Before dawn breaks over Tagbilaran City, Maricris Senados is already awake. By 4:00 a.m., she is cooking—lugaw simmering, kakanin steaming, chili oil slowly releasing its sharp, garlicky aroma. It is a routine shaped by necessity, perseverance, and a quiet hope that today, like most days, everything she prepares will be sold before the afternoon ends.
Today, Maricris is a familiar face at the Tagbilaran City Hall, where she runs a small food stall offering a rotation of home-cooked favorites: palitaw one day, puto or kutsinta the next, biko after that. Alongside these are her bagoong alamang—both sweet and spicy—lugaw, and her flagship product under the Shell LiveWire program: chili sauce made from siling labuyo, garlic, sugar, and carefully balanced seasoning.
Her stall stands rent-free, a space provided by the local government unit through the Tagbilaran City Hall, made possible by the endorsement of Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) and close coordination with the city’s livelihood department. It is a small space, but it represents a journey that began much closer to home.
Small Beginnings, Shared Determination
Before starting her business, Maricris was a full-time housewife. To help make ends meet, she ran a modest sari-sari store and experimented with homemade ice cream and ice candy—mixing everything manually with a small mixer and beater. Her capital was limited, something she openly shared during the culminating activity of the program.
Every afternoon, she would prepare snacks, post them online, and deliver orders herself when there were buyers. Orders came, but only a few. Still, she persisted, believing that consistency—no matter how small—was better than giving up.
Her path crossed with PSFI unexpectedly. A PSFI program officer visited her community in search of scholars for the Sanayan sa Kakayahang Industriyal (SKIL) program, specifically for Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) NC I. Although the visit was not intended for livelihood applicants, Maricris took the chance. She approached the officer, introduced her products, and asked if there was any support available to help her grow her small business.
With the help of Barangay Kagawad Haide Ingking of Cogon, who oversees livelihood initiatives in their barangay, Maricris was formally bridged to PSFI. The response was immediate and encouraging: “Yes, we have a program for that.”
That single conversation opened two doors for the family. Maricris became a beneficiary of PSFI’s Shell LiveWire livelihood program, while her son qualified for a SMAW NC I scholarship under SKIL. Mother and son trained side by side, graduated at the same time, and moved forward together. Today, her son is pursuing a degree in criminology—another step toward a more secure future.
A Stall That Sells Out—and the Challenges Behind It
Marketing was once one of Maricris’ biggest challenges. She enjoys talking to customers and occasionally posts her products on social media, but word-of-mouth proved to be even more powerful. Employees from nearby offices, fellow vendors, and passers-by often buy her food early in the day. Many afternoons, her stall is already sold out by 1:00 or 2:00 p.m.
With the help of a motorcycle, she and her family also deliver orders around the city. The demand is there—but so are the difficulties.
“Hirap kami dito, sir, kapag umuulan kasi para kaming basing sisiw,” she shared. “Libre yung pwesto, galing sa city hall, kami na lang nag-provide ng trapal.”
Because she does not yet have a permanent cooking space, everything is prepared at home before sunrise, transported to the stall in the morning, and packed up again in the afternoon. After selling, she heads to the market to buy ingredients for the next day.
“Ang hirap kasi 4:00 a.m. pa lang, gigising na kami para magluto. Lahat ng niluto namin, hahakutin pa tapos liligpitin sa hapon,” she said. The cycle repeats daily—demanding, exhausting, but purposeful.
Support That Made Growth Possible
PSFI’s intervention proved to be a turning point. Instead of using her limited capital to buy equipment and supplies, Maricris was able to save and reinvest.
“Malaki po ito na tulong. Kasi sa gamit pa lang na suporta ng PSFI, malaki yung na-save ko sa pagbili ng raw materials,” she shared.
Through the program, with the support of Shell Pilipinas Corporation (SPC), PSFI provided key inputs for her business: eggs, flour, and milk for kakanin and ice cream; raw materials for chili sauce and bagoong alamang; and even bottles and packaging materials. Many of the products now displayed in her stall exist because of this support—allowing her to focus on production, quality, and consistency.
“Naitipid ang puhunan dahil sa tulong ng programa,” she explained, noting how the assistance helped stabilize her operations and reduce daily financial pressure.
Looking Ahead: A Space to Grow
Maricris’ next dream is simple yet transformative: a proper establishment.
“Pwesto talaga—yung maganda, yung doon ka na magluluto. Kapag nakaluto ka na, display mo na,” she said.
A permanent space would mean no more transferring food from home to stall, no more makeshift coverings during the rain, and more time and energy to explore new products. She hopes to try baking bread or cakes in the future. For now, she also makes leche flan using a steamer, as she does not yet have an oven.
Her vision is rooted in care—not just for growth, but for sustainability.
Lessons from the Journey
Through her experience, Maricris learned a lesson she now carries with pride: “Matutong pangalagaan yung bigay sa’yo. Palakihin mo, huwag mong pababayaan.”
She knows what it means to seize an opportunity when it comes. “Kinuha ko ang pagkakataon para masuportahan kami sa pinansyal.” she said.
To others who dream of starting a business, her advice is clear and heartfelt:
“Dapat mayroon kayong goal. Hindi yung kaunting pagsubok lang, suko na kayo.”
“Kung gusto n’yo lumago, accept the challenges.”
Even criticism, she says, can be fuel for improvement. “Accepted ko rin yung sinasabi ng mga tao, kunyari ‘Ang alat niyan,’ in a positive way.”
A Story of Shared Progress
From a home kitchen to a stall at City Hall, Maricris Senados’ story is one of quiet determination—strengthened by timely support, community partnership, and a belief that small opportunities, when nurtured, can grow into lasting change.
Through programs like Shell LiveWire and SKIL, PSFI and SPC continue to work alongside individuals and families like Maricris’, helping turn everyday effort into sustainable livelihoods—and everyday hope into something tangible, nourishing, and shared.
