This project is made possible by the generous support of our partners at Uma Nota Manila.
What if being a single parent wasn’t a barrier to success, but the very foundation for building something extraordinary?
In San Quintin, Pangasinan, 48 single parents refused to let their circumstances define their futures. Instead of accepting poverty as their reality, they chose to unite, dream, and create something that would change not just their lives, but their entire community. Through Pure Bayanihan’s Single Parents Grocery Store project, these determined individuals have transformed struggle into strength, proving that sustainable livelihoods can bloom even in the most challenging circumstances.
Read on to discover how these parents turned their daily battles into a thriving business, and how their journey from survival to sustainability is creating ripples of hope throughout their community.
When Every Day is a Battle
For years, these single parents carried burdens that would break most people. Rosalie shares her reality: “It’s incredibly difficult because I’m the only one supporting my child, and I also have to care for my elderly parents. What makes it even harder is when people look down on you—especially your own relatives. Despite all our struggles, they still find ways to put you down. I’m just a laundrywoman, but I keep going.”
Meanwhile, Shanely describes the exhausting routine that defines single parenthood: “I leave home at 3 in the morning and don’t return until 8 at night. By the time I get back, my children are already asleep. I still have to cook dinner, and they eat at 9 o’clock. Then the next morning, it starts all over again.” Despite the hardship, her hope never wavered: “I tell my children to be patient. The day will come when we’ll have something better.”
These stories aren’t unique—they represent the reality of single parents in San Quintin, each fighting their own battles while raising their families.
The Turning Point: An Idea Born of Real Needs
The transformation truly began when Ms. Roma Madrigal, leading the San Quintin Single Parents Association with support from the MSWDO and PESO, sat down with the solo parents to ask what kind of livelihood would work for them. They were candid: their time was stretched thin, balancing work, childcare, and household duties. Most couldn’t commit to a full-time business or daily side hustle.
That’s when the solo parents thought of a livelihood that could meet a wider community need and unite them: a community grocery. A store could be managed in shifts, allowing each parent to contribute what time they could. They would share both the responsibilities and the rewards—dividends from profits, plus the practical benefit of shopping for their own families at a discount. The grocery store would not only fit their schedules but also meet a real need in the community.
Building Together: From Vision to Reality
With this shared vision, the Association moved from being a support group to becoming a collective force for change. They organized, registered, and—with the help of the LGU—secured a location for the store. Members worked together to renovate the space, install shelves, and set up their new business. Pure Bayanihan and the 104th Maneuver Company RMFB1 provided funding, while the LGU offered the space and electricity for the first year. This was more than a business launch; it was a community coming together to build a foundation for lasting financial independence.
Before opening the store, the single parents became students of entrepreneurship. They attended training sessions on bookkeeping, inventory management, costing, and pricing—skills that many had never learned before. These sessions were more than just practical lessons; they were gatherings where parents shared stories, built confidence, and discovered new possibilities for themselves and their families. Each training was a step away from mere survival and toward a future where they could thrive.
More Than Survival—It’s Empowerment
The grocery store operates from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Saturday, with members working in coordinated shifts that fit their other responsibilities.
Members benefit from special discounts on their purchases, creating a cycle of mutual support. Income is thoughtfully allocated: 35% to capital and maintenance, 35% to dividends for members, 20% to an emergency reserve, and 10% to community services. This ensures the store’s success is shared and sustainable.
As Marcelo, a single father, puts it: ‘This lifts a huge weight off my shoulders. It gives me additional income and helps me provide for my children’s needs.’ Abelina adds, ‘I want this business to grow. Even while working my other job, I’m willing to open the store at 5 AM and close at midnight. I’ll do whatever it takes to make it successful so I can finally have some savings.
Meeting Challenges as One
Managing inventory and preventing spoilage demanded teamwork and discipline, so the group established every Friday as inventory day and implemented a strict first-in, first-out system. Ensuring consistent participation could have been a struggle, but instead of penalties, the association fostered a positive culture by rewarding active members with greater dividends. This approach encouraged everyone to contribute, building a sense of ownership and pride in the store’s success.
The association also maintains robust financial systems: a dedicated bank account, straightforward bookkeeping, monthly audits by PESO, and regular meetings for transparency. Together, they have created not just a business, but a strong foundation for shared growth.
From Storefront to Movement
The results of their collective effort soon became clear. According to Ms. Roma Madrigal, the store quickly earned the trust and loyalty of the community—serving LGU staff, churchgoers, and residents alike. During fiestas and municipal events, the association is given stalls to expand their reach and income.
What truly sets the store apart is not just its spotless, air-conditioned space or the quality of its branded goods at competitive prices, but the pride and care invested by its members. Built and managed by people who have turned adversity into opportunity, the store stands as a testament to their resilience.
Looking ahead, the association envisions even greater things: expanding into more barangays, welcoming new solo parents, and helping each member eventually run their own sari-sari store. With ongoing training, new partnerships, and a commitment to mentorship, the impact of this project is set to ripple far beyond San Quintin—proving that with unity and vision, even the toughest challenges can become stepping stones to a brighter future.
Shanely sums it up: “I’m so grateful to PESO for helping us domestic workers and those in need. Even this small opportunity allows us to fill the gaps in our family’s needs. Because of your support, we can provide better for our families.”
More to Come
This project shows that sustainable change happens when communities are empowered to help themselves. The San Quintin Single Parents Grocery Store isn’t just feeding families—it’s fueling dreams and setting a model for sustainable livelihood that others can follow.
As Pure Bayanihan continues its mission to create one million sustainable livelihoods, the story of these single parents stands as a powerful reminder: poverty isn’t permanent—it’s just a starting point for something extraordinary.
Join us in supporting more communities like San Quintin. Together, we can turn struggle into strength, and dreams into sustainable livelihoods.
