As a little girl, Maridel Aloria used to dream of getting a college degree and owning a successful business.
But reality crashed down hard when financial problems forced her to drop out of school at the age of 9.
“My parents could no longer afford to send me to school so I had to stop at third grade. I remembered being so sad but there was nothing I can do,” said Aloria, 37, a resident of Plaridel Street, Mandaue City, Cebu.
Aloria didn’t lose hope. She said she knew a lot of people who enjoyed a better life even without acquiring a degree.
An early marriage at 17 saw her move into a new role as mother of five children. She took care of the kids while her husband Omar worked with his father at a fish port.
Since her husband’s income wasn’t enough for their needs, she took a risk and borrowed money for start-up capital for fish vending.
“I know the interest was high because it was a ‘5-6’ loan but I told myself that I would work hard so that I can repay my debt,” she said in Cebuano.
True enough, Aloria managed to grow her business from selling five kilos a day to at least 20 kilos a day.
“Now my husband and I have agreed that I would work while he attends to the children at home,” she said.
Aloria was one of 23 women micro entrepreneurs selected by the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce in their Search for WINNERS or Women in Need Now Entrepreneurs and Role Models in August.
Every day, Aloria goes to the fish port at 3 a.m. to buy fresh fish that she later sells in her neighborhood starting 8 a.m. after sending her kids to Mandaue City Central School.
“I can’t help being a mom so I still cook them breakfast and pack their snacks before I proceed with selling my fish on foot,” Aloria said.
Aloria can walk far distances, reaching barangays of Kambaro and Alang-Alang in Mandaue City just to sell all her fish. Over the years, she has developed loyal customers.
“I make sure the fish is all fresh and that I price it right. Not too much profit because I don’t want to lose my customers to competitors,” Aloria said.
On a slow day, Aloria said she earns around P200. On a good day, the margin is P600.
“We are a big family but we make do with what we have. Of course, we also dream of earning more so that we can live a better life,” Aloria said.
Aloria’s eldest child Mae Therese is followed by Mary Grace, 19, Jomar, 8; Mary Joseph 6; Wendy, 4; and Gerard, 2.
The family dreams of owning a house of their own.
“That’s our ultimate dream because we can’t keep on moving from one place to another. We also want our children to believe that they can still achieve their dreams even if we can’t afford their education,” Aloria said.
She has a clear idea how to get there. She and her husband plan to find space in the Mandaue public market.
“Unlike selling your fish on the street, you get more buyers in the public market so we plan to save up so that we can afford to rent a stall,” Aloria said.