Gerwin finds meaningful life in 'Sawsaw'

Gerwin Yudelmo: 'Don't despair---things will improve.'

A meal is not complete without a delicious dip.  

That is what Gerwin Yudelmo, a former call center agent in Cebu City, thought to venture while he quarantined for more than a month.

The dip--Sawsaw Bojol Sukang Binaryo-- is now a well-loved blended spiced coconut sap vinegar. 

Gerwin, 30, said his dip is simple. The vinegar dipping sauce is made from a vinegar of organic coconut fragmented sap also known as “tuba” blended with garlic, ginger, chilli and other spices.

He said once the ingredients have been selected and chopped,  the next step is to mix them all together with vinegar. 

"Combine ingredients vigorously. It will be stored or fermented for two months," he said. 

But behind the delicious sauce is the  life story of Gerwin who lost his job in Cebu City due to the pandemic. 

He also founded the #ProjectHope with other volunteers to help fellow locally stranded individuals or LSIs in Cebu City .

He went home to Inabanga to rest and take new adventure in life.

"Sawsaw Bojol Sukang Binaryo" (Spiced Vinegar) is a perfect dipping sauce for grilled, fried and dried meats. Photo: Leo Udtohan

"At the quarantine facility, I thought of starting a business. But the big question is what business should I do? While we were eating with my colleagues there, I thought that the sauce is a big thing to make the food delicious," said Gerwin. 

The municipal government provided food for locals stranded at the quarantine facility. 

"So to make our food more satisfying, we put some sauce on it. So, I suddenly thought that the sauce would be my business after the quarantine was over," he added. 

His new business also helps farmer Rodel Punay, a tuba gatherer, who is also affected by the pandemic. 

"I lost my income because no one is buying  my tuba. I thank Sir Gerwin who buys my vinegar. Now, I can buy food for my family," Rodel said. 

Gerwin's "Sawsaw" became a hit in Inabanga, some parts of Bohol and Cebu.

It is a perfect dipping sauce for grilled, fried and dried meats. 

"The Sawsaw has become part of our meals everyday. It's our new favorite with my barkada and my family," said Simon Lastimoso. 

He said "Sawsaw" is really different from spiced vinegar. 

"It has the right flavor, right 'spiciness' , right 'sourness' , right 'sweetness' . It's just right," said Lastimoso. 

Simon Lastimoso says "Sawsaw Bojol Sukang Binaryo" has the right flavor and blend. Photo: Leo Udtohan

And for every purchase of "Sawsaw,"  one peso will go to #ProjectHope to help LSIs in Cebu and other parts of the Philippines.

Although Gerwin takes a different road in life, far from his job, Gerwin enjoys what he is doing right now.

What lessons he learned from this pandemic? 

 "First, don't despair---things will improve. Someone will always help us. I have witnessed it not only for myself but to all the Boholanos who have been stranded in Cebu. Second, we need to save something from our salary because we do not know what tomorrow brings," advised Gerwin. 

We rise by lifting each other.

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