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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider This former hotel pastry chef from Biñan is rekindling her love for baking

This former hotel pastry chef from Biñan is rekindling her love for baking

The digital growth story of Cloudberry Bakehouse with GCash for Business

By MBrand
Published Nov 19, 2025 10:51 am  |  Updated Dec 2, 2025 12:15 pm

At A Glance

  • A hospitality industry veteran shares how she started Cloudberry Bakehouse: a fresh start where she could create pastries that truly reflect her style and love for baking.
  • Cloudberry Bakehouse accepts payments through GCash SoundPay, an easy-to-carry device that provides instant confirmation anytime, anywhere.
Innovative, fresh, and exciting – that’s how Filipinos love their everyday staples such as fashion, pop culture, and sometimes with food. This is exactly what Pauline Arcega had in mind when she started Cloudberry Bakehouse: a fresh start where she could create pastries that truly reflect her style and love for baking.
Pauline worked for 14 years in the hospitality industry, in the fast-paced kitchens of Hyatt Hotels, the Ritz Carlton in Dubai and Doha, and Fairmont in Bermuda. After everything that she has experienced, she felt it was time to start anew.
Founded in early 2025, Cloudberry Bakehouse offers cookies, from classic chocolate chip to more creative flavors, such as seasonal Halloween cookies, and celebration cakes that range from simple to fully customizable. Pauline bakes from her home kitchen in Biñan, Laguna, catering to clients who would order for birthday parties and reunions.
“I describe pastry as edible art,” Pauline explains. “Through Cloudberry Bakehouse, I wanted to create something that’s truly mine and showcase my passion for baking.”
At first, Pauline handled orders manually online every day. But her desserts quickly became a hit, and Cloudberry Bakehouse grew in popularity. With Pauline also participating in pop-ups and events, more people discovered her pastries, and orders started piling up.
At the time, she would accept GCash payments directly to her e-wallet, but there would often be delays due to inconsistent data connection. Pauline found that manually checking GCash transactions also became a hassle. “Nag-de-delay siya. So ‘yung mga customers [ay] naiinip or medyo agitated na, na parang, ‘Wala pa ba?’” she shares.
Finding the right ingredients for customer satisfaction
That’s when Pauline started looking for smarter, more seamless ways to handle cashless transactions, something that could save her the daily hassle of bookkeeping and spare her customers the usual delays.
Pauline made the decision to integrate new tech solutions into her business – and that’s how she discovered GCash for Business. “We went to [a] franchise expo to look for suppliers, to look for business ideas in general,” she explains. “Doon ko po nakita yung GCash for Business.”
Today, Cloudberry Bakehouse accepts payments through GCash SoundPay, an easy-to-carry device that provides instant confirmation anytime, anywhere. GCash SoundPay allows customers to make cashless payments by simply scanning the merchant’s GCash QR. Once payments are made, it generates instant audio confirmation.
“I was really impressed with GCash SoundPay,” Pauline shared. “It’s a small compact device with a QR code, so customers will just scan and pay – and instantly the device gives audio confirmation. I don’t need to check my phone or any app anymore. This lessens the delays and positively impacts overall customer experience.”
She continues, “My customers would say, ‘Wow may ganyan pala!’ It’s very convenient, not only for me but for the customers also.”
In the future, Pauline sees a well-paved path for her at Cloudberry Bakehouse. She hopes to be able to be more customer-focused with her business, which includes being less present behind the counter and more present with sharing her love for baking with her customers.
“I think GCash for Business is a partner that’s reliable. It has proven so many times na kaya nilang padaliin ang buhay namin as merchants with their security and convenience,” Pauline shared.
With GCash for Business and GCash SoundPay on the palm of her hand, the future is bright and efficient for Cloudberry Bakehouse.
If you are a business owner and are interested in GCash SoundPay, signing up on the GCash for Business Portal is as easy as 1-2-3!
1. Create an account on the GCash for Business portal. You can get started as a merchant using just your verified GCash account of at least 12 months to qualify for a Starter Plan.
2. Order a GCash SoundPay device.
3. Wait for an email confirmation and the device to be delivered right at your doorstep!
While waiting for the device, a digital QR code will be sent in advance which merchants can already use to accept payments. For more information on how GCash helps empower businesses, visit GCash for Business.

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