More than a five-peso feast

LARENA, Siquijor, Philippines  – Bagoong is a famous condiment in the Philippines. For Siquijornons who live in Central Visayas, bagoong isda (fish sauce) goes well with vegetables and a perfect dip for green mango or saba banana.

Bagoong isda is also the perfect source of income for hardworking wife and mother Remy Maglangit of Barangay Helen.

Remy’s husband rarely gets a job offer as a contractual laborer, which he earns 150 pesos a day. So he does not make enough money to cover all their family’s growing needs and expenses.

“Every day, we either eat eggs or salted dried fish, because that’s all my husband’s earnings can afford. Having instant noodles worth five pesos on our dining table is already a feast,” said Remy, who struggles to balance their budget for their daily needs such as food, their children’s healthcare and school fees.

Remy is only a high school graduate. Poverty stopped her from pursuing college studies. Now as a mother, she strives hard to provide support for her children’s education the best she could so they can avoid the same fate she had.

Diligence and persistence marked Remy’s reputation as a potential skilled entrepreneur. She buys and sells goods to help sustain their everyday necessities. “I try to buy anything from the market and I go from house to house to resell it,” she said.

“Thank you to Operation Blessing, I am so happy because I can provide better for my children, give them more nutritious food and attend to their needs. Now I know that God is mindful of me and never forgets even people like us,” said Remy, who did not expect to get more than just free checkup and medicines during Operation Blessing’s medical mission in Larena. She also received bagoong isda and salted dried fish to start up a microenterprise venture.

Operation Blessing Philippines is the humanitarian arm of CBN Asia, producer of the daily inspirational TV show The 700 Club Asia.

OB exemplifies compassion through medical missions, disaster relief, community development, microenterprise activities, and construction of potable water sources in underserved communities throughout the country.

To know more about OB projects and how to partner, call 812-0581 or 812-0592 or visit www.obphil.com.