Popular merienda store's boss breaks silence on viral 'working lunch' video: 'Maling mali and I'm sorry'
The co-founder of Lola Nena's has broken her silence after drawing mixed reactions with their viral content, where she shared that she and her team discuss their "game plan" during lunch.
"I am so sorry for the day-in-the-life video that I posted with the 'working lunch.' Pinanood ko 'yung video over and over and sobrang nakaka-frustrate," entrepreneur Steffi Santana said in a statement posted on her Instagram page on Saturday, Sept. 14.
"I'm sorry for being so careless and irresponsible with my words and actions. Hindi po ito ang intension ko. Ako po mismo, galit din kapag may unfair o naaargabyado. I'm sorry for posting it without context," she continued.
Santana clarified that the colleagues she was with in the video were "an executive, a department head, and other members of higher management."
"It's rare na sama-sama kami sa office. Lahat kami may big responsibilities, but we also have the privilege of deciding our working hours and when to take our breaks," she explained.
"In our roles, minsan hindi maiwasan na sumasapaw ang meetings into eating time. Kapag nangyayari yun, we make sure that our breaks are still taken, even if they're moved to another part of the day," she added.
Regardless of roles, however, she acknowledged that it's still important to have healthy work-life boundaries.
"Breaks are so important-kailangan natin lahat ng oras mag-unplug, makakain, at magpahinga. We keep on preaching in our trainings that we value love, care, and respect but with the video—I didn't show that. I failed to show that, and I am sorry," Santana said.
Santana emphasized that she understands where the negative remarks are coming from.
"Naiintindihan ko 'yung gigil ninyo. Naiintidihan ko kayo. Tama na merong platform ang lahat na makapag-comment and speak out kapag may mga bagay na hindi dapat. Mali din ako sa pag-post nung day-in-a-life on the Lola Nena's page aside from my page. Maling mali and I am sorry," she wrote.
"In the 12 years of being in business, from having one employee to the exponential growth during the pandemic, isa ito sa pinakamalaking learning ko. Isa pa ito (among many) na patunay na ang dami ko pa talagang need matutunan as a leader and business owner," she highlighted.
Moving forward, she promised to "be more purposeful" with her words and actions and to use her time as a leader to make a positive difference in the workplace.
"To my team, I do not take my responsibility to you lightly. We will make the Lola Nena brand proud. To everyone, maraming salamat po for caring and for being a voice for those who need it. Makaka-asa po kayo that I will always try to do better and try to be the best para kay Lola Nena," she ended.
Now-deleted 'working lunch' TikTok entry
In case you missed it, Santana posted a now-deleted TikTok video that showed her and a couple of other workers discussing their goals and plans for the Filipino merienda brand while they were sharing a meal. This drew the ire of online users, who stressed that working shouldn't be allowed during lunch breaks.
"Lately, na-realize namin that our teams on the ground need more training to be much more successful," Santana said in a voice-over, "and meet the quality that our customers deserve."
The video then shifted to Santana and her staff talking at the table while enjoying carry-out food from a chicken restaurant. "Nandito kami to game plan," Santana continued.
"Siyempre, 'yung lunch, hindi lang 'yan break," the Lola Nena's boss noted. "Isa pa 'yung chance to clarify and remind ourselves, 'Ano ba 'yung main goal natin?' and 'Paano ba natin make-keep 'yung sarili natin accountable to those main goals?'"
Several TikTok users didn't approve of the practice, questioning why the lunch break became an extension of work. Others, however, were more forgiving as they pointed out it could be a way for them to strengthen their ties.