When her mother-in-law died, she thought it was the end of a good future for her family.

Ma. Cristina Borbe, 42, a housewife from Brgy. Sampaloc 2 in Dasmariñas City, Cavite Province, admits that her family has to rely on her mother-in-law, especially when it comes to assuring a meal for her two children. Her husband is a tailor whose income is not enough to support all the needs of their family. Hence, they have to rely on the sari-sari store of her mother-in-law every now and then for most of their needs at home.

“Ang laki talaga ng pangamba naming mag-asawa noong namatay s’ya dahil doon kami sa tindahan n’ya umaasa. Labis kaming nangamba na hindi na namin kayang buhayin nang maayos ang aming mga anak,” shared Cristina.

The death of her mother-in-law changed their family’s living condition, but Cristina has never expected that she’ll be able to manage a self-reliant life, rather than simply depending on someone else.

 

The start of change

Cristina shared that she only had two dreams before—to eat three times a day and to send her two children to school. Today, the realization of her dreams is sweeter as she knows she did something to make them happen.

In 2012, Cristina’s family became a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. For her, this started change in her family’s living condition.

“Malaki ang naitulong ng Pantawid sa pag-aaral ng mga anak ko kasi nabibili ko lahat ng kailangan nila sa pag-aaral katulad ng baon, projects, school supplies, school uniform, shoes at pambayad ng school fees nila. Kaya naman talagang sinisikap namin na sumunod sa lahat ng kundisyon ng programa katulad ng 85% attendance ng mga anak ko sa school,” she happily shared.

With the grants they are receiving, Cristina is able to allot her husband’s income for their other needs at home. Further, she learned how to better manage their finances.

“Dahil sa pagdalo ko sa mga Family Development Sessions, marami akong natutunan katulad ng pag-iipon at tamang paggasta ng pera,” she said.

 

Contributing to the family’s finances

Finally learning how to better manage their finances, Cristina became confident about starting up her own sari-sari store. With the help of a small loan from the Social Security System (SSS), she was able to take over her deceased mother-in-law’s store, which is located just next to their home.

Slowly, she managed to gain profit, which allowed her to expand her business. Now, she sells rice, too aside from the basic household commodities.

“Kung dati ay wala akong kinikita, ngayon ay nakakabenta na ako ng Php500 to Php600 kada araw. Malaking tulong ito para sa aming pamilya, para makaya naming suportahan ang lahat ng pangangailangan nila,” Cristina shared.

Further, her careful management of their finances allowed her to save enough money to improve their home—a safer haven especially for her two children. Their home is now made of concrete and already has two bedrooms.

Looking back, Cristina had a lot of worries and had almost given up. Gratefully, she learned to stand up on her own and make a move to ensure she can provide a good future for her children.

The death of her mother-in-law sure changed her family’s living condition—only that it turned out to be a change for the better.# with reports from MTugano