From rock bottom to rooted success
MISAMIS ORIENTAL—They faced failed ventures, financial loss and fading hope. But instead of giving up, Noel and Myrna Hilario planted the seeds of something bigger: Storehouse Food Products Inc., a business now uplifting farmers, nourishing families and inspiring entrepreneurs everywhere.
Based in the municipality of Opol, Storehouse Food’s journey was not paved with a perfect business plan or instant success; it began with struggle.
For Noel and Myrna, returning home to the Philippines after years of working abroad in Brunei meant chasing one uncertain business venture after another. In 2012, they opened a small bakeshop in Cagayan de Oro City, only to watch it falter. They then ventured into farming, but their crops failed. A food station followed, but it did not take off either.
“We were exhausted,” Myrna recalls. “Our savings were gone. We had to sell property just to survive. It felt like we were losing everything.”
However, out of this season of loss came clarity. In 2017, they discovered a deeper purpose: helping tribal farmers in the hinterlands of Dansolihon, Cagayan de Oro.
These farmers grew taro (lutya) but earned very little from it. Myrna and Noel saw potential in that humble root crop. They decided to buy it at fair prices and turn it into something more.
From that vision came Lutyako Taro Chips, a healthy and proudly Filipino snack that would become Storehouse’s flagship product.
Their first launch at a local bazaar was modest but it marked the beginning of a new chapter.
Growing its market
Later that year, a conversation with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) opened doors to broader markets and invaluable support.
“DTI became the game-changer,” says Noel. “We didn’t just gain access to training—we gained hope.”
Through the DTI Misamis Oriental, Storehouse received mentorship, product development assistance and exposure at One Town, One Product hubs and pasalubong centers, including the one at Laguindingan Airport.
They slowly expanded their product line to include cassava, banana and garlic chips, as well as garlic chili oil, fresh fruit tarts and the Pru-Lay Calamansi Concentrate.
Of course, they knew that scaling a food business meant more than just variety; it also entailed investing in quality.
Through the Small Business Corp., they secured a loan to upgrade their facility to meet Food and Drug Administration standards.
“Those upgrades were critical,” Myrna says. “They allowed us to grow without compromising quality.”
Digital age
Still, the digital age posed new challenges. “We were intimidated by online marketing,” Myrna admits.
But through the DTI’s E-Taas Ang Pinay Program 2024, Myrna learned how to bring their story and products into the digital space.
“E-Taas helped us see the value in storytelling,” she says. “People connected with our mission. Our online presence began to grow, and orders started coming in from all over—from Manila, Davao, Iligan, even OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) abroad.”
In 2025, Myrna enrolled in the DTI’s Kapatid Mentor ME (KMME) Program to strengthen her leadership and build new networks.
“I met fellow entrepreneurs who are now helping distribute our products. It’s a beautiful community of support.”
Today, Storehouse Food Products supplies 11 outlets across Cagayan de Oro and continues to grow as a trusted source of nutritious snacks and heart-driven entrepreneurship. Their children—one now a licensed chemist and another studying aviation—are part of the legacy they have built through grit and grace.
Vision for the future
Their dreams continue. Noel and Myrna aim to launch a one-stop pasalubong center, expand their facility and someday enter the international markets.
For the couple though, success is not merely gauged by numbers; it is measured by impact.
“Every chip we sell is a win for our partner farmers. Every new outlet is a step closer to our dream,” Myrna says. “This business is more than just livelihood—it’s purpose.”
