New Hope

PTRI’s contributions to the improvement in the quality of life of Sta. Monica and Inagawan folk have been manifested in the experiences of workers.

Mrs. Flor Tamayo, wife of a security guard and mother of two, was teary-eyed in her recollection of those days when her family had to be contented with rice alone during meals.  Children’s clothing needs could hardly be provided.  This is so because her desire to look for some livelihood opportunities to augment family income was overpowered by her husband’s desire that she stay at home, do the household chores, and take care of the kids.

After one year of weaving, she had her share to the family budget.  Gone were the tensions and worries when payment due dates for a motorcycle they bought before came! Flor blushed revealing more of her pinkish complexion. She confided that with a little extra money, she makes sure she has stock of her favorite exfoliating cream, the secret of her radiant looks and invigorated marital relationship. With the P2,000 monthly take home pay, she is optimistic of a better future for her family as she thinks of the possibility of sending her children to college.

  Mrs. Nilda Hermosa used to stay at home attending to the needs of her carpenter–husband and four children.  She almost ran out of ways to budget the husband’s meager income that hardly sufficed for their food, simple clothes, and the children’s school expenses. Though painful to accept, she thinks sending her children to college was far from reality. 

After more than two years with Binuatan Creations, Nilda’s family life slowly changed for the better. The children’s school expenses are not a burden anymore. The kids can now watch their favorite shows on a color television set. Beautiful music fills the house with records played in a new cassette tape recorder.  Almost every Sunday, the whole family goes to the town proper for relaxation and fellowship.

Finding a job not suited to one’s course does not affect Jacky Wong’s attitude toward work. Jacky, before joining Binuatan Creations, used to work as a saleslady in a small drug store, which is a far cry from the electronics technology course she finished. 

“I find weave design development very challenging,” says Jacky.  Despite the back pains she feels everytime she throws the shuttle, beats the reed, and steps on the pedals, she still finds her job relaxing and thinks of staying long.

The revival of Tagumpay Multi-Purpose Cooperative made a great difference in the lives of its members.  Mrs. Florencia Tumalac or Ate Puing used to earn a living for her family as a barangay official and a farmer.  With a sickly husband and three children to support, she hardly made both ends meet. Even with only barely two meals a day, clothes were purchased only once a year.

Ate Puing is the manager of Tagumpay Multi-purpose Cooperative with a monthly salary of P2,000. In addition, she weaves and earns P2,400/month.  Out of this income, she supports the education of her children. Her second child is taking up B.S. in Home Economics in Palawan and the other one is in high school. Whenever they are free from school, they work part time in Binuatan to have cash for their school expenses. Her eldest daughter who is already married also works with Bang. Ate Puing finds joy in her heart as she sees her children watch telenovelas and soap operas in a newly acquired 20-inch color television set.  The sparkling white tiles of her kitchen sink inspire her to do cooking and dishwashing chores.  For sure, she will be more inspired if her plan to have their floor cemented or tiled would materialize, too.

Beyond the material benefits, Ate Puing finds fulfillment in helping the less fortunate Palaweños. Under her care are her nephew, the 5-year-old boy Bimbim, who was abandoned by his parents, and a 15-year-old teenager who helps her maintain the center.  A 90-year-old former Iwahig Penal Colony inmate died under her care very recently.

Another beneficiary of Tagumpay’s revival is Mrs. Lilibeth Carandang.  Lilibeth used to depend on the salary of her husband who is a developer in a photography studio.  Family budgeting was beset with financial problems despite the fact that the P8,000  gross monthly income is big, considering rural standards. Her husband’s place of assignment is far that he rents a house and spends for his food. To augment expenses, she runs a small sari-sari store.

When she entered Tagumpay Multi-purpose Cooperative, life changed.  Because weaving was done at home, she was able to continue managing the store.  Her income provided additional capital for her small business, and so her profit multiplied correspondingly.

 

Her income from the store and weaving job allowed them to save money for the installation of electricity at home. The family now enjoys the joy of watching television and the comfort of moving freely in a well-lighted home. Lilibeth, inspite of a busy schedule, never fails to maintain her much improved appearance.  Thanks to the branded lotion, perfumes, and lipstick which she can now afford to buy!  Looking more desirable than before, she notices that her husband could hardly wait for the weekend to be with her and her family. Sometimes, the family goes to a fast food restaurant for a merienda treat and supermarket for their shopping spree.

Mr. and Mrs. Carandang are now among those parents who believe that the availability of jobs in Tagumpay Multi-purpose Cooperative means better future for their children.