Chapter 1
Chapter 1
In one sentence, what problem does your company solve and why did Cebu need it?
"ASV Business Solution created an All-in-One Business Platform that automates and digitizes business operation, because many SME's in Cebu have the ambition to scale but lack access to the right digital tools.
ASV Business Solution built Cirquolus to help entrepreneurs succeed by giving them the tools to manage their people, finances, operations, and customers- because many businesses don't fail from lack of effort, they fail from lack of systems."
Take us back to the beginning: what was the moment you decided to build this?
The reason I started this journey was personal.
At thirty-three years old, with three children, I wanted to change our family's future. I was looking for freedom, stability, and the opportunity to create something of my own. My husband and I shared the same determination to improve our lives, and that became the foundation of our entrepreneurial journey.
But as we worked with more businesses, we discovered a bigger problem.
Many entrepreneurs don't fail because they lack passion, talent, or hard work. They fail because running a business requires balancing many moving parts.
Some are excellent at operations but struggle with employee management. Others are great leaders but lack financial visibility. Some have strong products but struggle with inventory, customer relationships, or decision-making.
The reality is that most business owners are forced to wear multiple hats every day, often without the tools or systems to help them succeed.
That's why we created Cirquolus.
We wanted to build a platform that serves as a guide for entrepreneurs-a system that helps them manage employees, inventory, finances, and customer relationships in one place. Our goal is not just to automate processes but to help business owners understand their business better, make informed decisions, and accelerate growth.
In many ways, Cirquolus was built because we believe entrepreneurs deserve a better chance at success.
On Building in Cebu
On Building in Cebu
How has being based in Cebu shaped your product, your market, and your team?
"Cebuanos are smart business people. They won't buy something just because it's new or innovative. They want proof that it works. That forced us to become better builders. We learned to focus less on features and more on solving real problems and delivering measurable results. I believe that's one of the reasons we've been able to grow."
What does Cebu offer that Manila or other tech hubs don't-and what's still missing?
What made me fall in love with Cebu is that it offers something very unique.
First, it's the place itself. Only in Cebu can you experience the ocean, the mountains, and a thriving city all at the same time. That balance creates an environment where people can dream big while staying connected to nature, family, and community.
Second, it's the people. Cebuanos are hardworking, entrepreneurial, and resilient. We all hustle every day to build better lives for ourselves and our families. But what I admire most is that when adversity strikes, we rise as a community.
We've seen that during the earthquake. We've seen it during Typhoon Odette. In moments when people lost homes, businesses, and livelihoods, Cebuanos came together to help one another rebuild. That spirit of resilience and bayanihan is something that continues to inspire me as an entrepreneur.
And third, it's the culture. When people think about Cebu, they often think about lechon, puso, or siomai sa Tisa. But for me, the heart of Cebu is its faith. Whether you're selling banana cue on the sidewalk or running a multi-million peso company, you'll see people making time to honor the Santo Niño. That shared faith creates humility, gratitude, and hope-values that continue to shape the way we live and do business.
What is still missing? I believe we need stronger access to startup capital, mentorship, and growth opportunities for founders in the Visayas. We already have the talent, the resilience, and the ideas. What we need is more support to help local innovations scale beyond Cebu and into the national and global stage.