Arcelita Anyayahan’s journey demonstrated the power of love
in overcoming obstacles.
At the age of 19, faced
with financial struggles,
she chose to manage her
uncle’s canteen instead
of pursuing her education. Little did she know
that this decision would
lead her to cross paths
with a 34-year-old man,
a frequent patron of the
canteen, who would
eventually become
her husband.
Despite the
significant age gap
and initial skepticism
from her husband’s
family, Arcelita’s determination and her
husband’s sincerity
prevailed. Their love
blossomed, breaking
down the barriers of
age and status. Their
commitment was evident not only to each
other but also to his
relatives, who eventually welcomed them
into the family.
As their
love story evolved,
so did their business
ventures. Starting
with a room-for-rent
business to meet the
needs of their growing
family, they now boast
33 well-maintained
rooms. Arcelita’s husband expanded their
transportation assets
by adding another
jeepney, bringing the
total to four.
Their business journey caught
the attention of
CARD Bank, a micro
finance-oriented rural
bank, which provided
crucial financial support. This partnership
not only assisted in
sustaining their business but also played
an important role in
ensuring the education of their three children, who are now actively involved in their
family enterprise.
Arcelita reflects on their journey
with gratitude, acknowledging both the
challenges and blessings that shaped their
path. Their perseverance has led to a life
filled with comforts – a
good home, multiple
cars, and an overall
sense of contentment.
“ L o o k i n g
back on every moment, I am thankful
for the blessings and
challenges. The road
here was tough, but
we endured, and I am
truly glad for the life
we have built,” Arcelita
expresses, capturing
the essence of a love
story that defied expectations and flourished against all odds.
