everyone gets to go to Bohol.”
That longing for a taste of home turned into a spark — and soon enough, into a full-blown passion project.
When he finally got the chance to learn how to cook the delicacy himself, he jumped right in. But like most good things, it came with a learning curve.
“I failed many times before I got the consistency right. It wasn’t just about flavor — it was shelf life, texture, packaging, the whole thing.”
From Waiting to Creating
He used to wait.
Wait for businesses to approach him.
Wait for collaborations.
Wait for the DM that might change his life.
But instead of waiting, Jeams chose to create.
Why wait for a brand deal when he could build his own brand?
That shift in mindset launched what he now calls The Kalamay Chronicles — a journey of self-reliance, experimentation, and sweet success.
And through every step of that sticky journey, he wasn’t alone. Behind the scenes, cheering him on and helping bring the vision to life is his ever-supportive wife, Ann Pagunsan-Alivio — proof that no hustle is sweeter than one rooted in shared dreams.
The Heartbreak No One Posts About
Not all milestones are photo-worthy. Some come wrapped in failure.
Imagine waiting for weeks for a kalamay batch, only to open the container and find it spoiled with mold. It’s a crushing feeling most small entrepreneurs know too well — but few talk about.
Still, he kept going. He stirred harder. Adjusted techniques. Kept learning. Kept believing.
Today, every jar of his homemade Boholano delicacy is a story in itself — one of patience, persistence, and pride.
A Sweet Spot Along the Road
If you’re heading past PCC Musuan, keep your eyes peeled.
You’ll find his humble roadside stall there — no neon signs, just the scent of freshly made kalamay and a dreamer making his mark.
And if you’re in Valencia City, you can also grab a jar at Mackie’s Grill and Cafe (Fronting Lumbo Covered Court, Sayre Highway, Purok-2, Lumbo).
You may also message Jeams on his Facebook account. Click here.
The Takeaway? Start Anyway.
This isn’t just a story about kakanin.
It’s about building something from scratch.
About believing in your own flavor — even when no one’s buying it yet.
“You don’t have to be great to start. But you do have to start to be great.”
And sometimes, starting looks like a simple jar of kalamay by the side of the road.
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