Where hard works meet hope

Edrian B. Banania – Senior Writer OIC

Csrcar, Cebu- Mary Jane Lauganas, 53, prepares hot, home-cooked meals for customers at her eatery in Carcar, Cebu.
While most kids were just trying to survive high school, 15-year-old Mary Jane Lauganas was already figuring out how to make a living. She spent her days helping hermother with their vegetable wholesaling , a hands-on experience that shaped the rest of her life.
Decades later, Mary Jane, now a 53-year-old single mother from Carcar City, Cebu, is still using the entrepreneurial skills she learned from her mother to put food on the table.
That early taste of hard work led her straight into the thick of Cebu City’s busy Carbon Market, where she dove headfirst into wholesale vegetable trading. Her family sourced produce from Mindanao, bringing in bulk shipments, managing inventory, and supplying local sellers.
For Mary Jane, the market was always more than just a place to earn. It was a lifeline and the foundation that allowed her family to build a life together.
Learning to survive the ups and downs
Running a small business is not easy, and Mary Jane has faced challenges like spoiled stock, sick livestock, and tight money that caused real problems. But quitting is not an option for her. When things get tough, she perseveres.
She works non-stop all day. In the morning, she works at MGL Fried Chicken, the roadside food stall named after her initials. She serves fried chicken and home-cooked ulam to regular customers. When she is not at the counter, she is at the public market selling her homemade chorizo or out back feeding her pigs.
Her piggery is much smaller now after the African Swine Fever wiped out almost all her livestock, leaving her with just three pigs. It was a heavy loss, but Mary Jane adjusted and managed to keep the business going.
Taking a chance on CARD
Mary Jane’s path crossed with CARD MRI Rizal Bank back in 2012 when a loan officer stopped by her neighborhood.
At first, she was hesitant. She is naturally cautious, especially when it comes to money and debt. But the loan officer saw her work ethic and convinced her she could manage a microloan.
Looking back 14 years later, Mary Jane is glad she took the leap.
Her first loan was just PHP 10,000, which she used to restock her livestock feed and support her rice trading. By paying back every peso on time, she built a strong relationship with the bank.
Fast forward to today, she holds an active PHP 100,000 loan used for home improvements and as business capital. Manageable interest rates and flexible repayment terms meant she could reinvest her profits instead of just paying interest.
One of her biggest milestones came when she saved enough to buy a second-hand multi-cab. It was not a luxury. It was a workhorse that allowed her to haul inventory and scale up her daily logistics.
A mother driven by family
Mary Jane works hard for her family.
As a single mom raising a 16-year-old, stability is everything. But her vision has always extended beyond her own household. She wanted to make sure her siblings had the educational opportunities she never had.
Thanks to their shared sacrifices, one sibling graduated with a degree in architecture, while another completed computer studies. For Mary Jane, seeing them succeed makes every hard day worth it.
Looking ahead
Today, Mary Jane’s business continues to thrive. Day in and day out, she happily serves her loyal customers with her signature fried chicken, hot cooked dishes, and everyday market staples.
Now, she is planning to return to Carbon Market in Cebu City to resume wholesale produce trading, expand her market stall, and grow her fried chicken venture.
She is not chasing overnight wealth. She just wants to build something steady, a business resilient enough to weather bad seasons and keep supporting her family.
“Don’t be afraid. Just start and keep moving forward,” she says when asked what advice she would give to others hesitant to launch a business.
She is also firm about respecting your financial obligations.
“Paying back what you owe on time is not just a chore,” she adds. “It builds trust. If you maintain good credit and partner with an institution like CARD, doors open up for you.”
At 53, Mary Jane could easily rest on her laurels. Instead, with a warm smile for every customer who stops by her stall, she still plans her next move, one daily decision at a time.