Alden Richards shares his learnings from investments in the past: “Medyo naloko po tayo ng naloko”
Alden Richards enters a new business venture, this time into the party scene, as he establishes a bar called Stardust.
Located at 58 Jupiter Avenue, Makati City, the establishment was conceptualized as “a haven for music aficionados” because of its acoustic treatment and sound systems.
FreebieMNL and select entertainment reporters had the chance to experience Alden’s new business venture for the first time during his Christmas party for the press on December 17, 2023.
Alden says it has just been three months since he and his partners opened up the bar.
Image Courtesy of Sparkle GMA Artist Center
Unparalleled sound system
According to Alden, he and his partners paid attention and invested in a good sound system.
He says during the interview, “Talagang we invested heavily on sound system. Parang half of our investment, yung total capital ng investment namin, half noon, puro sound system siya.
“So, kapag nandito kayo on a regular night, kahit malakas yung music, we see to it na hindi kayo nagsisigawan when you talk. Ganun yung sound system namin.
“On a regular night, kapag maraming tao, doon sa mga huling punta ko, totoo naman, malakas music pero hindi kayo nagsisigawan.”
The sound system was designed by Waxie Joaquin, Jose Francisco “Jiggs” Hermano, and Edward Bicierro, with sound treatment by Jose Paolo Aguado.
Meanwhile, the entire space is designed by Angie Gonzalez-Hagar. The place showcases “a dazzling entry hall of textured mirrors, velvet-lined booths and glittering disco ball chandeliers, and a night sky of stars strewn across the ceilings.”
Stardust also boasts must-try dishes including Street Corn Ribs, Gambas y Chorizo, Aglio e Olio with Chicken Breast, and U.S. Beef Tenderloin. Their signature cocktails include Silver Surfer, Euphoria, and Midnight Moonbeam.
Peter Hager, President of Stardust and one of its founding partners, says about the place, “Our belief and philosophy is founded on the idea that ultimately great dance music of all genres and vintages played through a state-of-the-art sound system and being able to share this with your favorite people is one of the strongest and most positive sources of pleasure and well-being available to us.”
READ ALSO: Alden Richards Addresses Rumors About Being Gay, Having Kids, And Being Married To Maine Mendoza
Alden on business and investments
According to Alden, he liked the business proposal that’s why he said yes as a business partner with Stardust.
But even if he now has a bar, the Sparkle artist remains a homebody. Having a bar business is just something that he wants to explore.
He explains, “I just wanted to venture into something new and to experience a business na parang hindi ko siya league kasi nga hindi ko siya hilig.
“Kasi I’m an advocate nga po na kung may papasukin kayong negosyo, dapat yung hilig mo, di ba? So, parang ito yung pambali doon.
“So far, I really can’t say it kasi bago pa lang kami pero so far, so good. Maganda yung reception sa kanya ng tao.”
Recently, Alden shared in an interview that he fell into a scam that incurred losses from his savings since 2016.
He says, “Doon po kasi, walang pong tangible asset doon or thing na nakikita. More on investment lang siya, money investments, cryptocurrency, yung mga ganun po.
“Doon tayo medyo naano kasi since the pandemic naman po, yun yung naging ways at sobrang na-hype siya during that time kasi too good to be true yung kita pero nangyayari. Pero high gain, high loss po kasi siya.”
But now, Alden has learned his lesson and is now choosy on his investments, as well as taking nuggets of advice from his mentors who refuse to be named.
He shares, “If it’s too good to be true, mag-isip na po kayo. Wala pong ganung klaseng scheme o hindi po totoong nangyayari yung mga too good to be true na magpasok ka ng pera, yung 1000 pesos mo magiging 10,000 in seven days, wala pong ganun.
“At the end of the day, hindi po sa dami ng pera niyo sa bank account ang ikaka-success niyo kung hindi sa dami ng alam niyo. So, it’s better to have more knowledge than money because yung money, susunod na lang siya.
“Pero kung wala kang alam, coming from experience po, kung nauna yung pera bago yung knowledge, so, medyo naloko po tayo ng naloko.”
Aside from Stardust, Alden now has his own production company, Myriad Corporation, which handles concerts, movies, and e-sports games.
READ ALSO: How Alden Richards Avoids “Budol” Shopping
Banner Art Paulo Correa
