Realizing dreams in Tinapa’s smoke

By: Jireh Pearl Casionan

Mabitac, Laguna- In Nanguma, Mabitac, Laguna, one woman is busy preserving fish with flavors to produce products she will later sell in her town.

Sheryl Jamillo, now 46, is a mother of nine children and was a full-time housewife. For her, managing a household is not easy. But relying solely on her husband’s income made it even more challenging.

Faced with limited options, Sheryl took the courage to go beyond balancing the demands of family life to find a source of income. But having only reached her first year of high school, she found it hard to find a job that would also allow her to juggle her responsibilities as a mother. So, from everything she could offer, she tried starting a business. She started buying smoked fish (tinapa) and reselling it in their town.

In 2016, after being invited by her friend, Sheryl became a client of CARD, Inc. (A Microfinance NGO). Through the financial services she can avail herself of as a client, her business mindset also transforms.

Instead of just reselling smoked fish, Sheryl decided to learn how to process it herself. Using her first loan from CARD, Inc., she began setting up her own tinapa processing business. She embraced the hard work of sourcing good-quality raw fish, cleaning it, and mastering the art of flavoring and smoking. Over time, she was able to produce tinapa on her own.

Because Sheryl now processes her own tinapa, she was also able to elevate its taste, ensuring it’s all perfectly golden and flavorful. Customers have started recognizing her product and coming back for more. Aside from enhancing the flavor, Sheryl also puts effort into improving her tinapa’s appearance so it appeals to the appetite and attracts customers. “Kasi kung masarap nga siya, eh kung mukha namang madungis, hindi rin siya kaagad bibilhin (Because even if it tastes good, customers still won't buy it if it doesn't look presentable),” she said. For her, a good product needs to look just as good as it tastes.

For almost ten years, Sheryl has utilized CARD, Inc.'s loan services, including educational loans for her children's enrollment and studies, especially her fourth child, who is now entering college. She also availed of a housing loan to build their house in Brgy. Nanguma.

Challenges also came to her business, especially when sales were slow and when fish were expensive. In times like these, Sheryl can sustain it by taking additional loans to help her smoked fish business recover. Saving with the microfinance institution also helps her ensure
she has something to withdraw in times of scarcity.

Today, loyal customers continue to buy her smoked fish. Some store owners in the market also order wholesale from her. One loyal customer buys from her to resell the product abroad.

For all of this, Sheryl’s advice is simply patience and discipline. “Tiyaga lang (Just stay patient),” she said. “Tapos kapag mahirap ang panahon ng negosyo, e di konting tipid (And when business isn't doing well, it’s best to cut back some expenses).”

Just like the smoke curling upward from her tinapa, Sheryl started with a simple goal: to earn a living for her family. But more than surviving, she stepped up, thrived despite the market challenges, and learned to dream.

Sheryl plans to keep growing the business she built so one day, she can pass it down to her children.