17/05/2026
Long post bec. Millennial 😅
-An insight of a pop up first timer- Klasik Catering
With barely two days to prepare for our very first pop-up, we said yes to an opportunity that arrived unexpectedly. A baker friend reached out saying they needed someone selling savory meals since almost everyone else was offering sweets and drinks. Without overthinking, we took the risk.
And honestly? We entered a world we never fully understood until we experienced it ourselves.
If you own a restaurant or café and keep asking where the crowd has gone, maybe this is the answer … Cebuanos are no longer staying in just one place. They are everywhere. Roaming flea markets, chasing new finds, supporting small brands, and turning these spaces into a culture of their own.
Behind every “aesthetic booth” is exhaustion people never see. We watched business owners carry tables, displays, supplies, and pieces of their dreams under the scorching heat. Kami mismo, na-shock. Sweat dripping, bodies tired, almost getting sick from the sun . This industry humbles you fast. Bawal ang arte diri. You show up, or you get left behind.
But somewhere between the chaos, the heat, and the slow hours, we witnessed something beautiful: strangers supporting strangers. Locals supporting locals. Parents proudly supporting their children’s businesses. We were honestly amazed seeing students and Gen Z entrepreneurs already finding their way into business and side hustles at such a young age. Grabe ka maayo mo-market, mo-branding, and mo-create ug identity. Promise, lahi jud ilang generation. They know how to turn passion into something people actually remember.
There are high sales days and there are painfully slow ones. Location matters. Timing matters. Luck matters. But beyond the numbers, this experience gave us something far more valuable - CLARITY.
We learned what works for Klasik Catering. We learned what people came back for. We learned what needs improvement. And more than anything, we found a community that understands the struggle behind every small business setup. The silent pressure, the preparation, the risk, and the hope that people will stop by your booth and believe in what you made.
Last but definitely not the least, we want to thank Samantha and Venn , our tent mates who made the whole experience lighter, warmer, and memorable despite the chaos and exhaustion.
And of course, thank you to Papi and Friends Flea Market for giving small businesses like ours the space, opportunity, and experience to be part of something bigger. Congratulations on your 2nd Anniversary!
To our Klasik Catering team, families and friends who took the time to visit, support, buy, repost, encourage, and simply show up for us , sa mga ni chat - moral support… Daghang salamat gyud. In moments where we were tired and unsure, your presence reminded us why support will always mean more than numbers.
Will we join another pop-up again?
Maybe. Maybe not.
But one thing’s for sure …our chicken skin will be back. Better. Louder. Crispier. And more ready for Cebuano cravings than ever before. By the way, our meals got sold out in our 3rd day! 😉🫶
🙏
