When Covid-19 ruined our society, one of the hardest-hit businesses is the events industry. With strict physical distancing being implemented by the government, all big events have been canceled. And there’s not a glimmer of the deadline when everything will get back to normal. We are all left to our own creativity in terms of coping with the crisis. In Bacolod City, one event planner has diversified and channeled her creativity into the art of soap-making. Read her story.
The Party Choice by Ai: On Top of Her Game
In Bacolod City, one of the most sought-after party planners for weddings, birthday parties, and corporate events is The Party Choice by Ai. This business is owned by Bacolod mom Irene Concepcion-Abong, who has been organizing events for many years now.
When the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) because of Covid-19 was declared, the events from March to May 2020 were canceled. And with the standing restrictions against big gatherings to prevent the further spread of the virus—the events industry is now on a standstill.
While it’s true that there are families who are still holding small birthday parties at home for their kids, these are few and far between. There are no longer big projects to keep the business afloat.
Coping with the Covid-19 Crisis with Soap-Making
Mommy Irene is married to Philip Abong, who is into the real estate business. They are blessed with two sons, Johann and Nicholas.
She had been born with a creative feather on her cap, which is the reason why she is into the party planning business. But with the sudden demise of the events industry, she found herself with a lot of idle time on her hands.
Now, the making of premium soaps keep her busy, earns her extra money, and also makes her happy. It is safe to say that coping with the crisis through soap-making has been effective for Mommy Irene.
She calls her new enterprise — All About Soaps.
Soap-making is a Passion Project for this Bacolod Mom
As a busy Bacolod mom and businesswoman, Mommy Irene hardly had time to spend on things that interest her.
She had always liked giving soaps as gifts to her friends and loved ones in the past, so she had been wanting to make them herself. It was just that her busy schedule did not allow her to.
When the ECQ happened, she finally had the time to stay at home and indulge in her passion project. She had the time to strategize and experiment what she could do with soaps.
To arm her with knowledge about proper procedures, storage, and ingredients, Mommy Irene took online classes on soap-making. Yes, her soaps are not just the melt and pour kind—these are backed by science, technique, art, love, and passion.
Premium-Quality Artisanal Soaps from Bacolod
Personally, I also know how to make simple soaps using glycerine and some essential oils by Young Living.
But the soaps I have made in the past do not even come half as close to the products of All About Soaps. So you know and feel that she has added good quality natural ingredients in them.
Shane and I have the habit of smelling soaps before taking a bath. The bar soaps are mildly scented and pleasant to the smell. Since my olfactory sense is sharper than my other senses, I take great pleasure in inhaling scents that stir up a certain memory. I get that from All About Soaps.
Aside from the fragrance, Mommy Irene’s soaps have moisturizers to keep the skin supple. But it is not so overpowering—just enough not to dry the skin. (And I have dry skin). You can feel it even while just touching the soap before you wet it with water. There is a certain suppleness to the touch that you wouldn’t get from just plain glycerine soaps.
They actually remind me of imported artisanal soaps that I have received as gifts in the past. Yes, they can compete with imported ones.
Cleaning Factor of the Soaps
Since we are talking about soaps, it should not just be about fragrance and its moisturizing effects. It should basically clean the body. While my kids are not really very sweaty and grimy, I can get oily after cooking up a storm in the kitchen or muddling with plants in the garden. It is refreshing to use their soaps and feel really clean afterwards. I love the feeling!
In short, All About Soaps is well-balanced in terms of fragrance, moisturizing effect, and cleaning factor. And because of their good quality natural ingredients, the soaps are safe and gentle for children. The girls and I use them and love them. Plus, the kids really enjoy the different designs.
All About Soaps are so cute!
Customized Soaps for Special Occasions
Mommy Irene has a collection of standard designs and scents that are constantly available. She sells them online and also in bazaars. She has a booth at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central events center.
Additionally, she can make customized soaps, based on the design, color, and scent combinations that a client wants. She has so many soap ideas! But a client can also search the internet for a design inspiration that Mommy Irene can work on.
All About Soaps is also very concerned with packaging and presentation. Mommy Irene has customized soap gift boxes that can be a set of soaps or a combination of soaps and bath sponges or loofah. It’s a complete bath experience.
Moreover, she can customize the labels based on what the client wants.
Giveaways and Party Packages
Since there are still clients who hire Mommy Irene to handle the decors as well as party favors for their small events, she incorporates the soaps into the giveaways.
And the clients are very happy with how the party favors have been elevated with soaps.
This is part of coping with the crisis and trying to keep the business afloat even with little projects.
All About Soaps Contact Details
Soaps at priced at P100 to P140 a piece. Meanwhile, gift boxes range from P200 to P740, depending on the components. These are very reasonable for these small-batch soaps. And also, they are trying to cope with the crisis. For inquiries and orders, contact:
Irene Concepcion-Abong
All About Soaps – Bacolod
FB Page: AllAboutSoaps2020
Mobile No.: (0917) 300 5476
Other Stories of Resilient Pinay Moms
Meanwhile, you might be interested about stories of other resilient Pinay moms that I have featured in this blog.
- Mom Helps Battle Hubby’s Liver Cirrhosis During Covid-19 ECQ
- Bacolod Mompreneurs Distribute the M2 Health Drink in NIR
- Mommy Power: The House that Barter Built
- How a Bacolod Mom Changed the Philippines with Barter
- Mommy Cleth and her Homemade Kare-Kare with Love
Ang galing talaga ng mga Pilipino..Kahit anong pagsubok ang pagdaanan natin..Gagawa at gagawa tayo ng Paraan para Mabuhay at umunlad..Nailalabas pa natin ang talento na meron tayo