MANILA -- This beauty queen maker and makeup artist is using his passion for food and cooking to face the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 crisis.

Gio Flores, one of the pioneers of the local pageant camp Kagandahang Flores (KF), recently started a namesake longganisa business as his sources of livelihood dry up amid the pandemic.

What was supposed to be a "breakthrough year" for KF turned into a time of fear and loss. Flores was worried not only about his future, but also of his staff and their respective families.

"No one was spared. I have lost work and all projects such as weddings, shoots, and pageants were cancelled. Kagandahang Flores and the pageant aspirants under our auspice weren't spared as well since most local pageants have postponed their activities," he said in an interview with ABS-CBN News.

"This pandemic has certainly affected me, mentally, emotionally, and financially. But the fighter in me said, 'I had to stand my ground,'" he added.

Flores has always loved food, coming from a family "that cooks really well." He learned a lot from his mother, who studied in Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, as well as from his travels.

At a young age, Flores was able to make local desserts like leche flan, biko, and puto, and helped prepare food in their town's annual fiesta.

As he made his own meals during the quarantine to save money, Gio's Longganisa was born.

"One morning, I woke up full of optimism. I had my home-cooked longganisa for breakfast," he recalled. "I instantly thought of making more longganisas and have my friends try it."

"The next day, 12th of May, I ordered 20 kilos of raw materials online, which was quite overwhelming, and started making the first batch of Gio's Premium Savoury Garlic Longganisa," he continued, proudly saying that his products use "prime quality or Triple A pork" and have no extenders or preservatives.

In putting up his business, Flores was also able to use his other skills such as restaurant management.

Before taking makeup courses in the United States, he worked at a fast food giant for eight years as a service quality restaurant manager, marketing manager, and regional line trainer.

"I made sure that cleanliness and sanitation is observed and implemented at all times in our workplace," he said.

A pack of Gio's Longganisa has 14 to 18 big pieces -- or around a kilo -- and costs P390. The local sausages promise to offer "a garlicky, spicy, tangy, and salty taste with a distinct aroma," and can be enjoyed either with rice or added as an ingredient for other dishes.

Flores was happy to report that his business has been doing well, hoping that sales will remain high as the pandemic continues.

"Brand sales have soared to over 100 kilos daily after the first week! I could not thank everyone enough for their invaluable support. It's just a small, humble business but it is made of dreams and passion that keep all of us going," he said.

Following the success of his business, Flores hopes to pay it forward by putting up a "test kitchen" to "encourage people like me to road test their food businesses with very minimal investment."

He said the planned facility will have a complete kitchen and a dining area, allowing small entrepreneurs to "have a feel of the market."

"This opportunity allows people to start running small businesses and try the market without compromising their finances, given the tough times that we are into," he explained. "Everything basic is included in the rent, which can be weekly and monthly depending on how long one wishes to test the market to make a business decision on how to proceed."

Flores went on: "This business has been kind to me as it has saved me by providing for my needs during the most difficult time of my life. It has also offered a decent source of income for my team and their families. I do not imagine it to change once everything has gone back to normal."

'HOLD ON TO YOUR DREAM'

As for the beauty queens under KF, Flores said they have developed "action plans" to address their needs, particularly through online training classes.

He said they continue to make their services available as there are pageants such as Miss Philippines Earth that have mounted virtual competitions this year.

His cousin and KF co-founder, Rodgil, has been directing virtual pageants.

"We at KF will be responsive to the times... We will continue with our main objective which is to be able to mold and train girls to become national and international beauty queens... We are embracing the new norm, we are currently developing online modules, and we are doing online training with our girls for Bb. Pilipinas and Miss Philippines Earth," he said.

"Our camp is a quite a large facility so face-to-face training is still possible, but we will be observing strict quarantine and health protocols," he added.

When asked to give a message to beauty pageant contestants as the COVID-19 crisis continues, Flores replied: "Hold on to your dream of becoming a beauty queen. The pandemic is just a temporary setback. Use this time to broaden your knowledge... and never lose focus on what you really want to be."