Even as his business career continues to thrive, 43-year-old entrepreneur Glen Morales from Brgy. Luneta, La Paz, Leyte, still finds himself reminiscing about the eight years that have passed since a fire destroyed their canteen business and tragically claimed the lives of four of their young children.
Sa isang iglap, nawala lahat. Kahit ilang taon pa ang nagdaan, sariwa pa rin eh. Kaya nga noon, kahit na nabigyan ng pagkakataon na magtayo muli ng canteen, hindi namin kayang ipagpatuloy ‘yun kasi naalala lang naming yung trahedya; ang sakit isipin,” he said.
(In an instant, everything was gone. Even though many years have passed, it still feels fresh. That’s why, back then, even though we were given the chance to start the canteen again, we couldn’t continue because we would remember the tragedy; it’s painful to think about.)
Morales shared that they didn’t have the courage to re-establish a canteen after the tragic accident.
With unwavering determination, Glen and his wife, Maribel, decided not to let the tragedy define them. They set their sights on a new business venture.
After much contemplation, Glen found inspiration in his mother’s ginger tea. This led them to the idea of processing turmeric powder.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provided technical assistance in packaging and labeling products as he rebuilt their business.
Over time, the company’s product range expanded, and its DTI-approved business thrived under the brand name “GLEN’s,” which began in a factory in La Paz, Leyte.
In addition, the Department of Science and Technology provided a loan of P375,000 to purchase a juicer extractor and pulverizer machine.
They also received support from the CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions, a microfinance and community-based social development.
We obtained a loan of P30,000 from them, which we used to establish a canteen in 2012. My wife and I are both clients of CARD Bank, with my wife becoming a client in 2005 and myself in 2008,” Glen said.
Presently, the Morales couple sells their products at a Pasalubong Center in Palo, Leyte, in addition to their hometown’s business establishment.
Small businesses like Glen’s can benefit from various support mechanisms from government agencies and microfinance institutions to provide guidance and resources for sustainable growth. (AAC/JKPA, PIA Leyte)
