What would you do if you had everything you once dreamed of only to realize it wasn’t enough?
For Cebuano entrepreneur Terence Neil S. Padrique, the answer was simple but bold: come home, start over, and build something rooted in purpose.
After 12 years as a licensed physical therapist and staffing agency owner in the U.S., Padrique decided to walk away from the American dream.
“We lived in some of the coldest states. The income was good, but there was a hunger in me to do more, something that connected health, purpose, and my roots,” he shared.
That inner calling gave birth to The Lemon Co., now one of the Philippines’ fastest-growing healthy beverage brands, with deep Cebuano roots.
It all began in 2016 with a tiny 3-square-meter stall inside Super Metro at Ayala Center Cebu. Day one sales? PHP9,000. Today, The Lemon Co. boasts 60 stores nationwide and aims to double that number by the end of 2025.
With fresh branding and feel-good drinks, it quickly became a favorite among mallgoers and health-conscious Cebuanos. From Cebu, the brand spread its zesty charm to Bohol, Dumaguete, Boracay, Panglao, and even Metro Manila. A Davao branch is opening soon, and expansion across Southeast Asia is in the pipeline.
But the journey wasn’t always sweet.
Padrique first tried his hand at a cold-pressed juice venture called Plenish. It didn’t click. Then, at a health expo in Robinsons Galleria, he added a simple PHP60 lemonade to the menu. It sold out and sparked an idea that would eventually become The Lemon Co.
“I’ve always loved lemonade. I have hyperacidity, so it’s my go-to drink,” he said.
With PHP 1.5 million in savings, he returned to Cebu in 2015 with his family and took the leap into entrepreneurship. He introduced a franchise model in 2017, starting at just PHP 465,000, a tempting offer for aspiring local business owners.
Sourcing ingredients, especially lemons, was a major challenge. At first, the company relied on imports from China, Argentina, and California. But now, things are changing. The Lemon Co. works with local farmers and cooperatives in Brgy Lusaran, Cebu City, to grow lemons right here in the highlands.
“Growing lemons takes time—three years before they mature—but it’s a long-term investment for both our business and the farmers,” Padrique explained.
They’re also sourcing 600 kilos of local cucumber weekly to keep up with demand. Today, The Lemon Co. needs 20 tons of lemons per month, and that figure is still climbing.
More than just drinks, the brand is now branching out into food: lemon-infused ice cream, quick bites, and more to keep customers coming back. And with potential markets like Singapore and Vietnam on the horizon, Padrique is thinking big.
“This is no longer just a beverage business. It’s a health movement. It’s a livelihood platform. And it’s a Cebu-born success story,” he said.
From Ayala Center Cebu to Southeast Asia, The Lemon Co. is proof that sometimes, coming home is the real dream. And all it takes is one good idea and a little bit of zest.
CebuLifestyleChannel.ph