Kape Bukel, which means “seed” in Ilokano, began as a small-scale roasting business along Marilaque Highway in Tanay, Rizal, in 2020. Paula and co-founder Florence tapped into Filipinos’ renewed interest in slow cooking and traditional practices during the pandemic.
As demand for its kawa-roasted coffee grew, the venture expanded into a microenterprise serving local markets. Kape Bukel started to source beans from smallholder farmers across the country, even as far as Tawi-Tawi.
The beans are then ground and brewed in a takure, or kettle. Paula said the kawa-roasting process gives the coffee a distinct smoky flavor.
Kape Bukel now operates a small coffee farm with more than 30 coffee seedlings. Visitors can learn how coffee is produced, from picking and drying the beans to roasting them.
The business also conducts a coffee training camp with support from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Department of Agriculture. It has now trained 3,000 individuals composed of farmers, coffee enthusiasts and café owners nationwide.
To showcase Kape Bukel’s traditional coffee-making process, Paula often joins local trade expos and coffee fairs, including the BIYAYA: Sustainable Living Festival 2026. The event brought together sustainability advocates, local businesses, entrepreneurs, social enterprises and purpose-driven organizations to promote conscious living and community-led development.
Matienzo’s experience reflects the journey of many Filipino entrepreneurs. Passion may help turn an idea into a business, but access to credit provides the capital needed to sustain and expand it.
Financial inclusion also allows entrepreneurs to use digital tools that can improve transactions and connect them with more customers.This is particularly important for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). They account for 99.5 percent of registered businesses in the Philippines and generate 67 percent of total employment.
Expanding financial inclusion
Palawan Group of Companies recognizes the vital role of MSMEs in supporting local economic growth and creating sustainable livelihoods. Through PalawanPay’s digital ecosystem, entrepreneurs can manage transactions more efficiently and offer customers convenient payment options.
PalawanPay recently participated in the BIYAYA Festival as its official e-wallet partner. It facilitated digital payments among attendees, exhibitors and participating businesses.
“At Palawan Group, we believe that meaningful progress happens when Filipinos have greater access to tools and opportunities that allow them to participate and grow,” vice chair and chief financial officer of Palawan Group Lilian Castro-Selda said during the launch.
“Our partnership with BIYAYA reflects the importance of collaboration in creating more connected communities, while digital solutions like PalawanPay help individuals and businesses embrace more convenient and inclusive ways of transacting,” Selda added.
Selda also highlighted the growing importance of digital transactions as consumer behavior evolves. She said MSMEs must be able to adapt to these shifts. Through PalawanPay, Palawan Group aims to create more opportunities for businesses and consumers to connect.
Wider access to credit and payments
Palawan Group also continues to empower MSMEs, sellers and vendors by providing accessible financial solutions that help them grow their businesses.
Through affordable loan packages, entrepreneurs can access additional capital to purchase inventory and support daily operations, complemented by Palawan Credit's lending solutions.
Selda said Palawan Group combines its extensive branch network with digital services to help more entrepreneurs participate and thrive in the digital economy.
She added that PalawanPay offers MSMEs a merchant discount rate of less than 1 percent. It also provides support through Palawan Group's nationwide network of more than 3,800 branches, where entrepreneurs can easily seek assistance with payment terminals.
With more than 23 million users, PalawanPay also offers free cash-ins at Palawan Group branches and charges an InstaPay transfer fee of just P5.
Connecting physical and digital services
Meanwhile, Palawan Express Pera Padala branches provide convenient channels for paying suppliers and accessing cash for inventory purchases, complementing the digital payment capabilities of PalawanPay.
For entrepreneurs seeking additional capital, Palawan Pawnshop serves as a reliable financing partner by allowing them to leverage their gold and jewelry assets to raise funds for reinvestment in their businesses. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
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