Round up Calabarzon

Start small, Build strong: Lessons from the Donques’ Ice Cream legacy

Zen Trinidad (POV) I May 22, 2026

IN Valencia, Bukidnon, Sherilyn and Mario Donque has proven that a modest livelihood can grow into a resilient future. Their story started with a simple ice cream cart and a shared routine: Mario sells from morning to early evening, while Sherilyn manages the home and preps the next batch. Rain or shine, slow days and good days-they keep moving.

“Business is really important because your income becomes something you can depend on when needs come up,” Sherilyn says.

What turned their steady effort into sustainable growth was access to the right support. In 2019, Sherilyn became a client of CARD, Inc. (CARD MRI), a microfinance NGO that helps ordinary Filipinos start and strengthen small businesses. Her PHP 50,000 loan now buys raw ingredients so production never stalls. Previous loans also renovated their home-proof that a small business can lift an entire household.

Their journey offers a clear path for anyone ready to start a livelihood:

•Start where you are. You don’t need a big storefront-just a product people want and a reliable routine.
•Lean on teamwork. Split roles that play to your strengths so work flows smoothly every day.
•Plan for the ups and downs. Slow seasons happen; keep going and protect your cash flow.
•Get the right support. Microfinance can provide the capital you need to buy ingredients, tools, or make small upgrades.
•Think steady, not spectacular. Consistent growth builds resilience and security over time.

If a humble ice cream cart can become a family’s foundation with hard work and smart support, your idea can, too. Explore microfinance options like CARD MRI, start small, and build a livelihood that feeds your family and your future-one step, one sale, one day at a time.

Center for Agriculture and Rural Development Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI) is a group of mutually reinforcing institutions with a common goal of eradicating poverty in the Philippines. It is a world-class leader in microfinance and community-based social development undertakings that improves the quality of life of socially-and-economically challenged women and families towards nation building. (With reports from Josephine Ramos, Junior Writer CARD MRI)

CARD MRI contributed photo shows Sherilyn and Mario Donque stand proudly beside their humble ice cream cart, a business that provides for their daily needs.

Laguna expands free healthcare access with MRI, Dialysis Centers

Zen Trinidad I April 27, 2026

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna - Governor Sol Aragones championed Laguna's healthcare transformation Monday, inaugurating a free dialysis center at General Juan Cailles District Hospital in Pakil town while announcing free MRI services at Laguna Medical Center (LMC) in Santa Cruz town starting August.

Aragones led the dialysis center opening with the Laguna Health Team under Dr. Eric Tayag and Provincial Health Office led by Dr. Odilon Inoncillo. This third free dialysis facility serves Pakil and neighboring towns, cutting costs and travel for regular treatments.

Patients receive half a sack of rice monthly as added support.
Pakil Mayor Ronald James Hidalgo expressed strong backing for bringing essential medical services closer to communities.

In a separate Facebook Reels announcement, Aragones revealed LMC's upcoming free MRI services.

"MRI is equivalent to life for Lagunenses. For a long time, some have scoured far and wide just to pay for an MRI," she said.

Both initiatives under her "Gobyernong may Solusyon" banner ease financial burdens, boost early detection, reduce referrals, and strengthen provincial healthcare delivery through her fresh perspective philosophy. (RC)







Photo by Laguna PIO