A Partnership Through the Years

They say that life rewards action and for Nanay Luzviminda, this has been her guiding principle that eventually led to her success.

She has been a loyal client of ASA since she was 52 years old. Now at 60, she is one of the more seasoned clients of ASA in Bacolod City who’s reaping the fruits of her hard labor, risks, and sacrifices.

Nanay Luzviminda Talatala sells vegetables and some grocery items in their community.

In an estranged land

Nanay and her family were not originally from Bacolod. They came from the island of Sipalay, but her husband was given work in the city. They left the quiet life of the island, all 8 of them, expecting stable and guaranteed income for the family in the city. 

The city, however,  made them sunk deeper into poverty. 

Tatay Roberto was a carpenter, earning 80 pesos a day when they transferred in the 1980s. Even back then, this was not enough to sustain 6 children in an estranged land. They had no family to rely on and very few neighbors who are willing to extend a helping hand. 

They had no place to live in. For years, they stayed in the construction site where Tatay was working. When it was finished, they were forced out and had to look for a rental place to live in. 

With the rent and the growing needs of their 6 children, Nanay Luzviminda had to work.

Entrepreneurship as a weapon

For 23 years, Nanay worked as domestic help. Her employer - employee status helped household expenses. She then realized that she could do more to help her family. This was also the time she inquired about micro-financing through one of the agents of ASA Philippines. Little did she know that this inquiry will turn into a fruitful partnership that will eventually change her life. 

Her first loan was P4,000. She bought one piglet for P2,000 and used the rest of the loan to build their makeshift pigpen. She continued her domestic work as income security while she takes risks in entrepreneurship. 

Every day before she goes home, Nanay knocks on each door in the subdivision asking for leftover food. Without the money to buy expensive hog feeds, she relied on the leftovers to sustain her business. The piglet grew into a strong sow (mother pig) and gave birth to 11 piglets. She raised all 11 and sold them at around P50,000. The sow gave birth to another 9 piglets, some of which Nanay turned into strong sows. By the end of 2010, Nanay had enough income security to finally leave her domestic work after two decades of hard labor and a minimum income. 

She used hardwork and entrepreneurship as weapons to fight poverty. 

And ASA Philippines ensured that she has the best chances to win.

Life rewards actions - Nanay Luzviminda now after taking the risk to start her own business through the loans she acquired from ASA Philippines

Wisdom from Six Decades of Trying, Failing and Winning 

Nanay Luzviminda urges everyone to consider microfinance institutions like ASA Philippines Foundation as a reliable partner for a better life, instead of defaulting to loan sharks, borrowing from neighbors and friends, or relying on relatives. 

Microfinance institutions like ASA have low-interest rates, more manageable payment arrangements, insurance, and even gives benefits. 

“Dahil po sa ASA, nakapagpatayo ako ng bahay. May sarili na kaming natitirahan. Dahil po sa ASA, may hanapbuhay kami. Hindi lang po babuyan, pati na rin po gulayan. Dahil rin po sa ASA, nakapagtapos sa pag-aaral ang lahat ng anim kong anak. Lahat po sila tapos. Dalawa po sa kanila, sa ASA na nagtatrabaho. Tinutulungan po nila ang iba pang gaya ko nung 2010, naghahanap ng paraan para labanan ang kahirapan. 

Lahat po ito utang na loob ko sa ASA. Alagang-alaga po ako,” says Nanay Luzviminda. 

(Because of ASA, we got our house built. We have our own now. Because of ASA, we have a steady source of income like vegetable selling and hog raising. Because of ASA, all my six children were able to finish school. Two of them work in ASA. They help people like me in 2010, looking for ways to fight poverty.) 

Her final words of advice: “Wag matakot sumugal. Kapag natakot ka, wala kang mararating sa buhay. Maraming nakaalalay, tutulong sayo sa laban.” 

(Don’t be afraid to take risks. If you let fear overcome you, you wouldn’t succeed in life. A lot of people are here to help as you win the fight.)