First Cafe
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Couple Opens Riverside Coffeehouse, Hopes to Boost Local Tourism
By Romel “Direk” F. Bernardo We don’t have water here, just coffee,” quipped 58-year-old Kuwaiti national Ahmeer Alkatan as I requested a glass of water after a scenic 30-minute journey through the woodland from bustling…
Founder’S Profile
Romel “Direk” Ferriol Bernardo
Bernardo Creative Ventures, Inc., the company behind Direk Fuels, Oriental Mindoro’s homegrown gas station chain, and Direk Builders, which rents out heavy equipment, is expanding its portfolio by venturing into online media and content production.
The company’s entry into news media is not surprising, as its founder and CEO, Romel “Direk” Bernardo, was a television writer, producer, and director for over 15 years. From 2002 to 2007, he served as a researcher, writer, and producer for GMA-7’s top-rating show Imbestigador before becoming the executive producer for ABS-CBN’s award-winning documentary program, The Correspondents.
