Poppet Celdran, founder of SariKo, states that every transaction on the platform is an act of cultural preservation. The marketplace aims to connect Filipino sellers and buyers in Ho Chi Minh City, addressing the lack of a structured platform for the diaspora.
Fifteen Years of Dedication
Teresa Cantuba has been serving the Filipino community in Ho Chi Minh City for over 15 years. Despite her unwavering passion and consistent effort, her business saw minimal growth due to the absence of a platform to connect her with potential customers. Many Filipinos living nearby were unaware of her existence. This gap inspired Celdran to create a solution.
The Birth of SariKo
Celdran, a serial entrepreneur from Cebu, observed the fragmented informal economy among the Filipino diaspora. Sellers had what buyers needed, but no structured marketplace existed to facilitate transactions, payments, delivery, or time management. He launched SariKo on April 18, 2026, as a culturally trusted marketplace for Filipinos in Ho Chi Minh City. Within weeks, 19 sellers joined without any paid marketing.
The full commercial launch is scheduled for June 21, 2026, coinciding with the 128th Philippine Independence Day celebration in Ho Chi Minh City, in partnership with SAPI (Samahan ng mga Pilipino), which serves about 15,000 Filipinos in the city.
Features and Impact
SariKo, named after the Filipino neighborhood store "sari sari," integrates payments, buyer-seller chat, and delivery. This allows sellers like Teresa to focus on production rather than logistics. Celdran emphasizes that each transaction preserves Filipino culture, as buying traditional products like longganisa keeps heritage alive.
Founder Background
Celdran began his career as a journalist for SunStar in Cebu and is a three-time founder. He is an alumnus of Antler Vietnam, Bridge for Billions, and Founder Institute Vietnam 2025. His previous startup, Zen Wellness, was named a Top 50 startup at Vietnam's Startup Wheel in 2022.
Advisory Board
SariKo is supported by a strong advisory board:
- Dr. Beth C. Candol, President of SAPI, brings community leadership.
- Rico Mariano, Foreign Trade Service Officer of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry in Vietnam, provides government trade expertise.
- Mr. Tin Anadilla, Secretary of SAPI and founding investor, bridges trust and capital.
Filipino sellers and buyers in Ho Chi Minh City can join at www.sariko.store. Follow SariKo on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sarisarikoto. Investors interested in the Founders Circle can visit founders.sariko.store.
