Aided by YouTube tutorial video, jeepney driver’s P1k capital now a P40k/month food business

When jeepney driver Neil Serrano lost his job in March due to the coronavirus pandemic, he knew he had to find other ways to generate money.

Having sold bananas and chocolates and worked as a delivery courier in the past, there was nothing Serrano wasn’t game to do to feed his family.

“Siyempre nagugutom kami. Kailangan gumawa ka ng paraan para mabuhay. Lahat ng tao nagtitinda, ba’t di ka magtinda?” he said.

With a 1,000-peso capital and knowledge of how to make yema spread which he learned from YouTube, Serrano ventured into food business.

After pouring hours into making jars of yema spread, he has grown his income to P40,000 a month.

Serrano also expanded the menu to include chocolate and cookies and cream spreads in just two months.

“Sobrang thumbs up po talaga ‘ko sa pagiging madiskarte ni Neil kasi wala siyang hindi kayang gawin,” said Lina, Serrano’s partner who also lost her job in Taiwan amid the pandemic.

Serrano made sure to bring all his loved ones along with him in his success.

His relatives, former classmates, and friends are now resellers of his products.

When he has the chance, Serrano also shares some of his blessings to his fellow jeepney drivers.

“Sa mga kasamahan kong drayber, ‘wag kayong mawawalan ng pag-asa,” he encouraged. “Matatapos din ‘to. Magtiwala tayo sa Diyos, matatapos ‘to sabay sabay tayong makakaahon dito.” -Julia Mari Ornedo/MDM, GMA News