DIRTY ICE CREAM – An entrepreneur urged the people that the ‘dirty ice cream’ moniker should be dropped.

When Filipino ice cream comes to mind, one typically thinks of “dirty ice cream,” the sorbetes or native ice cream sold on the streets from vibrant carts. This description holds true in every detail except for its notorious label.

For Marlon Canaway, the negative connotation associated with the term should be discarded. He said their ice cream is actually very clean.

Canaway said, “Yung ating ice cream ay napakalinis naman talaga. Kasi tinitiyak natin ang kalinisan, kasi unang-una, ang kumakain po niyan ay mga anak ko, pamilya ko at publiko. At saka siyempre ayaw naman din natin gumawa ng hindi malinis kasi kapag nagkaroon ng problema sa labas, e tayo rin ang mamo-mroblema diyan, tayo rin ang sasagot, tayo rin ang masisira sa tao. Kaya dapat ang ating pagkain ay malinis talaga.”

The 50-year-old proprietor of Six Angels Ice Cream Shop in Mandaluyong City has overcome numerous challenges before achieving success.

Originally from Masbate province and later an overseas Filipino worker (OFW), Canaway initiated his backyard traditional ice cream manufacturing venture, which has now evolved into a well-known brand in Mandaluyong and San Juan.

Canaway recounted, “Ang simula ko sa ice cream, simula sa probinsya. Siyempre dala ng kahirapan napadpad ako ng Maynila, tapos may nakilala akong nagtitinda ng ice cream. Nagtinda po ako ng ice cream, hanggang sa natutunan ko ang paraan ng paggawa, paano gawin itong ice cream.”

“Tapos habang nag-aaral ako, inalam ko talaga itong paggawa ng ice cream kasi sabi ko may potensyal ako dito, balang araw sana magkaroon ako ng ganito. Kaya nung nakapag-aral ako, nag-abroad ako, pagkagaling kong abroad, nagtayo ako ng maliit na ice-creaman. Hanggang sa umabot ng ganito,” he added.

The inspiration behind the ice cream shop stems from Canaway’s six children, hence the name Six Angels. Presently, he operates 14 carts that traverse the streets from his shop in Mandaluyong.

Amidst the escalating summer temperatures in the country, Canaway believes that his ice cream business not only sustains his family but also brings relief to the community.

“Sa sobrang init ng panahon ngayon, kapag kumain ka ng ice cream, kahit papaano, yung katawan mo mapapasukan ng malamig kaya nakakabawas talaga ng init sa panahon natin ngayon,” said Canaway.

He also imparts some of his business insights to aspiring entrepreneurs planning to venture into the ice cream-making industry. He emphasized that while the process of making ice cream is straightforward, the real secret lies in ensuring the happiness of everyone involved, from production to sales.

“Sa ngayon, mataas ang kita ng negosyo kasi mainit talaga kaya kumikita kami, kumikita ang mga sorbetero ko. Lahat kami masaya,” Canaway exclaimed.

While maximizing profits during the hot weather, Canaway ensures the safety of his vendors by providing them with umbrellas for protection against the scorching heat.

“Tinitiyak natin ang kaligtasan ng ating mga sorbetero na naglalako sa kalsada lalo ngayon na napakainit ng panahon ngayon. Kaya mayroon silang mga payong para kahit papaano may proteksyon sila sa init.”

From being dubbed “dirty ice cream” to becoming a source of livelihood for many, Canaway believes that nothing tastes sweeter than the flavor of success, much like his ice cream.

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