What began as a simple desire to enjoy good coffee turned into a thriving local hub for students, freelancers, and neighborhood regulars. At the heart of it is Christine Sibal, co-founder of 153 Coffee Co., whose story highlights the growing importance of digital infrastructure and community-driven enterprise in empowering local businesses.
Nearly two years since opening a modest café in Barreto, Sibal has grown 153 Coffee Co. from serving a handful of cups each day to over a hundred daily transactions. The café, known for its sea salt lattes and cozy, work-friendly ambiance, now doubles as a productive workspace for many, thanks in large part to its fast and stable internet—courtesy of fiber broadband provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc.
“Even before we opened the café, we were already using Converge at home. So when we started the business, it just made sense to use something we already trusted,” said Sibal, who now manages both her café and her grilled chicken outlet, Muy Bien Ihaw-Ihaw, with the help of Converge’s flexiBiz plans.
The business-class internet service has proven essential not just for customer satisfaction—offering free high-speed Wi-Fi to patrons—but also for backend operations like POS, CCTV monitoring, and remote business management. “I can check sales even when I’m not at the shop,” she explained, underlining how connectivity is no longer a luxury but a necessity for modern small enterprises.
Sibal’s story doesn’t end with coffee. Her second business, Muy Bien Ihaw-Ihaw, is rooted in a church-based livelihood initiative started two decades ago. What began as a community project to provide income opportunities for church members has now grown into a 40-outlet operation across provinces. Her Barreto outlet pioneers a more dine-in–oriented model, echoing the personalized customer experience that defines her café.
The success of both ventures showcases how digital tools can amplify community-based entrepreneurship. As more small enterprises adapt to digitalization, the role of service providers like Converge extends beyond connectivity—it becomes a catalyst for inclusive economic growth.
Christine’s experience underscores the importance of equitable access to digital infrastructure in supporting MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises). With over 99 percent of businesses in the Philippines classified as MSMEs, according to the Department of Trade and Industry, bolstering digital access directly impacts national economic resilience and local job creation.
Public-private partnerships that ensure stable broadband connectivity in underserved areas can help replicate Christine’s model nationwide. By investing in small-scale enterprises and equipping them with reliable tech tools, both government and corporations can create ripple effects that stimulate entrepreneurship, encourage innovation, and enhance regional development.
As Christine puts it, “Whatever you believe in, go for it… If your heart is into it, that will succeed.” Her journey proves that with the right mix of passion, purpose, and digital support, small ideas can become sustainable engines of growth.
