When Profession meets Passion

By: Maristelle A. Carreon

Sun-kissed, 5’9”, and a picture of Adonis. But despite his good looks, he lacked the features of an

established professional. You can’t really avoid being judgmental if you see this kind of person. A man

people can easily underrate, a man you don’t expect to be capable of doing something great. But all of

these intuitions were proven wrong as I’ve known the person for quite a while now. Not all things that

can be seen by your naked eyes speak the truth about someone. Like it or not, you are being judged by

how you look, how you dress, and how you carry yourself—and, if you’re lucky, how you do your

job[ CITATION Kii13 \l 1033 ]. Looks can really be deceiving.

Personal Background

Mr. Ivan Padilla Vergara Jr., a man full of dedication to his family and his job. He is the second

child of Mr. Ivan Vergara Sr. and Ms. Grace Padilla of Lam-an, Ozamiz City. A man who is very

competitive in all aspects and grew up having a comfortable life that he gets everything he wants.

Everything changed when he met this beautiful lady during his tertiary years. He thought that those

instances happen only on dramas but lucky as he is he experienced such moment. After how many years

of being together they decided to get married and they had one daughter named Kyla Van Vergara, a 12

year old secondary student. Cliché as it may sound but their marriage didn’t work after several years of

being together. Now, he chose to be single and be focused on things that matters like his daughter,

family and businesses.

Career Background

Many would be tempted not to pursue education if one has everything he wants but not for this

determined and driven man. Mr. Vergara was once an Accountancy student for he thought that it was
all about Mathematics which happened to be his favorite subject, but as he went on the semester he

realized that Accounting isn’t really that easy and so he decided to take another program after that

term. He chose to take Physical Therapy due to peer pressure, he never had an idea to what physical

therapy is all about but as the time passed he started to enjoy the program and became more driven in

finishing his studies. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy in Misamis University in the

year 1999 and passed the Physical and Occupational Therapist Licensure Examination in 2006. Currently,

he is employed as a caregiver instructor at International Health Link Caregiver Training Center. He’s been

working for the organization since he got his license back in 2006. Completing increasingly advanced

levels of education shows that you have a drive and commitment to learn and apply information, ideas,

theories, and formulas to achieve a variety of tasks and goals[ CITATION And16 \l 1033 ].

Different Profitable Venture

When I set out to start a new business, I always make sure it aligns with both my core

competencies and my passions. It starts with learning how to discover your strengths as an

entrepreneur, and it’s how I make sure I’ll be engaged, even when the going gets rough [ CITATION

Rob16 \l 1033 ].

Early 2011, Mr. Vergara and his friends had night out where they jokingly agreed to put up a

business which serves different kinds of drinks since they love to try varieties of drinks. After that, they

tried possible mixtures of liquors that they could provide and eventually took it seriously. And Tanggero

Mobile Bar was established. This was his first venture that started its operations in 2011. It is an on call

mini bar where they offer delicious and well-mixed drinks and customized set-ups for different events.

They cater events like birthdays, weddings, christening and other celebrations. Tanggero Mobile Bar was

founded by Mr. Vergara and his good friend Mr. Joseph Balbona who is a graduate of Hotel and

Restaurant Management in La Salle University - Ozamiz City. Mr. Balbona was the one who leads in

mixing drinks which eventually was learned by Mr. Vergara and there the business started to grow and
be known. But according to him as the business started to grow, they had encountered difficulties but

are just minimal in nature like the scheduling of clients since he is only available after office hours as well

as his co-owner. Company hours should be spent doing your job. Running your side business or startup

should be outside of your regular business hours. Consequently, you must get your business work done

before your job starts or after it finishes[ CITATION Ter14 \l 1033 ]. As an employee, be careful not to do

anything that could affect your full- time job [CITATION Ter16 \l 1033 ]. Mr. Vergara is really hands on

with regard to his businesses.

After how many years of being profitable with Tanggero Mobile Bar, he started his second

business which is a photo and video service with the name Vergara Studio. It was founded by him and

his cousin Mark Vergara early this year. He said that camera was their first love and that taking photos

was their greatest passion since they were kids. Early in his business, they had difficulties in compiling

videos and making it fancier as Mr. Vergara termed it as “pampacute sa video” and it took four hours in

their first try of compiling. But eventually, they learned how to manage it without being pressured by

the time. Their families and friends were the first clients of Vergara Studio until they were known to the

market and started to have clients from different places. Through this business, they were also given the

opportunity to explore what more they can do to enhance their skills. Now, the business starts to bloom

so as the profit they earn.

Purpose Served in Engaging Other Business

Businesses owned by Mr. Vergara were out of his passion. He firstly put up the business for fun,

for him to explore his talents and more likely to earn extra income as well. And also, he wanted to give

his daughter the life she deserves to have and also show her daughter that he is not a man dependent

on his family’s wealth but a father who is willing to take risk, find job and work for every peso he can

earn. But more of the reasons stated, he also wanted to prove himself to people that not everyone born

wealthy can’t do great things.

Other Reservations

After years of being in the business industry, Mr. Vergara considered himself and his businesses

successful for the reason that he was able to explore and enjoy his passion for liquors and photography

and receives payment for it. He’s mindset of being successful doesn’t only focus on having big profit but

also considering the fact that you are enjoying on the business you are engaged in. According to him,

“Money will always follow if you give good service”, and to give good service you must take it seriously

and enjoy yourself as well. What many of us often fail to include in this recipe for success is passion.  The

passion we have, or don't have, for our work should not be underestimated. Sometimes this ingredient

could make the biggest difference of all[ CITATION Alh14 \l 1033 ]. For everyone who aspires to have

their businesses, Mr. Vergara shared that one must start with the business that is engaged to things that

they love to do because this would lessen the pressure as they will be enjoying throughout the business

operation. Never forget that you are in business to make money, but don’t let that be the only reason

you are in business[ CITATION Pur14 \l 1033 ]. Now, he is contented to what he has achieved. He has

house, cars and other material things he wants out from his salary and businesses. And also, he did sent

her daughter to a prestigious school in Ozamiz City. Despite all the negative word that was thrown to

him, still he stood up and continues to prove himself to everyone.

References
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Documentation