AMBULANT FOOD BUSINESS GROWS WITH 10K GRANT

Merly Soriano went to Singapore in November 2009 realizing that their aggregate
income as a couple was hardly sufficient especially for the burgeoning needs of their three (3)
children who were already of school age at that time. The eldest was already in junior high and
the youngest in the elementary. Carlos, her husband was left with the kids as he went ahead
with his small-time contracting business for petty jobs.

She had big dreams then and so did the whole family. Her stint was abbreviated
however because Carlos was killed barely a year after, in the middle of a scuffle which he
should not have joined in the first place. She had to quit her job immediately because of the
kids, oblivious of what was in store for them.

Unable to set aside anything, it being her first crack at overseas work, she was at a loss
as to how she’d cope with the aggravated situation. But she had to be strong and resilient. She
knew she could very well go back to selling snack food as she’s been wont to. Getting helpless
and despondent was the least that could happen to her so, sparing no time at all, she decided to
revive her food business simply relying on meager resources.

Feeling a bit uncertain, Merly somehow had to re-start small, making do with just a
basket and a typical winnow to hold her stuff as she singly went on foot from one Agency to
another within the Regional Government Center on weekdays and house-to-house, together
with a few establishments in the city proper on weekends. The challenge, she thought, was too
obtrusive but she wasn’t bothered at all. She had to deal with all obstacles out of concern for her
children, aware that she had to strive all by herself now. She knew all the while that everything
was going in her favor as she had no difficulty disposing of her wares (meat and vegetable rolls,
turon, other local delicacies, etc.) banking mostly on sustained quality and good service plus a
sunny disposition that unmistakably endears her to customers.

It has reached a point where she somewhat felt that the going was smooth yet rather
sluggish and she kept hoping that she’d be able to secure additional funds to augment her
limited capitalization. And it seemed like manna from heaven because processing for the 10K
National Re-integration Center for OFWs (NRCO) Program was then on-going and in one of her
regular visits to the regional office she was prodded on to accomplish her application papers
posthaste. She did just that, totally unmindful of the outcome but full of hope that it will be
favorably acted upon.

When the 10K financial assistance was awarded to her in July 2012, she was visibly
ecstatic. She resolved to work much harder and prove that success can be achieved with a lot
of determination and a deep sense of purpose. Noticeably, she was all fired up as she vowed to
make her enterprise grow for all other grantees to appreciate the dictum that “big things start
small”.
 Indeed, there have been visible improvements in her day-to-day ambulant vending
operation. No longer does she move around on foot as she has permanently contracted a
tricycle and she also has an assistant or two to help her out in attending to clients. Presently,
there is also a wider range of items to choose from which she arranges snugly in two (2)
winnows and a bigger basket. Depending on the weather condition, she would likewise venture
on a choice of chicken broth or sinanta. The latter is a native soup cooked with flat noodles
mixed with vermicelli and minced chicken, garnished with diced fried garlic and chives, made
more appealing with natural food coloring.

Merly undoubtedly exudes more confidence now, as if assuring everyone that her
business is far better than it was years back and that she has already overcome the hardships
that continued to weigh her down. When asked about her current income, she claimed rather
hesitantly that she nets P800.00 to P1,000.00 per day on the average. It’s pretty much like
working abroad, she gamely swears. But she admits that she cannot claim total success as yet.
All indications, however, point to a better business outlook that she can always rely on. For one,
there are now 43 NGAs located in the RGC complex, a big leap from the previous level of 30
something and many more are relocating soon, all the better for her growing business. In jest,
she would in fact say that maybe, she should already consider purchasing a tricycle for easier
mobility. A wise decision it should be!

Now, she often flashes a charming smile that negates the difficulties that she’s been
through in the early going. Merly is truly a survivor and a winner who never gives up on anything
that will improve the status of her family. In fact, she willingly shared her life-changing
experiences on local radio, shamelessly baring otherwise confidential aspects of her life to the
utter amusement of the anchor. Feeling more secured, she’s determined to have all her children
finish their college education, the best that she could bequeath them, she proudly declares. And
she is endlessly grateful for the big help that came her way providentially. I will never ever forget
the wonderful opportunity that provided me with a stronger resolve to face life’s challenges
single-handedly, she quips with a wide grin.
MERLY S. SORIANO
Business: Ambulant Snack Food Sales
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan