Rowena Tabar

Mrs. Rowena Tabar, who is fondly called as Mam Merlyn by her family and friends, is an owner of a carenderia that is just right beside their home along the side road of Sta. Catalina, Zamboanga City.

 

Oftentimes, she and her husband would go the wet market in their town to look for a live pig, which usually is butchered for lechon or roast pig – a common Filipino dish for grandeous occasions such as fiesta, weddings, birthdays and the like. But for the couple, they purchase it to sell different cuts of pork meats during weekends. They think of it as another significant source of income where locals could just buy in menudo (retail) and prepare them in many ways. She started the business since she got married and until now, at 47, this is still the same business that made her and her family survived through the years.

 

Her purpose is clear - to give her family the gift of convenience. She realized that it isn’t enough to just bring food on the table. When it rains, she glances at the roof as the rain water is making its way out of those large, horrid holes from the ceiling dripping down to floor. The water overflowed; the toilet clogged; and there’s a fear of tripping the circuit breakers. The sound of the water leaks, the light beam that passes through the holes, and that dilapidated thing did not make her comfortable.

 

Whenever she looks at it, she remembers how her children would have loved the memories of the rain instead of despising when it came. She knew there must something she needed to do. She thought about it so many times but she didn’t know how to make it done.

Yes, it’s the comfort room and it’s her main thing.

 

On a usual weekend, she came across with an idea and knew where she was heading to.  She went straight to KCCDMFI – A Microfinance NGO in Zamboanga City that provides financial assistance to its members and other development initiatives on the ground making significant role and impact to its community.

 

Merlyn was able to avail of a loan with KCCDMFI in the amount of Php 25,000.00, payable in 6 months for the re-construction of her old comfort room, which has turned their household into a whole new level of light and comfort. She feels dignified, proud that she has done so much with so little.

 

She knew that she made the right decision, as she has been anticipating the rainy season and how her children would feel about it.

 

It’s not only the food that she cooks that makes beautiful memories but this time, it is also the convenience of their own comfort room, as it will always be a main thing.

 

For Merlyn, the rain may soon come, but the fears have long been gone.