In the Philippines, the word “home” means something different for millions of families living as informal settlers. Every day, they wake up with the uncertainty of eviction, the worry that the land they’ve built their lives on could be taken from them at any moment. It’s a reality shaped by poverty, lack of affordable housing, and the relentless search for opportunity in the city.
Yet behind the headlines and statistics are real people—parents, children, neighbors—who find ways to endure, adapt, and even dream. This is where our story begins.
Welcome to the very first episode of “Breaking Through,” Pure Bayanihan’s new podcast series. In each episode, we shine a light on the quiet courage and everyday resilience of communities facing the toughest odds. Today, we journey to Meycauayan, Bulacan, where families like Joyce’s are not just surviving, but finding ways to build a future—one small victory at a time.
Life on Borrowed Land
For many families in Meycauayan, every day begins with uncertainty. Living on borrowed land in makeshift homes, they constantly face the threat of eviction—never knowing if today might be the day they’re forced to leave. Without stable jobs or steady income, even a passing rainstorm brings not only flooding but also the anxiety of what tomorrow might hold. Sometimes, when things get especially tough, parents are left with no choice but to send their children to relatives, hoping they’ll be safer and better cared for.
Most residents do whatever work they can find—construction, janitorial jobs, sewing, vending—often earning less than minimum wage. When heavy rains flood the area, work dries up and so does their income. In this environment, planning for the future can feel impossible when just getting through the week is a struggle.
This is not an isolated story. Across the Philippines, 43% of urban dwellers live in informal settlements, and in 2023, more than 17 million people were counted below the poverty line. For families like Joyce’s, even a small shortfall each month can feel overwhelming when every peso is uncertain. While food packs, cash assistance, and even government relocation programs offer temporary relief, these quick fixes rarely address the deeper issues. In fact, moving families far from jobs and support networks can make it even harder to escape poverty.
What truly makes a difference is empowerment—practical support, financial education, and ongoing mentorship that help people build lasting solutions for themselves. Pure Bayanihan’s work in Meycauayan shows that with the right kind of help, families can break the cycle of poverty and spark hope that spreads throughout entire communities.
Joyce: Turning the Tide
Amidst this uncertainty is Joyce—a mother, a part-time massage therapist, and an aspiring baker. She and her partner juggle several jobs, but it’s never quite enough. Their home isn’t really theirs, and the constant threat of eviction looms large. At one point, they tried to save for a house of their own, but medical emergencies wiped out what little they had managed to put away.
Still, Joyce kept going. She baked rice cakes, mini pancakes, and other snacks to supplement their income, selling them to neighbors and friends. She dreamed of something better—not just for herself, but for her family and her community. Even when times were tough, she found ways to help others, sharing what little she had and encouraging her neighbors to hold on to hope.
Empowerment, Not Just Aid
This is where Pure Bayanihan stepped in, believing that real change comes from empowerment, not just charity. In partnership with a local church, Pure Bayanihan provided ₱228,000 in livelihood support to 24 families in Meycauayan. But this wasn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Each family received help tailored to their skills and needs—baking equipment for Joyce, a sewing machine for a mother caring for a child with autism, a food cart for another neighbor. Financial management seminars and ongoing mentorship ensured that the support would last beyond the initial handover.
For Joyce, this meant finally having the tools to turn her baking into a true livelihood. With a complete set of baking equipment and supplies, she could take more orders, try new recipes, and serve more customers. For the first time, she could control her income, save money, and plan for the future. The sense of relief and hope was immediate—and contagious.
When One Rises, All Rise
But Joyce’s journey didn’t end with her own family. With consistent income from her baking, she was able to do something remarkable: she helped pay off the community’s electric bill. For neighbors who had long struggled to keep the lights on, this was more than just a financial gesture—it was a sign that things were truly changing for the better.
Empowered by her success, Joyce began helping others, sharing what she’d learned and encouraging her neighbors to pursue their own dreams. She even managed to save enough to buy a small home for her family and open a sari-sari store in front of their house—milestones that once seemed impossible.
Joyce’s transformation from someone who needed help to someone who lifts others up shows what happens when support goes beyond quick fixes. Instead of creating dependency, the right kind of empowerment creates leaders who strengthen their entire community. Her story isn’t unique—it’s what becomes possible when families are given tools, not just temporary relief.
This is the heart of Bayanihan: when one person rises, the whole community is lifted. And it’s in these everyday acts of resilience and generosity that true transformation takes root—proving that sustainable empowerment, not temporary handouts, creates the lasting change that allows entire communities to build their own foundations of hope, even in the most uncertain places.
Join the Movement
Watch the episode below and experience the inspiring journey of Joyce and her community. Also, consider supporting Pure Bayanihan to help more communities break the cycle of poverty and build brighter futures together.
