The Pandemic Did Not Stop Me From Pursuing My Dream Business

By: Commission on Filipinos Overseas

“Believe in your dreams and do whatever it takes to achieve them because, someday, all your hard work will be rewarded.” This mantra holds true for Mr. Ariz Arciaga, a former Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), who shared his inspiring journey through the CFO PESO Sense Facebook page as part of the #PESOSenseIponChallenge. A dedicated follower of the CFO PESO Sense program since 2015, Arciaga’s story exemplifies perseverance and hope amid life’s many challenges.

In February 2020, Ariz and his wife returned to the Philippines after years of working in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. With a portion of their savings, they planned to start a business. However, their dreams were put on hold when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, leading to nationwide lockdowns. Despite their best efforts, their savings began to dwindle. Yet, instead of giving in to despair, the couple remained determined, continuously seeking new business opportunities.

Their first attempt was a barbecue business, but like many ventures during the pandemic, it struggled and had to close after just three months. Undeterred, Arciaga and his family refused to lose hope. With their last P1,500, they pivoted to a motorcycle delivery service with Lalamove and used the remaining funds to buy Korean food products such as kimchi and nori. They began selling these items door-to-door, slowly building their customer base. What started as a small, desperate attempt to make ends meet turned into a thriving business. Over time, they became direct distributors and importers of the very products they once sold locally.

The setbacks they faced didn’t break their resolve; instead, they fueled their determination to achieve a better life in the Philippines. Their dream was not just about financial success but about the possibility of retiring comfortably in their own country. Throughout their journey, they found guidance and inspiration from the daily tips and stories shared by the CFO PESO Sense Facebook page. Today, Arciaga and his family are living proof that with perseverance, faith, and resourcefulness, Filipinos can succeed at home. In fact, they now earn more than the combined salary they once made as OFWs in the UAE.

Their story is a powerful reminder that pursuing your passion and refusing to give up can lead to financial freedom, even in challenging circumstances. Starting a business in the Philippines offers a path not only to personal success but also to staying close to loved ones and building a life without the need to seek opportunities abroad.

The #PESOSenseIponChallenge, which began in 2014, is a savings trend launched by the CFO PESO Sense Facebook page. It invites followers to share their personal savings stories, highlighting how the page has helped them achieve their financial goals. Since its inception, the challenge has garnered thousands of success stories, becoming a viral movement for Filipinos looking to improve their financial literacy. The challenge has been featured on national television shows such as Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho, ANC on the Money, and Bandila, further promoting its impact.

CFO PESO Sense is part of the Philippine Financial Freedom Campaign, a program led by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO). Its mission is to enhance financial literacy among OFs and their families by promoting wise spending, increased savings, and entrepreneurship. By empowering Filipino recipients of remittances to manage their finances better, the program plays a critical role in helping Filipinos achieve economic independence.

Today, the PESO Sense Facebook page has grown into the Philippines’ leading financial literacy advocate, boasting 3.8 million followers. With an average weekly reach of 10 million and 3 million engagements, it continues to inspire and educate Filipinos worldwide about the importance of financial planning and savings.