Plates of Hope

By: Edrian Banania

Lipa City, Batagas- Gemma Sanchez, 54, from Lipa City, Batangas, once dreamed of finishing her studies, but like many others, life had other plans. At 20, she chose to build a family of her own. Today marks 34 years of marriage.
She and her husband did whatever they could to make ends meet. Over the years, they tried different ways to earn money, from small sidelines to running a school canteen, where they served cooked meals and snacks to students.
As their family grew, so did their need for a more stable source of income. This led Gemma to start a small eatery at home. What began as a simple setup gradually became a steady source of livelihood, offering home-cooked meals to people in their community.
In 2005, her neighbors introduced Gemma to CARD SME Bank, Inc., a thrift bank under CARD MRI. At first, she was simply curious about what it offered, especially the insurance services. Later, she decided to become a client—a decision she would come to appreciate over the years.
“Malaki ang naitulong sa akin ng CARD, lalo na kapag nangangailangan ako ng pandagdag puhunan para sa aking negosyo,” she said.
Running a business for two decades was never easy. There were days when customers were few and earnings were uncertain. Like any small entrepreneur, Gemma had to deal with both personal and financial challenges along the way.
Despite everything, Gemma kept going. She learned to be patient, to adjust, and to make the most of what she had. Giving up was never an option.
“Sa pagnenegosyo, hindi palaging malaki ang kita. May mga pagsubok kang kakaharapin na hindi dapat sukuan. Tuloy lang! Hindi pwedeng sumuko. Try lang nang try hangga’t may puhunan,” she shares, hoping others can learn from her experience.
For Gemma, success is not just about income. It’s about being able to continue, provide for her family, and hold on through life’s uncertainties, one plate at a time.