A Woman Entrepreneur’s Journey as a Testament to Empowered Possibilities
In a town where opportunity can feel as distant as the mainland, Maria Cecilia “Matche” M. Sanchez built her own path forward, one business at a time.
At 49, Matche lives in Barangay Libis, Culion, Palawan, where she manages multiple family-run ventures, from a photo-printing shop to a lodging house and a vending machine business. But her journey has been far from ordinary. Living with the long-term effects of polio and now reliant on a wheelchair, Maria faced challenges that might have discouraged others. Instead, she chose to lead with determination, resourcefulness, and the quiet strength of someone who sees possibilities where others might only see limits.
Surviving on One Fragile Business
Before opportunity knocked, Matche’s family ran a modest photo-printing shop, their only source of income. The returns were meagre. Lacking capital, they couldn’t upgrade their equipment or expand into other ventures.
“It was really hard in the beginning. We were just earning enough to get by, and we couldn’t start any new business,” she recalled.
But Macthe had one advantage many didn’t have, that is, a legacy of inspiration. Her parents, once aided by CFI, passed on to her not only their family business but also the knowledge of where to turn when the tide needed changing.
The Turning Point
It was through CFI’s Assistance to Small Enterprise Development Program (ASEDP) that the wheel began to turn for Matche, both literally and figuratively.
Having known CFI’s impact on students and small business owners since her college years, Matche finally took the step to apply for assistance.
“I am truly grateful for the trust they gave me. They didn’t focus on my condition as a PWD, but instead on the potential of my business,” she shared.
Through ASEDP, Matche received a loan that became the seed for significant transformation. She was able to upgrade her photo-printing services with a new laptop, invest in a small ice cream business, and later, venture into a Starlink Wi-fi vendo machine, school supplies, perfumes, etc., diversifying her family’s income streams.
Beyond the Loan
But CFI’s help didn’t stop with the financial assistance.
“CFI doesn’t just lend money. They support us through training, they use our catering services, and they even rent our lodging space,” Matche emphasized.
The support was hands-on, grounded, and deeply personal. Through their partnership, Matche was able to furnish her family’s lodging house with new mattresses, fans, linens, and towels — enhancements that improved customer satisfaction and increased profitability.
And perhaps most touching of all, she now has a greater capacity to fund her father’s medical needs, a tangible testament to how business growth can ripple through personal and family life.
Matche is far from alone in this endeavor. Her husband stands by her as a business partner, and together, they employ several staff to run the different ventures.
“At first, I really thought my condition would be a hindrance. I wondered how I could even start a business if I couldn’t move around freely. But by God’s grace, I found a husband who was willing to support me. Because of that, I gained the courage to manage our family business and even build new income streams with him,” she said, reflecting on the emotional hurdles she’s had to overcome.
Her story speaks not only of business success but of dignity, perseverance, and community resilience.
Impact of ASEDP in Numbers
Matche’s success story is just one among many that demonstrate the wide-reaching impact of the CFI’s Assistance to Small Enterprise Development Program (ASEDP). In 2024 alone, the program disbursed a total of ₱23,627,000.00 across its areas of operation, supporting both new and existing small entrepreneurs. In Culion Island, ₱13,012,000.00 was provided to 14 new and 76 continuing beneficiaries, while in Coron, ₱10,615,000.00 reached 6 new and 78 ongoing clients. The program also extended ₱995,000.00 to beneficiaries in other areas, covering 3 new and 12 existing participants.
Overall, ASEDP has maintained 240 active clients this year. Of these, 135 have active financing support, while 105 are savings-only members, underscoring the program’s dual role in enabling access to capital while cultivating a culture of saving and financial responsibility. These figures reflect more than just financial assistance, but they represent livelihoods revived, opportunities unlocked, and communities uplifted through sustained and inclusive enterprise development.
Big Plans Ahead
Matche isn’t done yet. With her sights set on expansion, she dreams of acquiring a binder machine to create personalized notebooks, a new printer for T-shirt and mug printing, and more enhancements to their lodging house.
“My vision for our businesses is big. I want to grow our photo-printing shop by investing in new equipment like a binder machine for personalized notebooks that we can market. I also want to buy a new printer and materials for T-shirt and mug printing. We used to do that before, but the printer broke down. Lastly, I want to continue improving our lodging house with better equipment and amenities,” she said with conviction, a businesswoman not only surviving but thriving.
Her Message to CFI
“First of all, I would like to thank CFI for launching the ASEDP program. They’ve helped so many people in different aspects of life. Many have already succeeded, and many more are on their way to success. I am truly grateful for the trust they gave me and for allowing me to be part of the ASEDP program. It has made a huge difference in our business and in my life as an entrepreneur. I hope this program continues, not just for people like me, but for those who are just starting and hoping to succeed in life. Thank you very much to everyone behind CFI.”
Matche’s story is a reminder that while capital may start a business, it is trust, partnership, and belief in human potential that truly build it. And thanks to CFI’s ASEDP, that belief is now becoming a shared reality for many in Culion and beyond.