Despite hurdles in starting to build their dreams after working in Dubai for years, an overseas Filipino couple proved that “the only thing that separates success from failure is one last attempt.”
In a report on Philstar’s Latest Chika, Macx and Edwin Pantaleon first started a computer shop business in Quezon City in January 2020 after returning from Dubai.
They invested some P400,000 in their business, but the pandemic happened and pushed them to close shop.
“‘Yun nga lang unfortunately nag pandemic so from January to February lang siya open. And then pagdating ng March 15 or 17 nagclose na agad ‘yung computer shop namin. So after non, nagtry akong umisip ng ibang pagkakakitaan, inopen ko na try ko muna magbenta ng damit ko,” Macx said.
Few months into the pandemic, the couple decided to open an ‘Ukay-Ukay’ business.
“First bale is P9,000. Ang bumalik sa’kin is P2,000 lang. As in sobrang lugi talaga. Tapos merong time no’n sabi namin, ‘Ayoko na, tama na, tigilan na natin ‘to,’” they said.
Despite their frustrations, the couple continued to pursue their Ukay business.
“Bahala na basta isugal na lang natin kasi nga sabi nila ukay is risky so bahala na kung anong mangyari,” the couple said.
In April 2020, the couple managed to grow their business and started to accommodate 7,000 orders nationwide.
This brings their monthly earning from P300,000-P450,000 per month.
From this income, they were able to buy a second-hand car, a motorcycle and started constructing their 120 square meter house.
Edwin said that their success was not done overnight, but he also acknowledged his wife’s dedication of not giving up with the business.
“Kailangan nagsstart ka talaga from the bottom. Buti matigas ang ulo niya. Nag-try ulit. Sugal ulit,” Edwin said.
