Like the kernels of corn that endure heat, pressure, and time yet remain full of potential to grow tall and strong, Chella Baraquel—a corn vendor from San Vicente North, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro—embodies survival and resilience in both life and business. From a simple kariton they built themselves to a permanent stall in the public market, Chella and her family transformed their humble beginnings into a lasting livelihood.
At an early age, Chella learned the values of perseverance and self-reliance. She had to leave school due to family circumstances, reaching only the third year of high school, which pushed her to work and support herself. She left home at age 16 and took on various jobs: household helper in Manila, contractual factory worker in Laguna, and cashier and waitress in Batangas. Each role sharpened her work ethic and strengthened her determination to persevere.
When she returned to Oriental Mindoro in 2007, fate introduced her to Jeffrey Casalla, who later became her partner. Together, they faced the daily challenge of making ends meet. With little to no capital, they began selling root crops and fruits—such as singkamas and rambutan—using a kariton they built on their own.
By 2009, they shifted to selling corn, which soon became their steady source of income. Without a fixed supplier, they learned to adapt, constantly finding ways to keep their stall running. Their persistence helped them meet customer demand and support their growing family.
But in 2014, everything changed. A series of financial setbacks hit them hard, draining their business capital and even their daily funds for food and basic needs. With nothing left to sustain the business, Chella made the painful decision to work abroad as a domestic helper in Egypt. Unfortunately, she also faced hardships there. After experiencing maltreatment and abuse, she was forced to return home after only a few months.
That same year, Jeffrey became a client of CARD Bank, a microfinance-oriented rural bank, and applied for a Php 5,000 loan to revive their corn business while Chella was abroad. In 2015, when Chella returned home for good, she also became a member of CARD Bank and took out another Php 5,000 loan to help expand their small enterprise. Slowly, they began rebuilding what they had lost.
By 2016, their perseverance began to bear fruit. They were able to rent a stall at the Calapan City Public Market while continuing to sell at the night market. Their stall became a familiar sight, offering a variety of corn cobs. They also continued selling from their kariton, which they had upgraded into a more durable food cart. Step by step, they nurtured a simple yet thriving business that continues to sustain their family.
Their livelihood enabled them to send their children to school. Their eldest is now a nursing student in college, while the younger two are in senior and junior high school.
Then came the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020—perhaps their most formidable challenge yet. Lockdowns halted their selling, their savings ran out, and they were forced to sell their tricycle just to survive. Before the pandemic, they had taken out a nearly Php 80,000 loan from CARD Bank to expand their business. That loan ultimately became their lifeline, helping them continue selling in nearby neighborhoods and covering their daily expenses. After restrictions eased, they gradually repaid the loan while rebuilding their livelihood.
With only limited resources left, they started over with just two sacks of corn. Steadily, they earned and saved until their business regained strength. They expanded their offerings to include peanuts, boiled corn, and buttered corn. Eventually, they were even able to purchase a new tricycle—slowly recovering what they had lost during the pandemic.
