In a humble food house tucked in the heart of Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, the aroma of home-cooked meals fills the air, inviting tricycle drivers, market vendors, churchgoers, and students to savor a warm plate of food. Behind the steaming pots and sizzling pans is Marichu “Bing” Bueno, a 47-year-old carinderia owner whose love for food became her ticket to a better life.
Bing has always been passionate about cooking. Though she never had formal training in cookery, catering, or baking, she found joy in experimenting with flavors, perfecting dishes, and sharing them with others. What started as a simple food stall evolved into a thriving small business offering not just daily meals but also party trays and baked goods – the Bingbueno’s Foodhouse.
Her journey wasn’t easy. Like many microentrepreneurs, she struggled with capital and resources to expand her business. But in December 2023, Bing received PhP15,000.00 Seed Capital Fund from the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 1 (DSWD FO 1) – Ilocos Region Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). With the said assistance, she expanded her food house, introducing meals on bilao, party boxes, and even venturing into baking.
Determined to improve her craft, Bing spends her free time watching cooking shows and video tutorials. She believes that success in the food industry is not just about skill but also about continuous learning and adaptation.
“Sa hirap ng buhay, kailangan natin maging ma-diskarte. Hindi porke’t nagkaka-edad ay titigil na tayong matuto. Ma-swerte ako at pinalad akong mabigyan ng SLP kaya mas lalo kong pag-iigihan itong aking negosyo (In life’s adversity, we have to resourceful. Growing older does not mean we should stop learning. I am fortunate and blessed to have received support from SLP, so I will work even harder to grow my business),” said Bing.
Her hard work finally paid off. From running the business alone, she now employs four kitchen assistants. Social media became her key marketing tool, allowing her to reach more customers and showcase her culinary creations. Orders pour in not only from Sarrat but also from adjacent towns, especially from families planning special occasions on a tight budget.
Beyond her passion for food, Bing is a woman of resilience and generosity. She personally delivers orders using her electric tricycle, ensuring that her customers receive their food fresh and on time. More importantly, she sees her business as a way to give back to the community. By providing affordable meals, she is not only sustaining her livelihood but also helping others have access to good food at reasonable prices—a gesture of gratitude for the support she received from the government.
Her journey with SLP does not stop with financial assistance. Recognizing her potential, the program continues to equip her with technical and entrepreneurial training, including an upcoming enrollment in the Department of Trade and Industry’s Kapatid Mentor Me Program. This opportunity will further enhance her business expertise, helping her sustain and grow her enterprise.
Through every meal she serves, Bing proves that there is no exact recipe for success—only a willingness to explore different flavors of life, whether sweet or bitter. She explained,“Gaya ng pagkain, ang tagumpay ay tungkol sa pag-aaral, pagsubok, at pagtuklas kung ano ang pinakamainam para sa iyo (Like food, success is about learning, experimenting, and finding what works best for you)”.
Bing’s story is a testament to the power of passion, not being afraid to fail, and always adapting. With every dish she prepares, she not only feeds her customers but also nurtures her dream of a better life—one meal at a time.
The SLP is a community-based program, which provides capacity building to improve the program participants’ socio-economic status. (by: Rogerio B. Bismonte III – Sustainable Livelihood Program)
