One day, Jessica Maloles was having lunch with her friend at a popular restaurant on Roxas Boulevard when, from across the room, a
gentleman made his way to her table and asked if they could be acquainted. Apparently, the man was smitten, and why not? Jessica looked like the film star, Rita Avila, when she was younger.
Though in recent years, she has defied aging, winning first runner-up at the 2014 Mrs. Asia International beauty pageant in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Back to the gentlemen at the restaurant, Jessica was both surprised and confused. And yet she was also curious.
Introductions were made and they kept in touch, getting to know each other. And in time, he made his honorable intentions known. Drawn by his kindness and refined manners, she accepted his proposal.
Did she have an inkling about how her life would change from that point on? Perhaps not. Nonetheless, her decision ushered in a new world that would be marked with such abundant blessings.
Being the only son of an ambassador and the sole heir when his parents passed away, Jessie’s husband (Octavio “Rico” DeSantos Maloles II) was well able to provide for her and their five children (Eric James, Mark Lawrence, Rico Jessie, Jessie Rico, and Maria Angelica). But the Davao-born lady was not one to sit idly by. She could have, but she preferred not to.
Loftier dreams
Growing up in General Santos City, she was familiar with her grandfather’s fishing boats. Then, while taking up Business Administration at Davao Holy Trinity Academy, Jessie was also a working student. She was employed at a hardware store, where she learned how to run a business from its Chinese owners. And from this experience, her entrepreneurial dreams were born.
In the last two years, Jessie and a business partner established Bless Amare Group of Companies, with enterprises engaged in restaurants and the hospitality industry.
First, there is the flagship Spanish-Filipino restaurant, Bless Las Paellas. With its branches located south of the metro (Taguig, Paranaque, Laguna, and Greenhills). Bless Las Paellas serves Spanish classics like Paella, Gambas, and Lengua, along with Filipino favorites like Crispy Kare-Kare and Pinoy Shortribs Caldereta, in a casual dining atmosphere.
Another restaurant, Bless Okiniiri Japanese Resto, is a Japanese tabehoudai (buffet) located at BF Homes, Paranaque. It offers high quality popular Japanese cuisine, available for both a la carte and buffet servings.
Jessie admits that she really does not know much about running restaurants. She confesses, “Mahilig talaga akong kumain. Wala akong ibang bisyo kundi kain lang. (I really just love to eat. I do not have any other vices, except eating.)” But because her business partner is well acquainted with restaurant operations, she confident she will succeed.
To date, Las Paellas has a total of four branches. A second Okiniiri branch will open in this month.
Hospitality is her business
On the hospitality front, there are two properties: Bless Amare Boutique Hotel in Paranaque and Bless Amare Sunrise Resort in Mindanao.
Bless Amare Boutique Hotel in BF Homes, Paranaque, draws inspiration from the landscape of Santorini, Greece with its blue-and-white-themed accents and Mediterranean architecture. Opened in 2016, the hotel hosts 12 boutique rooms in a plush yet more intimate ambiance. “I was inspired by the scenic landscapes of Greece, and wanted to bring that here for our guests to enjoy,” she says.
Dining at the hotel’s Café Amare is casual and easy; the menu of which is influenced by Mediterranean, Italian, Moroccan, and Filipino cuisine. For special occasions, The Upper Room by Amare is the best spot to celebrate or simply chill out while enjoying the panoramic view of the south.
In Baliangao, Misamis Occidental, Bless Amare Sunrise Resort, on the other hand, is a haven for those who love nature and the beach. Relatively unscathed by commercialism, the resort’s white sands lead to unspoiled waters teeming with marine life like corals and a variety of fish. Picnic huts are available for day trips; guests wishing to extend their stay can avail of affordable accommodations.
By 2018, Jessie plans to open another Amare Boutique Hotel in Abreeza, Davao. Likewise, Bless Amare Sunset resort in Batangas is in the pipeline.
The “blessed” philosophy
When asked why her businesses always carry the word “bless,” Jessie explains, “When you hear the word ‘bless,’ you normally associate it with ‘blessings.’ In Tagalog, pinagpala. And there are no obstacles to a blessing; it is freely given and received.”
This philosophy extends to how she relates with the company’s employees. Seeing how she has recently acquired some of the businesses from their previous owners, Jessie had to implement some changes designed for the greater good. One modification that she values most is the need for spiritual nourishment. Thus, there is a venue for religious services every Tuesday, as well as Mass every first Friday of the month. She encourages employees to reflect on their relationship with God, and to share their insights with management. “God has always been at the center of my life,” shares Jessie. “He is the source of the blessings and the One who provides. In business and in life, He sustains.”
Above and beyond the usual, the company is also aware of its employees’ needs. Jessie knows all too well how costly is. That is why in June, provision is made for enrollment expenses of the company’s employees. There are also bonuses in October, November, and January. “We are not confined to the 13th month pay,” Jessie says proudly. “I believe in the circulation of money. When business performance is good, the profit goes around. We do not keep the entire profit to ourselves. We share it with those who work for us.”
This generosity of heart likewise extends to charitable efforts, such as assisting feeding programs in Mindanao, compassionate giving to the disabled, supporting seminarians, and hosting priests and bishops.
For the lady who seems to have it all, life is something to be truly enjoyed. Work and business, while they require focus and attention, will sort themselves out. Jessie stresses: “When I go into business, I do not think of the immediate return on investment. If that is what is most important, then you cannot focus on growing that business. I am more concerned about how to manage it. If you manage it well, and it develops and flourishes, you will reap the good rewards sooner than you think.”
