Category: Feature Stories

Planters Bank & DTI-NCR | July 21, 1994 Invaluable support to small enterprise development.

Nanay Salve Calvario’s life story is not for the faint of heart. The trials she faced from a very young age until a few years ago are among the most devastating experiences anyone can possibly encounter in their lifetime. But those painful experiences just made Nanay Salve stronger and even more determined to succeed in life. Early on in her interview, Nanay Salve broke down when she recalled her mother’s suicide when she was only four years old. That tragedy … Continue reading “FROM ASHES AND HEARTBREAKS TO FASHIONABLE BAGS”

There is a wealth of wisdom to gain from listening to 46 year old RTW manufacturer Rowena Samson Albia. As she shares the highs and lows of her entrepreneurial journey, one can’t help but notice and admire her exceptionally high level of determination, diligence and self-discipline. These three values are among her strongest assets and biggest factors that contributed to her success. Nanay Rowena took up a vocational sewing course in Novaliches Traning Center way back in 1990. From 1991 … Continue reading “OF CLOTHING, DISCIPLINE AND FAMILY”

Wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, entrepreneur and friend – these are all the roles that Nanay Delia Natavio Herrera plays in life. While she is seriously committed to each of her roles, she quickly pointed out which matters to her the most. “Family first ako,” Nanay Delia proudly says over the noise of her seven grandchildren who are chattering and running around in her general merchandise store. The 51 year old retail store owner is among the pioneer batch of TSPI … Continue reading “A MOTHER’S LEGACY”

Standing roughly five feet tall, Nanay Maria De Vera Campanero’s petite frame belies the greatness of her wisdom as an entrepreneur and depth of her commitment to her mask making business. The 57 year old wife of Tatay Lucio, who works as a security guard for a tire company in Santolan, and mother of two did not hesitate to share the reason why she put up her mask business. “Ang nagtulak sa akin na magnegosyo ay kahirapan na rin po, … Continue reading “SEWING MASKS, SOWING HOPE”

“Magpakatatag. Kumapit sa Diyos. Huwag bibitiw. Dire-diretso lang ang pagtratrabaho. Dadating ang panahon, makakarating din sa matayog at matagumpay na pagnenegosyo.” These are the words of wisdom of Nanay Rowena Manalo, the Sustainable Business Awardee of the 2017 Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards, when asked what advice she can give to new entrepreneurs. She speaks every word from her heart, because she herself held on to God and never gave up – and that’s one reason behind the success of her driftwood … Continue reading “HARVESTING SUCCESS, ONE TREE AT A TIME”

At only 43 years old, Nanay Josephine Mayuga has already gone through the most painful experience for any parent. It was the first day of September in the year 2000 when her first born child – a three year old girl – was hit by a motorcycle in their native province of Batangas. Her child did not survive the impact. After their child’s burial, Nanay Josephine and her husband Tatay Ronaldo went up to Baguio to seek healing from the … Continue reading “A MOTHER’S STRIDE TOWARDS HEALING AND SUCCESS”

IN CELEBRATION of its 10th anniversary, the TSPI Mutual Benefit Association, Inc. (TSPI MBA), held its Annual General Membership (AGM) meeting with a special theme, honoring God’s faithfulness for the past 10 years.  The theme, “Sampung Taon ng Pagpapala ng Diyos sa MBA,” paved the way for the AGM and other activities last May 31 at TSPI’s Engr. Padilla Hall in Makati City.  A thanksgiving mass was offered to commence the general assembly. SAMPUNG TAON NG PAGPAPALA Recognizing its role … Continue reading “CELEBRATING A DECADE OF FAITHFULNESS”

IN DASMARIÑAS, Cavite, scraps of fabric have spawned communities of hardworking rag makers and families with added income. At the helm of this movement is husband-and-wife team Ranie and Haydee Villaruz, who found a fortune in basahang bilog (round rags). In May 2016, TSPI’s Enterprise Development Services (EDS) was thinking up new community-driven projects when the idea of affordable, easy-to-produce rags from factories’ scrap materials came into the picture. “We wanted something productive for our nanays (mothers) and their families … Continue reading “FROM RAGS TO RICHES”