From the mall to her elder sister’s home, Marilyn Cunanan worked to augment her family’s income and earn a little extra for herself.
At 14, Marilyn worked as a sales girl in a mall in her hometown of Iligan City and helped her elder sister run her household.
“I took on the role of househelper so that I could finish a two-year course at St. Michael’s College,” she said.
She finished a junior secretarial course and applied for a job right after graduation.
She came to Cebu and married in 2002.
“We currently renting a house in Ibabao, Mandaue City, because my husband is working at Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes,” the 40-year-old Cunanan said.
Marilyn set up an eatery to to earn extra money and save for their future.
With P1,000 capital, she set up the small business, renting space near their house located strategically near the barangay hall and a school.
She thought of food “because the area is very busy and people will really eat especially employees and visitors in near establishments,” she said.
Cunanan sells dishes like barbecue, spaghetti, and bihon (Chinese rice noodles).
By 9 a.m. Marilyn starts preparing her menu for display at the eatery and delivery to the school’s canteen.
With a steady income of P300 daily, she uses some of it to buy ingredients for the following day’s menu.
“That is my daily routine. On weekends I stay at home because there are no classes, and usually do household chores like laundry,” Marilyn said.
The working mother said she’s thankful for the opportunity to do business since it’s difficult to land a job at her age.
She said she’s saving to build capital to invest in other businesses.
“My business allows me time for my family especially my child. I can still attend to their needs while earning additional income for all of us,” she said.
Marilyn said her modest success encouraged her to take on new business opportunities.
Ongoing roadwork in the area has forced her to consider moving out.
“This means that I will have to transfer my eatery but I’m hopeful that I can find a good place with foot traffic for my dishes to be sold. Maybe this is an opportunity for me,” Cunanan said.
Cunanan was one of the finalists in Mandaue City selected in the Search for WINNERS or Women In Need Now Entrepreneurs and Role Models in August last year.
The program was initiated by the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the annual Mandaue Business Month celebration.
The Search for WINNERS season 2 will open in May ahead of this year’s Mandaue Business Month.
“We are targeting 25 candidates this year and we encourage the 25 barangays of Mandaue to start preparing for their endorsement of their representatives,” said Carmel de Pio Salvador, chairpersons of the winners committee.