During the 1980s, a flour shortage occurred, hence flour rationing was inevitable. This prompted Mrs. Chua to join the Bacolod Negros Occidental Baker’s Association (BACNOBA) so she can continue to procure flour for her business. Through BACNOBA, she benefited from their training, particularly on basic bakery operation such as baker’s percentage and further enhanced her knowledge on baking.
In 1988, she joined as a founding member of the Association of Negros Producers (ANP). It proved to be a catalyst for her business by exposing her to workshop seminars, trade fair and selling missions in Metro Manila. Slowly, she started to create a name for herself in Bacolod and Manila markets.
Over the years, Virgie’s is a recipient of various assistance from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). These ranged from product development, participation in technical trainings and managerial seminars, local study and selling missions and DTI-approved trade fairs. DTI’s Product Development and Design Center helped Virgie’s develop a family look label for its product lines. It also assisted her to participate on regular National Trade Fair (NTF) and International Food Exposition (IFEX) in Manila where she can meet bigger opportunities. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) assisted her on food shelf life and nutritional value analysis for her products.
By 2002, Virgie’s commitment to quality products, fair employment practice, sound business management and God’s divine providence paved the way for the next chapter of her success. Her dream of starting a small store was blessed with a bigger one. Her humble store, less than 9 square meter in size, was now blessed with a three storey building. It now houses her showroom store at ground level with 2 commercial spaces for lease, and the second and third storey dedicated for her workshop/production area.
More than 30 years later, Virgie’s is known as a quality homemade food business. Locals and foreigners alike patronize and drop by her store to enjoy products with homemade goodness---a Virgie’s trademark.