Natividad Monreal, 58, is a resident of Pantukan, Compostela Valley. Few years back, she was looking for a banking institution to finance her piggery and sari-sari store. She failed, however, to present a collateral. She also tried borrowing from moneylenders but it did not thrive. Until she met the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development […]

Inclusive financing. For seven years now, Elizabeth Pongcol (left), a farm owner from Pantukan, Compostela Valley, has been a client of Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD), Inc. (A Microfinance NGO). Their membership in CARD, Inc. helped them in maintaining the viability of their three-hectare farm filled with lanzones, mangoes, guavas, and durian, among […]

Many people dream of starting their own business, being an entrepreneur as they say. There may be a few people who are up to this challenge, two of these chosen few are clients of Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD), Inc. (A Microfinance NGO) – Mercy Narbay, 31 and Zilla Gasal, 52, both from Pantukan, Compostela Valley. Mercy […]

CARD SME Bank opened a branch in Cagayan de Oro City on April 23, 2018. The newest branch is located in the heart of the metropolis along Pabayo street near the corner of Cruz Taal. This is the bank’s 26th branch after inaugurating its Rosario, Batangas branch a week ago.    “This is our 26th branch and we will […]

The teachers of CMDI-Tagum campus with the guest speaker and the institutional heads of CARD MRI during the photo opportunity after the graduation, April 17, 2018. CARD-MRI Development Institute (CMDI) recognized the exemplary performance and service of its teachers in Tagum Campus during the graduation ceremony of Senior High school on April 17, 2018. Anelyn […]

CARD-MRI Development Institute (CMDI) – Tagum Campus has been granted the license permit to offer its first bachelor degree in Entrepreneurship as formally announced by Dr. Jaime Aristotle Alip, Founder of CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI) and Chairman of CMDI, during the campus’ Senior High graduation ceremony last April 17, 2018 held at the […]

  “I am now old and growing older and older every day; even my hair almost fully turn its color into white. But I am now happy to see my family staying stronger together,” said Marites Gabato, with a spark of happiness in her eyes. Marites Gabato, a resident from Nabunturan, Compostela Valley, is a 52-year-old mother of four, who worked as a fish vendor for almost 25 years. All of her four children were graduates in (vocational and degree courses). They all tried working overseas but eventually returned home to stay and join their parents in nurturing their business. “It’s their choice to stay here with me. I gave them the freedom to choose but they chose not to leave,” said Marites admitting that it made her happy. “At least now, we could make a living together and go to church as a family,” she added. Eleven years ago, Marites met the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD), Inc. (A Microfinance NGO), a social development organization that offers microloans to support the livelihood activities of the socio-economically challenged women and their families. In her 11 years as member of CARD, Inc., the institution has witnessed how she was able to successfully manage herbusiness. From an initial loan of PhP3,000, Marites can now avail a loan up to PhP100,000. Marites was also able to put up an eatery and bought a car, which they use in transporting goods to their respective clients. She was also able torenovate their house. Like any other stories, Marites also tasted the bitter season of life. Her husband had to go through a kidney surgery. The hospital bill and expenses were quite expensive. Luckily, Marites had availed of the hospitalization benefit or CARD Care offered by CARD Pioneer Microinsurance, the microinsurance arm of CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI) where CARD, Inc. is also a member institution. The benefit covers the daily hospitalization income benefits maximum of 15 days. “I always thank CARD for always being there for me in times of my success and uncertainties as well,” said Marites. With all the things Marites’s has gone through in life, she reminds us to be strong always. “We just need to stay stronger and whatever may happen, don’t lose hope in God because He’s always there, just a prayer away.”

A famous author, Rick Warren, once said, “humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.” This is indeed a hard thing to do when we center ourselves in what we want and what will make us happy. How will it be possible to think of ourselves less?According to Nelia Morales, 60, from Carmen, Agusan del Sur, being humble is not thinking of yourself as greater or higher than others, instead be sensitive to their struggles as well. Life is all about humility and positivity since we all need to overcome, other than that, we lose the battle. “I think humility is a virtue that each one of us should possess. My business grew a little but I always remind myself to be humble in any situation. And whenever I experience failure, I remind myself that it is only temporary, and it will soon pass,” […]

Only a few people found a way to smile in the middle of struggles. Rosemarie Sanda, 46, is one of the few whose positivity would not let anyone tell she has been carrying a burden all along. “Problems kept coming in my life, which affects the people I cared for. Nevertheless, I have a happy […]