“Maghulat while naningkamot” (Strive while waiting) – Anthony Solteo.
The household of Mr. Anthony Solteo is a Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiary from Purok 9, Brgy. Dona Andrea, Asuncion, Davao del Norte. The household has been active since 2010 under set 4C. Grantee was a vegetable farmer during his teenage years. He plants vegetables with his father to satisfy their basic needs. He was not able to get a college degree, but he strived hard until he finished a vocational course which is Automotive Mechanic. When he reached the age of 23, he got into a relationship with Mrs. Rodelyn Solteo who was then 15 years old. Rodelyn was also an undergraduate, but she managed to finish a Computer Literacy vocational course as well. They were blessed with two (2) lovely children named Trissha Shannen, a grade 11 student at Asuncion National High School, and Prince Annthon, a grade 5 student at Katipunan Elementary School.
Looking back when they were not part of the 4Ps program yet, it was so hard for them to cope with the daily struggles due to financial instability. Their house was made of bamboo wherein their living room, kitchen, and bedroom are all in the same area. Now and then they were problematic about where to find extra income just to provide for their everyday needs, especially their kids’. There were times that they did not have viand during their meal, but they always prioritized their children.
Indeed, they had been through a lot but despite of the catastrophes they faced, they remain strong and persistent to surpass all the challenges in their life, at the same time, they were also hopeful to be part of the government program for the poor which is Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
In 2010, they were already selling vegetables in the market. Shortly after, they were so blessed to be identified as one of the eligible households registered in the program. “Grabe amoang kalipay nga nakasulod mi sa programa sa 4Ps kay grabe gyud among pagpait ato nga panahon ug tungod sa 4Ps makahatag nami sa mga kinahanglanon sa mga bata ilabina sa mga gamit sa eskwelahan, balon nila, ug mga sanina pod. Mao gyud nay pinakaimportante sa amoa, nga madapat jud sa mga bata ang grants kay para man gyud na sa ilaha” (We are so grateful for the opportunity to be part of the 4Ps program, we really had tough times and because of 4Ps program, we were able to have additional support for our children needs especially in education), Mrs. Solteo said.
“Amoa gyud pangandoy sa kinabuhi kay magkabalay ug tarong, hayahay nga kinabuhi nga di na kailangan magkaboang ug pangitag kwarta kung naay kinahanglanon kaayo or emergency, ug ilabina ang mahatagan ug maayong kaugmaon ang among mga anak, mao gyud na among pinakapangandoy” (Our dreams in life is to have good house, abundant life wherein we do not have to find money anywhere whenever we have urgent needs or emergencies, and most of all is to give our children a good future.), Mr. Solteo added.
According to them, never in their wildest thoughts did they think of quitting their dreams because it is for their children, and they don’t want their children to experience the difficulties they had experienced.
In 2011, Mrs. Solteo worked as a saleslady in NCCC Mall Tagum for five (5) years while Mr. Solteo worked as a construction truck driver in Davao City only for a year because it was not his passion. He went back to their hometown in Brgy. Dona Andrea and continue farming. Because he was not able to claim the grants during the time that he was in Davao for work, he claimed it in full when he came back to Brgy. Dona Andrea and it has been of great help for them during those trying times. They allot the money for their children’s needs. That was when Mr. and Mrs. Solteo became more motivated to work for the other expenses and their children’s future.
“Mapasalamaton kaayo mi sa programa kay mao pod ni ang nahimong motibasyon para mas maningkamot pa, kay naa naman mi pangsuporta sa mga gamit sa bata, naningkamot napod mi para ang income namo magamit para sa uban pang kinahanglanon sa panimalay. Ang 4Ps gyud ang nahimong inspirasyon ug tulay nga hinay-hinay namong nakab-ot ang amoang mga pangandoy” (We are so thankful for the program as it also becomes the driving force for us to work hard, since we already have the additional support for our children coming from 4Ps, so this becomes an avenue to use our income for other necessities at home. The 4Ps program has been our inspiration and bridge to gradually reach our dreams). – Mr. Solteo.
As they had a lot of plans for their children, Mrs. Solteo decided to take the risk and worked as an Overseas Filipino (OFW) in Kuwait for four (4) years while Mr. Solteo was secretly pushing through his passion for growing grapes seedlings even though his wife was against it because she does not believe that it will grow here in the Philippines since this is a tropical country. However, as time passed by, Mr. Solteo proved his skills in farming and showed that he had green palms, so Mrs. Solteo encouraged and supported him in his craft.
Through their joint effort and perseverance, they were able to establish their grape vineyard in the year 2019. In 2020, she planned to go back home but a pandemic suddenly broke out, so it was postponed during those years their business was starting to earn enough income. As a result, when she came back home in the year 2021, they focused on marketing their product and tourist spot which they named “Khoys and Yhads”.
According to Mr Solteo, “Dako kaayo nga kalipay among nabati tungod kay hinay hinay na mi nga nakahaw-as sa kalisod ug isa gyud si 4Ps ang naging rason kung unsa nga pagpaningkamot among ginabuhat karon” (It gave us a lot of joy because we are starting to enjoy the life wherein we can already provide all our needs and 4Ps is one of the reason why we are inspired to work hard).
As they were expanding their business, a sudden natural catastrophe happened wherein their vineyard was submerged by flood last January 31- to February 2, 2024, which led them to temporary closure and proceeded to restore their loss. The Solteo’s Grape Vineyard was also accredited by the Agriculture Training Institute, the one that is helping them in the expansion of their business.
According to Mrs. Solteo even if they already have this source of income, they still need the 4Ps program since their children are still studying and they cannot foresee what will happen in the future. As 4Ps beneficiaries, they are still in awe of what they are experiencing right now compared to when they started being in the program, and that is why they are truly grateful for the program.
With that, Mr. Solteo left words of encouragement to all 4Ps and non-4Ps beneficiaries, “Maski ‘pag masulod na sa programa sa 4Ps kailangan maningkamot habang gapaabot nga moabot ang grants para gyud nga makaab-ot ang ginahandom nga pangandoy. Dili paman ni matawag nga success jud ang naa kanamo karon pero compared sauna, layo rajud kayo karon. Ug para sa ako, ang mga sekreto gyud pod sa paglambo kay ang Respeto, disipina, ug pagpaningkamot”. (Even if a certain household is already a beneficiary of 4Ps program, they still need to work hard while waiting for the grants to attain their goal for their family. What we have right now may not be called a great success but compared to the time before we became part of the program, I know we’ve already reached quite far. And for me, the secret to a fruitful success is Respect, Discipline, and Perseverance).
References:
- The Solteo Family
- Barangay and Local Government Unit of Dona Andrea Asuncion Davao del Norte
Article Written and Composed by:
Binalay, Mary May A.
Cansancio, Faith T.
Emnace, Jerrlyn E.
Romero, Kimverly B.
