DIFFICULT situations do not drown the fighting spirit of Pinay micro-entrepreneurs, who have shown determination to survive and succeed despite limited financial capacities.

This National Women’s Month, Globe recognizes these efforts put forth by these women who chose to fight and win life’s different battles.

One of these tough women is Marianne Andrada. Marianne and her family not only suffered from the effects of the pandemic but they were also among the thousands of Filipinos who experienced the devastation of typhoon Ulysses last year. On top of this, she also lost her mother amid these back-to-back setbacks.

Marianne lives in one of the flood-prone areas in Marikina City. Moving into a higher and better place is not an option since they have already invested in their current dwelling.  Having lost a mother and having to take care of the family during these trying times, Marianne knows she needs to be strong.

“Patong-patong po talaga. Ngayon pa lang po makaka-move on,” Marianne said. She recalls that their sari-sari store, which has been running for around 12 years now as their main source of income, did not escape the adverse effects of the pandemic. Their income from the store went down by half.

“Hanggang ngayon naman, mahirap…halos wala kaming makain. Nag-aantay lang kami ng donasyon ng gobyerno. Kasi wala ring trabaho ‘yung isa, tapos ito lang ‘yung tindahan na inaasahan namin tapos bumaba pa ‘yung kita. Tipid na tipid kami sa araw-araw,” she added.

Good thing that the Globe loading business at their sari-sari store kept their small business running even during the pandemic and helped their livelihood. “Malaking tulong po. Pandagdag kita rin po sa tindahan namin. Malaking dagdag siya sa  pang-araw-araw, [maraming] nagpapa-load. Kailangan po kasi iyan. Kumbaga, kasama na sa buhay ng tao. Hindi na ‘yan luho.”

For about two decades now, Globe has been providing sari-sari store owners like Marianne additional sources of income from its various products such as Globe Prepaid and TM SIM cards, prepaid load cards, and Globe Load.

“We salute these resilient women micro-entrepreneurs who do not allow hardships to put them down.  That is why Globe continues to support them through our load retail business so they in turn, can assist their family,” said Bernie Llamzon, Globe Executive Vice President for Channel Management.

“Siya [Globe] rin po ‘yung nagpaahon sa amin sa pandemya. Sa kinasadlakan naming bagyo no’ng nakaraan, dahil ‘yan ang pangangailangan ng tao noon. Nakatulong para maging extra income rin po,” she added.

Despite the adversities which she faced, Marianne remains an epitome of a changed woman who remains strong and motivated.

“Maging positive lang sa buhay. [Hu]wag susuko. ‘Wag magpadala sa problema. Diskarte ’yun. Filipino tayo e. Hindi tayo basta-basta susuko. Laban lang, lalo na tayong mgaPinay,” she said.

At least 280 retailers from 62 cities and municipalities in eight areas devastated by Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses last year benefitted from Globe’s Community Development program.  They were provided with livelihood opportunities through a retailer package which includes an LTE phone, SIM starter kit, and initial Php 1000 load.

Globe supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically UN SDG No. 8 which calls for Decent Work and Economic Growth; and No. 9 which emphasizes the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. Globe is committed to upholding the 10 United Nations Global Compact principles and 10 UN SDGs.

To learn more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph