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OVP's Mag Negosyo Ta 'Day Continues to Empower Filipino Entrepreneurs Across the Country; LGBTQIA+ Community Among the Priority Sectors.
In the bustling streets of Barangay Tablon, the hum of a hair dryer and the aroma of home-cooked ulam are more than just sounds and smells of commerce. They are the sounds of local talent finally breaking through the invisible wall of institutional financing.
In many Filipino communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals are the creative and economic drivers. They are the indispensable hands we trust to transform a neighbor into a radiant bride or turn a simple gathering into a memorable celebration. While their talent is unquestioned and their services are always in demand, these entrepreneurs often hit invisible walls when trying to scale. Without traditional collateral or properties to offer banks, many find the gates to formal financing firmly shut.
In Cagayan de Oro, entrepreneurs like Vanessa, Bree, and Chyster are proving that when these invisible walls to financial inclusion are broken, small businesses don't just grow—they soar.
The Glow-Up: Vanessa and Bree
Vanessa’s lifelong dream wasn’t just to work in a salon; she wanted to lead one. She launched Senyorita Salon with a set of shears and the trust of her neighborhood. To take her business to the next level, she tapped into the Office of the Vice President’s Mag Negosyo Ta ’Day (MTD) program, receiving ₱15,000 in venture capital.
Today, Senyorita Salon has grown from a personal project into a professional hub.
“Malaking tulong po ang ibinigay sa akin ni VP. Nakatulong ito para lumago ang salon ko at nakatulong din sa iba pang LGBT members na may skills sa salon, makeup, at gown styling, (The support from the Vice President was a big opportunity for me. It helped me grow my salon and has benefited many LGBT members skilled in salon services, makeup, and gown styling.,)” Vanessa shared.
Nearby, fellow grantee Bree used her MTD funding to swap basic supplies for high-end products. By investing in professional-grade equipment, she transformed her salon from a neighborhood standby into a premier destination for beauty services, proving that her business was a "legit" enterprise worthy of investment.
“Malaking tulong po ang MTD financial assistance kasi naka-invest po ako sa high-end products na nag-level up talaga sa salon ko, (The financial assistance really helped me invest in high-end products that elevated my salon.)” Bree said.
The Expansion: Chyster’s Kitchen
Perhaps no story captures the "MTD effect" quite like Chyster’s. What started as a modest neighborhood sari-sari store has evolved into a full-scale retail and catering powerhouse. Chyster didn't just add items to her shelves; she quadrupled her menu and scaled her inventory to meet the community's demand.
“Dahil sa tulong ng OVP, lumago ang business ko. Mula sa maliit na tindahan, nakakapag-release na kami ng 12 sacks ng bigas at supplier na rin kami ng softdrinks. Yung ulam namin dati, apat na variants lang, ngayon dose na po, (Thanks to the OVP program, my business grew from a small store to a supplier of 12 sacks of rice and multiple soft drink products. Our menu also expanded from four viands to twelve.)” Chyster explained.
Bridging the Capital Gap
The Mag Negosyo Ta ’Day program recognizes that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. By providing inclusive financial backing to those typically overlooked by traditional banks, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) ensures that entrepreneurs like Vanessa, Bree, and Chester have the legitimate start they need to scale.
Their success is a testament to a simple truth: when you give a hardworking Filipino the tools and the capital to succeed, they don't just build a shop; they build a future for their entire community.
In many Filipino communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals are the creative and economic drivers. They are the indispensable hands we trust to transform a neighbor into a radiant bride or turn a simple gathering into a memorable celebration. While their talent is unquestioned and their services are always in demand, these entrepreneurs often hit invisible walls when trying to scale. Without traditional collateral or properties to offer banks, many find the gates to formal financing firmly shut.
In Cagayan de Oro, entrepreneurs like Vanessa, Bree, and Chyster are proving that when these invisible walls to financial inclusion are broken, small businesses don't just grow—they soar.
The Glow-Up: Vanessa and Bree
Vanessa’s lifelong dream wasn’t just to work in a salon; she wanted to lead one. She launched Senyorita Salon with a set of shears and the trust of her neighborhood. To take her business to the next level, she tapped into the Office of the Vice President’s Mag Negosyo Ta ’Day (MTD) program, receiving ₱15,000 in venture capital.
Today, Senyorita Salon has grown from a personal project into a professional hub.
“Malaking tulong po ang ibinigay sa akin ni VP. Nakatulong ito para lumago ang salon ko at nakatulong din sa iba pang LGBT members na may skills sa salon, makeup, at gown styling, (The support from the Vice President was a big opportunity for me. It helped me grow my salon and has benefited many LGBT members skilled in salon services, makeup, and gown styling.,)” Vanessa shared.
Nearby, fellow grantee Bree used her MTD funding to swap basic supplies for high-end products. By investing in professional-grade equipment, she transformed her salon from a neighborhood standby into a premier destination for beauty services, proving that her business was a "legit" enterprise worthy of investment.
“Malaking tulong po ang MTD financial assistance kasi naka-invest po ako sa high-end products na nag-level up talaga sa salon ko, (The financial assistance really helped me invest in high-end products that elevated my salon.)” Bree said.
The Expansion: Chyster’s Kitchen
Perhaps no story captures the "MTD effect" quite like Chyster’s. What started as a modest neighborhood sari-sari store has evolved into a full-scale retail and catering powerhouse. Chyster didn't just add items to her shelves; she quadrupled her menu and scaled her inventory to meet the community's demand.
“Dahil sa tulong ng OVP, lumago ang business ko. Mula sa maliit na tindahan, nakakapag-release na kami ng 12 sacks ng bigas at supplier na rin kami ng softdrinks. Yung ulam namin dati, apat na variants lang, ngayon dose na po, (Thanks to the OVP program, my business grew from a small store to a supplier of 12 sacks of rice and multiple soft drink products. Our menu also expanded from four viands to twelve.)” Chyster explained.
Bridging the Capital Gap
The Mag Negosyo Ta ’Day program recognizes that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. By providing inclusive financial backing to those typically overlooked by traditional banks, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) ensures that entrepreneurs like Vanessa, Bree, and Chester have the legitimate start they need to scale.
Their success is a testament to a simple truth: when you give a hardworking Filipino the tools and the capital to succeed, they don't just build a shop; they build a future for their entire community.
Nagsimula sa maliit na negosyo ngunit kalaunan ay mas lumago. Ito ang kuwento ng ilan sa mga miyembro ng LGBTQIA+ community at Mag Negosyo Ta ’Day (MTD)
grantees mula sa Cagayan de Oro City—patunay na walang imposible sa pag-abot ng tagumpay.
Pangarap lamang noon ni Vanessa—ang entrepreneur sa likod ng Senyorita Salon sa Barangay Tablon—ang magkaroon ng sariling negosyo. Dala ang determinasyon, paniniwala sa sarili, at tiwala sa kanyang kakayahan, sinubukan niyang magtayo ng sariling salon. Naging katuwang niya rito ang Mag Negosyo Ta ’Day program ng Tanggapan ng Pangalawang Pangulo, kung saan nakatanggap siya ng ₱15,000 bilang karagdagang puhunan.
“Malaking tulong po ang ibinigay sa akin ni VP. Nakatulong ito para lumago ang salon ko at nakatulong din sa iba pang LGBT members na may skills sa salon, makeup, at gown styling,” saad ni Vanessa.
Ginamit naman ni Bree—isa pang MTD grantee mula sa Cagayan de Oro City— ang natanggap na livelihood grant mula sa Tanggapan sa pagbili ng de-kalidad na kagamitan at produkto para sa kanyang beauty parlor.
“Malaking tulong po ang MTD financial assistance kasi naka-invest po ako sa high-end products na nag-level up talaga sa salon ko,” paliwanag ni Bree.
Samantala, ang dating simpleng sari-sari store ni MTD grantee Chyster ay mas lumago na ngayon. Hindi na lamang mga sabon at iba pang pangunahing pangangailangan ang kanyang binebenta, kundi pati masasarap na mga ulam na swak sa panlasang Pinoy. Nagsu-supply na rin siya ng soft drinks sa kanilang lugar.
“Dahil sa tulong ng OVP, lumago ang business ko. Mula sa maliit na tindahan, nakakapag-release na kami ng 12 sacks ng bigas at supplier na rin kami ng soft drinks. Yung ulam namin dati, apat na variants lang, ngayon dose na po,” ani Chyster.
Ang Mag Negosyo Ta ’Day program ay kumikilala sa talento at kakayahan ng mga Pilipino—ngunit hindi lahat ay nabibigyan ng pagkakataon. Sa tulong ng inklusibong suportang pinansyal mula sa Office of the Vice President (OVP), nagkakaroon ng pagkakataon ang mga negosyanteng tulad nina Vanessa, Bree, at Chyster na makapagsimula at mapalago ang kanilang kabuhayan.
Ang kanilang tagumpay ay patunay ng isang mahalagang katotohanan: kapag nabigyan ng tamang kagamitan at puhunan ang isang masipag na Pilipino, hindi lamang siya nagtatayo ng isang negosyo—nagbubukas siya ng mas maliwanag na kinabukasan para sa kanyang pamilya at buong komunidad.
grantees mula sa Cagayan de Oro City—patunay na walang imposible sa pag-abot ng tagumpay.
Pangarap lamang noon ni Vanessa—ang entrepreneur sa likod ng Senyorita Salon sa Barangay Tablon—ang magkaroon ng sariling negosyo. Dala ang determinasyon, paniniwala sa sarili, at tiwala sa kanyang kakayahan, sinubukan niyang magtayo ng sariling salon. Naging katuwang niya rito ang Mag Negosyo Ta ’Day program ng Tanggapan ng Pangalawang Pangulo, kung saan nakatanggap siya ng ₱15,000 bilang karagdagang puhunan.
“Malaking tulong po ang ibinigay sa akin ni VP. Nakatulong ito para lumago ang salon ko at nakatulong din sa iba pang LGBT members na may skills sa salon, makeup, at gown styling,” saad ni Vanessa.
Ginamit naman ni Bree—isa pang MTD grantee mula sa Cagayan de Oro City— ang natanggap na livelihood grant mula sa Tanggapan sa pagbili ng de-kalidad na kagamitan at produkto para sa kanyang beauty parlor.
“Malaking tulong po ang MTD financial assistance kasi naka-invest po ako sa high-end products na nag-level up talaga sa salon ko,” paliwanag ni Bree.
Samantala, ang dating simpleng sari-sari store ni MTD grantee Chyster ay mas lumago na ngayon. Hindi na lamang mga sabon at iba pang pangunahing pangangailangan ang kanyang binebenta, kundi pati masasarap na mga ulam na swak sa panlasang Pinoy. Nagsu-supply na rin siya ng soft drinks sa kanilang lugar.
“Dahil sa tulong ng OVP, lumago ang business ko. Mula sa maliit na tindahan, nakakapag-release na kami ng 12 sacks ng bigas at supplier na rin kami ng soft drinks. Yung ulam namin dati, apat na variants lang, ngayon dose na po,” ani Chyster.
Ang Mag Negosyo Ta ’Day program ay kumikilala sa talento at kakayahan ng mga Pilipino—ngunit hindi lahat ay nabibigyan ng pagkakataon. Sa tulong ng inklusibong suportang pinansyal mula sa Office of the Vice President (OVP), nagkakaroon ng pagkakataon ang mga negosyanteng tulad nina Vanessa, Bree, at Chyster na makapagsimula at mapalago ang kanilang kabuhayan.
Ang kanilang tagumpay ay patunay ng isang mahalagang katotohanan: kapag nabigyan ng tamang kagamitan at puhunan ang isang masipag na Pilipino, hindi lamang siya nagtatayo ng isang negosyo—nagbubukas siya ng mas maliwanag na kinabukasan para sa kanyang pamilya at buong komunidad.