Mr. Raymundo Majadas was born in Palompon, Leyte where he finished his Elementary Education. He explored life opportunity and went to Mandaluyong City in 1994 and worked as a cook in an eatery where we met his wife. In 2002, they got married and are blessed with three (3) children. Unfortunately, in 2006 a problem came across the family and the married couple parted ways leaving the children under his care. Due to the family’s predicament, he stopped working as a cook to attend the needs of his children with his meager income.
The challenges they went through made him stronger as a man and father for his children. He became a cigarette vendor in 2007 where he earned 700 pesos a day. He bore the heat of the sun just to sell in different areas in Mandaluyong and sometimes, he even went to Divisoria just to earn enough to sustain their necessities.
It was a blessing in disguise when the Local Government of Mandaluyong City implemented the Anti-Smoking Campaign in 2008. Mr. Majadas shifted his source of income. He grabbed this opportunity and started a carinderia business with only Php3,000 capital. He offered different Filipino food for lunch and sometimes went around their Barangay to ensure that food are sold out. Due to a lot of competitors, he was forced to close his carinderia business and instead, ventured in selling accessories in 2010 with only Php2,000 as his capital. He bought accessories from different suppliers in Divisoria and borrowed money to continue his business which he proudly shared that still, runs up to now.
In 2013, his life started to change when he became part of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. According to him, being part of the Program has helped him especially in supporting the education of his children. He spent the remaining cash grants that they received as capital for their business which is their primary source of income. He shared that complying with the Program’s conditions is never a challenge for him. Attending in Family Development Sessions has helped him not just as a father but also a businessman. He added that the topic on Financial Literacy provided additional knowledge that he applies in their business. In 2017, through Sustainable Livelihood Program of the Department, he received Php10,000 as additional capital for their growing business which earns Php1,000 a day.
At present, his eldest child, Shiela Marie is already a second year college in Rizal Technological University, while his second child, Riva Menette (Grade 11) and the youngest, Kelly Hudson (Grade 9) are both studying in Mataas na Paaralang Neptalie A. Gonzales. He proudly shared that his children are academic achievers. After school, his children support him in their business. He added that they developed a deep sense of love for their family and the community by applying the lessons he learned from Family Development Sessions.
Last January 14, 2019, he was recognized as one of the “Successful Fathers” of Mandaluyong City during the Flag Ceremony. He received a cash award amounting to 10,000.00 pesos from the Office of the Mayor. This award is not only a success for Mr. Majadas due to its monetary value rather, the fulfilment felt on raising his children on his own.
He claimed that Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program changed him a lot as a person. Before, he became dependent in alcohol to release his frustrations and was also involved in gambling, but through the help of the Program, he was able to stop all of his vices. He is hoping for the Program’s continuous service for the Filipinos especially those who live in the margins of society.
“Marami pong Pilipinong katulad ko na halos wala ng pag-asa sa buhay ngunit dahil sa tulong ng Programang Pantawid Pamilya, unti unti, nakabangon ako kasama ang aking mga anak at sa patuloy na tulong, alam kong kakayanin na namin,” said Mr. Majadas. ###