Ethel Mae C. Guinanoy, a seasoned entrepreneur from Lagawe, Ifugao, has weathered many storms throughout her business journey. With determination and resilience, she has overcome significant hurdles to build a thriving business, although, her path to success has been marked by challenges, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.
From a young age, Ethel Mae faced difficulty in life. Raised in a family where her father was the sole provider, she had limited educational opportunities, only completing her secondary education. To contribute to her family’s finances, she began working at a tender age such as house to house selling of street foods and vegetables, and mostly worked as a saleslady, setting the stage for her future entrepreneurial endeavors.
Choosing to enter the business industry in Lagawe, the capital town of Ifugao, Ethel Mae initially worked as a cook and saleswoman for various snack businesses. However, driven by the desire to provide a better future for her daughter, she took a bold step. She ventured into entrepreneurship, establishing her own snack house, “Lady Frances’ Food Stop” at the Lagawe Terminal.
Despite initial success, the onset of the pandemic brought unforeseen challenges. Forced to close her business for nearly a year, Ethel Mae faced financial strain and uncertainty. With savings depleted and mounting responsibilities, including her daughter’s education, she found herself in a difficult situation.
But, hope arrived in the form of the Livelihood Assistance Grant (LAG) from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) under the program Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). Ethel Mae seized the opportunity to revive her business using the grant. With perseverance, she reopened “Lady Frances’ Food Stop”, offering a variety of snacks and beverages to a diverse customer base such as camote cue, banana cue, turon and lumpia.
Regardless of challenges, such as the number of fluctuating customer, Ethel Mae’s business has shown resilience. The grant provided a much- needed boost, increasing her monthly income and enabling her to expand her services to include catering.
Reflecting on her journey, Ethel Mae expresses gratitude for the assistance received. She credits the grant for helping her navigate the challenges of the pandemic and fueling her determination to persevere.
As Ethel Mae’s story illustrates, resilience and determination can turn adversity into opportunity. Her journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of government support and individual perseverance in overcoming unprecedented challenges.
“I am thankful for the assistance given to me. It helped me cope with the struggles caused by the pandemic and motivated me to fight for the business to prolong”’, says Ethel Mae.
Ethel Mae’s business is still operating and generating income. It supports her and funds her daughter’s education. She stated that she will maintain her business for as long as she can and plans to add more variety of street foods and sari-sari store for additional income potential.
In the face of difficulty, Ethel Mae’s story serves as an inspiration, highlighting the importance of resilience, community support and governmental aid in rebuilding livelihoods and fostering economic recovery. # DSWD FIELD OFFICE CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, HAZEL ANN BUY-O
