The Philippines’ COVID-19 lockdown forced many students to stay in their homes, but this didn’t hinder four incoming Grade 11 students to grab the opportunity to earn.
Incoming Grade 11 students Alyana Soriano, Jaime Mendoza, Kristine Templanza, and Mikyla Calora got together to launch their very own online ukay-ukay business that they started early June when they realized that they were all bored and weren’t being productive during the quarantine period.
“Pakiramdam ko po na nasasayang po yung oras na habang nag-s-scroll po ako (sa social media), bakit di ko po subukan na magbenta online? Kaya naisipan ko po na mag-aya sa kanila kasi wala rin naman po silang ginagawa,” said Jamie Mendoza in a report from GMA News.
“Naisip ko po na nasayang yung time na wala pa naman po akong pasok tapos nasa bahay naman po ako wala naman pong ginagawa. Yung kikitain ko po pwede ko rin pong ipunin para sa kailangan ko ngayong Senior High School,” added Kristine Templanza.
The four pooled their resources together of Php1,500 each during the first batch of clothes that they bought. Collectively, their initial P6,000 investment earned them P3,000 more and their business moved forward ever since.
Fusing their insights and talents together, the four came up with the online shop where they themselves wear the product to take photos and post it on their shop’s social media feed.
“Pipili po kami ng ibebenta po namin tapos dito na rin po namin pi-picturan sa bahay. Minsan po, mino model namin para makita nang maayos,” shared Alyana Soriano.
“Mahilig po kasi ako sa damit – mag design, maglay out… so gusto ko po habang bata pa po ako ay matutulungan po namin yung sarili namin na mag-grow sa ganitong uri ng mindset,” said Mikyla Calora.
The four assured their parents and the public that they intend to finish their studies as they aim to become architects and engineers in the future.
They said that they plan to continue their online business and juggle it during their school days set to resume in August.
“Maganda na habang bata ka pa, natututo ka na kung paano ka magpatakbo ng pera. Balang araw (sana) may sarili na kaming shop sa mga mall o sa mga bazaar,” said Soriano.
