Author: Janelle Lorzano

Despite being a wife, mother and a vendor, this 32-year-old woman from Cebu surely did not forget her dream to graduate from college! Liezel Nudalo Formentera enrolled under the Alternative Learning System in 2012. She then continued studying in college in 2018. In 2022, Liezel graduated with a degree in Bachelor of industrial Technology Major in Computer Technology at the Cebu Technological University last August 31. “Wala po pala talagang edad sa edukasyon. Grabeng saya ko po. Hindi ko po sukat akalain na matagumpayan ko po ang mga pangarap ko. Hindi ko po sukat akalain na dininig ng mahal na…

From an eight square-meter road side coffee shop established in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, this couple from Kalayaan, Laguna managed to expand their business to accommodate 100 dine-in individuals. “We started in December 2020 with no sitting capacity. As in it’s just takeout place or coffee shop. Since nag-start kami nang walang sitting or table talaga or sitting areas, may mga queue. So medyo mahaba na ‘yung line. So kailangan, siguro ‘pag nag-aantay sila, may uupuan sila,” owner Isabella Ragaza told The Philippine STAR. During that time, the couple did not think about expansion at all since they…

“Age doesn’t matter in establishing your own business. Use your time wisely because time is moving very fast and time is precious because you’re 13 right now and maybe in a blink of an eye, you’re 20. You’re an adult na.” Age is indeed not a hindrance to establish one’s dream business! This teenager from Baguio City proves that with passion and determination, anything is possible! 13-year-old Given Mendoza did not think that her fan-girling would be the way to make her dream business a reality. “It inspired me to sell because I’m a fan of BTS po. So I…

These siblings found a way to show support to their sister who was recently diagnosed with stage four Diffused Large B Cell Lymphoma. Last July, Jo Sebastian along with her other sister and a family friend decided to go on live as they share their 30-year-old cancer-stricken sister Mirabai’s journey while shaving their heads together. “Actually nagstart ‘yun nung, nung nalaman namin nadiagnose siya with cancer. Sabi ko, “Okay if magpapashave, if kailangan magshave,” actually before pa siya magdiagnose sabi ko, “Okay if magshashave ka, if kailangan mo magshave makakalbo ka, I’ll shave with you,” Jo told The Philippine STAR.…

They say that destiny is not a matter of chance but really a matter of choice. This 24-year-old man is a living proof to that! After 16 years, Liam Paelmo was able to reconnect with his childhood friend, Argie Gregorio, thanks to social media. “Kasi meron kaming isang mutual friend, which is dun ko siya nakita kasi ‘yun nagpost siya ng picture nila so parang ako nacurious na kung siya na ba ‘to kasi antagal naming walang communication talaga so ang nangyari, inadd ko siya sa Facebook pero parang gusto ko lang as friends kasi antagal nga naming hindi nagkakilala,”…

This father from Batangas couldn’t help but become emotional upon learning on the day of the ceremony that his daughter was set to graduate as cum laude. Daughter Rizalyn Cabanig Colipano said that she decided to surprise her father to show her appreciation for his hard work for their family. “Nalaman ko po na cum laude po ako nung kukuha po ako ng togaDi pa rin po siya nagsisink-in sa utak ko kasi di po talaga ako makapaniwala. Di ko po kaagad sinasabi sa kahit kanino po family members ko, wala po akong pinagsabihan,” Rizalyn told The Philippine STAR. “Nung…

This 25-year-old man is currently making his name on social media platform TikTok after sharing different experiences and answering questions related to the death care industry. Apparently, many netizens got curious about what is happening inside the morgue after a death of an individual. “Naisip ko lang po talaga kasi kapag nagbabalsamo ako maraming tanong eh. Sobrang daming tanong na nangyayari sa, sa isang embalmer pag nakaharap sa patay dahil nga po diba may issue ang embalmer na ginagalaw ang patay,” Licensed embalmer Ferdinand Malgapo Jr. told the Philippine STAR. “Gusto ko malinawan ang tao na, hindi naman namin mapagkakaila…

This woman proves how important trusting the process whether in life or career. 24-year-old Danica Lynne Casta is a product of pandemic graduation. She finished a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering and Management degree from the MAPUA University. “Dream ko talaga siyang maging engineer kasi ‘yung dad ko is engineer. So bale do’n ako na encourage na maging engineer din and naging look-up ko din siya. Nag decide ako no’n na mag-apply bago ako mag fulltime kasi lockdown tapos kaka graduate ko [lang], hindi ko alam kung pa’no ako magi-i-start. Sa engineering kasi dito sa Philippines talaga ang hirap…

Despite his disability, this man made sure to donate 80 boxes of crayons to students of Calizo National High School in Aklan during the first day of face-to-face classes. The teachers were shocked upon seeing the donations! Apparently, Chris saved money for almost two and a half years to buy the school supplies. “He used to come here to school or elsewhere, humihingi po ng tig-five pesos lang. Five pesos lang po ma’am. Kung bibigyan mo siya ng sampu, hindi siya tatanggapin, lima lang talaga. Kung kulang naman ‘yung five pesos, hindi siya aalis unless ma-complete ‘yung five pesos talaaga.…

This entrepreneur from Laguna proves that if there’s a grill, there’s a way to success! Before the COVID-19 pandemic, MJ Loleng started a unique business which only began with a vision paired with her passion to provide jobs and help the environment. In 2019, she established Ecobriqs, a coconut charcoal briquettes made out of coconut shell waste. It became an instant hit especially with the rise of different Samgyupsal restaurants. She was able to earn six figures on her first business. “Ecobriqs started [at] year 2019. Actually zero ‘yung naging puhunan ko for that business. As in wala talaga akong…