Coca-Cola Philippines’ iSTAR Program Powers Family-Owned Carinderia’s Rise in Cebu

Coca-Cola Philippines continues to support Filipino micro-entrepreneurs through its entrepreneurship training programs, helping small businesses gain the right tools, knowledge, and confidence to grow and sustain their livelihoods. 

Among the inspiring stories is that of Juniel and Salome Lucero, a couple from Pinamungahan, Cebu who turned a small food venture into a sustainable family enterprise. Their business journey — guided by passion, persistence, and the right training provided by the iSTAR (Innovative Sari-Sari Store Training and Access to Resource) Program, a joint initiative of Coca-Cola Philippines and TESDA, where they gained essential skills in financial literacy, inventory management, and basic operations. 

Juniel and Salome Lucero of Nicolai’s Cuisine transformed their home-based food business into a thriving family enterprise with the help of Coca-Cola’s iSTAR Program. 

Coca-Cola Philippines and Partners Help Empower 2,000 Women Entrepreneurs Through iSTAR Program

The Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation (NWTF), a long-time partner of Coca-Cola Philippines, hosted the first-ever Hybrid Mass Graduation Ceremony for the iSTAR Program in Bacolod, Negros Occidental on February 1, 2025. This milestone aligns with Coca-Cola Philippines’ commitment to economic empowerment, particularly for women in grassroots communities.

The graduation ceremony brought together 2,000 graduates who joined in person or virtually, and reinforced the program’s role in uplifting women entrepreneurs nationwide.

This marked a major achievement for the iSTAR Program in Western Visayas, particularly in Region VI, highlighting its role in equipping entrepreneurs with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to build and sustain their businesses.

Coca-Cola PH empowers entrepreneurs through public-private partnerships and digital innovation

Two programs supported by Coca-Cola Philippines focused on women's economic empowerment were showcased at the 68th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UN CSW) taking place from March 11 to 22 at the UN Headquarters in New York. These initiatives highlight Coca-Cola's commitment to supporting women and providing access to important business skills and capital, and building collaborative networks. 

The digital Sari-Sari Store Training and Access to Resources (iSTAR) program, in the Philippines, in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and six reputable civil society organizations; and the Tindahan Extra Mile program (TEM): Balik PET Bottle Program, in collaboration with Basic Environmental Systems and Technologies, Inc. (BEST) and the Philippine Association of Stores and Carinderia Owners (PASCO), exemplify successful partnerships leveraging technology to drive women economic empowerment.