by Cassandra Stacey S. Tupag & Elma Leanne M. Castillano | Dec 16 2025
What began as an academic requirement has grown into a thriving entrepreneurial venture. Marigold A. Alvarez, a graduate of the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management (DHTM), transformed her academic outputs into reality when she launched Golden Munch in 2021—shortly after completing her degree. Today, Golden Munch has established two branches in Tangub City, standing as proof that a well-developed academic concept can evolve into a successful business.
Golden Munch traces its origins directly to Marigold’s academic journey. The brand was first conceptualized as her marketing plan for HTM 105 – Marketing in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry, where she developed a full business blueprint: identifying its target market, crafting its branding, determining its market position, and mapping out promotional strategies. This academic output eventually became the foundation of the actual enterprise she launched two years later.
Her passion for food and hospitality was further strengthened in HTM 107 – Entrepreneurship in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry, where she created another product concept titled “Baked My Day.” Through this course, she gained deeper knowledge about feasibility studies, operational planning, and financial management—core components that helped her sustain Golden Munch beyond its initial launch.
Marigold also devoted her HTM 197 Practicum to developing and refining her business idea. Since their practicum at that time was conducted online due to the pandemic, she maximized the flexibility of the setup by dedicating her hours to improving her business concept, conducting market research, and exploring practical applications of her academic plans. This allowed her to transition Golden Munch from a purely academic proposal into a feasible, well-thought-out business model ready for real-world execution.
Further aligning her academic work with her entrepreneurial goals, Marigold completed her undergraduate thesis titled “An Assessment on Coffee Shops in Iligan City: A Basis for Food Safety Standards and New Normal Regulations.” This research deepened her knowledge of food safety practices, sanitation protocols, and operational adjustments in the new normal. These insights directly influence the way she manages Golden Munch today, ensuring her branches consistently uphold quality, safety, compliance, and customer-centered service. Beyond the classroom, Marigold proved her ability to excel in the entrepreneurial field.
She ranked Top 1 in the Department of Trade and Industry’s Mentor Me program, organized in partnership with the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship. This recognition affirmed her potential as a young business leader and provided her with mentorship, expert guidance, and valuable insights that continue to shape her operations.
By strategically connecting her HTM 105 marketing plan, HTM 107 entrepreneurship project, HTM 197 practicum experience, and thesis, Marigold built a strong academic and professional foundation that seamlessly translated into real-world success. Golden Munch now stands as a culmination of these academic endeavors transformed from paper into a profitable, growing enterprise.
Today, while managing two Golden Munch branches in Tangub City, Marigold is also pursuing law school. Balancing business operations and legal studies, she continues to equip herself with knowledge that strengthens her role as an entrepreneur, particularly in areas such as contracts, business regulations, and legal compliance.
Marigold’s story demonstrates how academic requirements can evolve into business plans, brands, and livelihoods. Golden Munch is a testament to what can happen when passion, education, mentorship, and determination come together—a simple marketing plan from HTM 105 has become a golden opportunity that continues to grow, inspire, and uplift.