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Cruise ship worker starts chili garlic oil business after losing his job amid pandemic


A cruise ship worker started a chili garlic oil business to earn some income amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

According to JP Soriano's  report for "24 Oras," Arbie Endrinal, 28, is among the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) who lost their jobs as economies ground to a halt.

He used to earn P40,000 a month, which he wired directly to his mother to support his family. His sudden unemployed status, however, caused him to worry for his future.

"Syempre wala na kong pagkukuhanan eh," he said. "Iniisip ko lahat—pano 'yung family ko, pano 'yung mga bills, 'yung mga bayarin ko."

READ: Cruise ship waiter starts mobile palengke amid lockdown: 'Wala po dapat arte... basta kumikita'

But Arbie found something which he can do as livelihood. Because he likes spicy food, he got the idea to create his own chili garlic oil and sell it online.

With the help of a friend who has already setup an online food business, the venture started with a capital of P10,000.

"Ayoko kasi din namomroblema din sila na alam mo na 'yun, na sobrang depressed and then 'yung pressure sa kanila na wala kaming work," said Princess Subion, Arbie's friend and business partner.

READ: Cabin steward becomes grill king to earn income amid quarantine

They sell a bottle of chili garlic oil for P100 pesos.  The first 10 boxes sold out and the venture took off from there, with now over 100 boxes sold and more orders to fill.

Within two months, their earnings rivaled Arbie's salary on the cruise ship. They also helped other OFWs who lost their jobs by tapping them as resellers.

Jay Santos, a seaman who also found himself out of work amid lockdown, eventually joined them in the business.

"Nag-go rin ako para makatulong na rin sa kanila and then at the same time magkaroon din ako ng source of income," he said. —MGP, GMA News

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