A loving mother of five and a hardworking wife—an ideal woman, she is Jocelyn Bon. She works as a tailor in her own tailoring shop, a business she started as a graduate of Business Management while still managing to do her role as a mother. The people in their community and even those of their neighboring barangays have known her for her skills in altering, repairing, and making such the best clothing. Many customers patronized her business which made her earn Php 9,000.00 a month. Through this business, she and her employed husband were able to provide for their family.
It was the commemoration of All Soul’s Day in 2020 when a candle that supposedly gives warmth to sorrowful hearts became the source of fire disaster in Road 12 NDC Compound, Sta. Mesa, Manila. The small fire grew bigger and burned everything that hindered its way. The people’s screams out of fear could be heard even by the dead that day. Many families have lost their homes and properties. Sadly, Jocelyn’s family was one of them. The marks of mental anguish and despair that the fire brought were visible in Jocelyn’s and other families’ eyes. Despite this trial, she and her family remained firm and strong with the help of the government and even other victims who showed camaraderie.
After some validation, assessment, passing all the requirements needed, and as one of the fire victims in Barangay 628, she qualified and gratefully received Php 20,000.00 Seed Capital Fund from the Sustainable Livelihood Program of DSWD. Using the Seed Capital that she received, she bought clothes and a second-hand sewing machine to continue working as a tailor. By the grace of God, she was blessed with an opportunity when her husband’s company, C’scor Global Intertrade Corporation, was in need of tailors who could help sew their product.
She undoubtedly grabbed the opportunity and was chosen to be one of the tailors of The Buds and Blooms’ Breastfeeding Relief Donuts, a comfortable warm compress specially fitted for breastfeeding mothers. The product was designed to be put on the mother’s breast before nursing to help increase breast milk production and let the milk flow easier.
Because of hard work, sacrifices, resourcefulness, and ambition, she is now enjoying the fruit of her labor. Her business earns an estimated income of Php 30,000.00 a month and is even able to rebuild a three-story house and save in her savings account. She also became an instrument to help her other family members by providing them with means of living.
Jocelyn was once just one of those mothers whose ambition is to give her family a better life, but because of her sacrifices, she was able to gradually make it come true.
“Ang ambisyon ay hindi natin makakamtan, kung walang sakripsyo. Patuloy lang tayong sumubok, patuloy lang tayong lumaban. Kung nasunog man ng apoy ang ating mga pangarap at ambisyon sa buhay, tumayo ka at buoin itong muli. Alam kong mahirap ang mangarap pagkatapos mawalan, ngunit laban lang! Hindi tayo nag-iisa.” (“Ambition cannot be realized without sacrifices. Just keep on trying, keep on fighting. If the fire burned our dreams, stand up and build it again. Dreaming from nothing is not that easy, I know. But fight! We are not alone.”) she stated.
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