Driven by dreams: Woman puts hours on the road to achieve her winning game plan
Goal setting is important. It gives us a semblance of self-mastery and puts our life in proper perspective. Goals energize us, too, and allow us to think beyond today, while we inspire others to achieve theirs, too. However, while GrabFood delivery-partner Angelica “Angel” Lopez of Bacolod City believes that goals are anchors that keep us grounded and focused along life’s path, she also knows that if one doesn’t plan and work hard enough to achieve them, they will remain as merely goals, something that’s beyond one’s reach.
For some people, Angel’s dreams may be simple—to purchase her own house and lot, march down the aisle with Ramiy Rick (her partner of 12 years), and see her niece and nephews graduate from school. But instead of starting with grandiose and overwhelming objectives, she began setting basic goals, determined to achieve them through a series of small steps, mapping out things that are manageable, reachable realities. Today, because of her dedication to her livelihood, her little list is slowly being ticked off and marked as “achieved!”
Angel puts in hours of hard work with Grab, beating the odds, motivated by her personal goals for the future. For someone who was used to working in a company for years, losing her job during the pandemic was not a welcome idea. “Sang una promo-diser ko sa isa ka cosmetics, dasun nag-Account Executive ako sa isa ka pharmaceutical company. Sang natabu ang pandemic, damo kami na-layoff, gulpi lang ko wala ubra. Amo to nga nagbaligya ko homemade siomai, gina-supply ko sa mga negosyante diri. Nag-sideline man ko bilang collector sa gamay nga lending company sang friend ko. Ga-motor lang ko pag-manukot adlaw-adlaw. Didto ko naka-idea kag naka-decide nga masulod sa Grab. Didto gid nagbag-o ang kabuhi ko (I used to be a Promodiser for a cosmetics brand, and as an Account Executive Head of a pharmaceutical company. When the pandemic happened, we were laid off from work, so I lost my job. I tried selling homemade siomai and supplying these to some entrepreneurs here. I was also doing sideline as a collector for a friend’s small lending company. I ride with my two-wheeled steed when I collect daily. From there, I developed the idea and decided to join Grab. That decision changed my life.),” the 30-year-old Ilongga recalled.
Angel initially faced challenges due to her non-professional driver’s license, but she remained determined to join the Grab family. “Gintinguhaan ko ya nga ma-solve ang problema, so four months before mag-expire ang license ko, nag-apply na ko dayun professional driver’s license para matuman ko ang handum ko nga mag-GrabFood delivery rider (I really did the best I could to solve the issue, so four months before my license expired, I immediately applied for a professional driver’s license so I could achieve my goal to be a GrabFood delivery-partner),” she said. Two days after she applied, Grab already informed her of the requirements, which she instantly complied with. And after four days, her application was approved. The process was surprisingly fast, Angel smiled, saying that it was as if the Universe conspired to make things happen and change her life for the better.
Over the past few years, Angel has always been immensely grateful for the opportunities Grab has provided. The sizable income she is currently earning has enabled her to help support her parents, and relatives. When her sister faced difficulties following a separation, Angel stepped up and took on the responsibility of supporting her nieces Jamaica (17, and currently in Senior High School) and Janea (13, and in Grade 8), and her nephew John Rich (a five-year-old Kindergarten pupil). “Mahambal ko nga daku-daku gid bulig sang Grab indi lang sa akon kag sa partner ko, kundi pati sa akon pamilya. Ang manghod ko gaubra diri sa food cart. Ti kulang gid ang sweldo nya sa pagkaon pa lang nila sa balay. Kay stable man kag daku ang kita ko sa Grab, ginabuligan ko siya para sa balon kag needs sang kabataan kung mag-eskwela. Kargo ko ina sila, kay daw mga bata ko na man na sila (I could say that Grab is a huge help not only to me and my partner but also for my family. My sister works in a food cart and her income is just enough for their food. Because I have a stable earnings with Grab, I help provide her children allowances and other school needs. I take responsibility for them because I treat them like my own children),” Angel explained, proudly sharing that one of her nieces will be starting college next year.
According to Angel, Grab did not only give her the opportunity to earn more than what she used to, but also taught her to be financially wise. “Ang na-learn ko gid kay Grab ang ensakto nga pagkapot sang income. Sa Grab, makita ko daily kung pila ang kita ko, so mabanta ko ang ginagasto ko, kag naga-save gid ko. Compared kung empleyado ko sang una, tingub ang sweldo, kinse-katapusan. Igu ko mabaton, husto ko man lang ibayad sa tingub nga utang. Nag-mature gid ko kay Grab, especially sa mga decisions ko sa kwarta. Siyempre, dapat lang mapisan ka mag-biyahe kung gusto mo nga may bunga ang imo sakripisyo (From Grab, I have learned to manage my earnings. We receive our earnings daily, so I adjust my day-to-day expenses, accordingly, making sure I have extra for savings. Compared to when I was an employee, I get my salary every 15th and 30th. By the time I received it, it was just enough to pay my debts and dues that had also accumulated. I have grown mature because of Grab, especially with my decisions regarding my money. But, of course, you have to work hard to enjoy the fruits of your sacrifices),” Angel shared.
In March 2024, Angel was handpicked by Grab and flown to Manila for a three-day all-expense paid trip, where she received a Certificate of Appreciation. “Overwhelming ang pag-stay namon didto kay na meet namon ang mga representatives sang Grab main office sa Manila kag ang iban pa nga mga representative nga delivery riders nga babaye, halin sa iban nga mga siyudad sa Pilipinas. Grabe ang ginhatag ni Grab sa amon tanan, ang stay namon sa luxury hotel sa Makati, may body massage and spa, plus unli-buffet, plus cash incentive/allowance (Our trip to Manila was overwhelming. We met representatives of Grab’s main office in Manila and other lady delivery-partners representing other cities in the Philippines. Grab gave us a lot, including our stay in a luxury hotel in Makati, body massage and spa, unli-buffet, plus cash incentive/allowance),” she shared. The event billed as ‘Babae Ako, Babiyahe Ako’ is Grab’s way of recognizing its lady GrabFood delivery-partners, in celebration of Women’s Month. As underscored in the certificate which Angel received: “Saludo kami sa iyong pagpapakita ng kagitingan at katapangan bilang isang Ka-Grab Lady Driver (We salute the way you have shown bravery and courage as a Grab Lady Rider). Angel could not thank Grab enough.
Further, with the help of Grab Loans, Angel has fully paid her motorcycle, as well as the 100-sqm lot she and her partner purchased in Woodstock, Barangay Tangub, Bacolod City. She has also slowly purchased some appliances and furniture for their new home. “Salamat sa Grab Loans, natapos ko bayaran ang motor ko two years ago. Last month, naimpas ko naman ang lote. Gapatindog na kami amat-amat sang balay didto and hopefully, sini nga tuig makasaylo na kami sang akon partner sa amon dream house. Asikasuhon na dayun namon ang kasal namon. Wow, sin-o bala magdumdum nga makuha ko ini tanan tungod lang sa Grab (Thanks to Grab Loans, I have fully paid my motorcycle two years ago, and just last month, I finished paying for the lot. Currently, we are starting to build our house there and hopefully this year, we can transfer to our dream house already. Then we will start planning for the wedding. Wow, who would have thought that I achieved all these because of Grab?),” Angel exclaimed in cheerful disbelief.
As most of her goals have been checked off the list, Angel sets new goals which include purchasing a new motorcycle and eventually, buying a car and applying it with Grab to maintain her income-generating capacity. And to other lady riders who want to follow this path, Angel has this to say: “Proud ako nga nangin GrabFood delivery-partner ako. Mas nagtaas ang confidence ko kag respeto sa akon kaugalingon halin sang nag-sugod ko sa Grab. So, kung gusto nyo man, himua. Kung nalab-ot ko ang tanan ko nga mga handom, kag more pa gani, I’m sure kamo man (I am proud to be a GrabFood delivery-partner. I have added confidence, and I have more self-respect now ever since I joined Grab. So, if you want to do it, just do it. I have achieved all my dreams, and more. I’m sure you can do it too),” Angel assured with a wink.
As human beings, it is essential to have goals and to work on them. Goals remind us that we all need somewhere to go, and something to hold on to. It keeps us afloat and thriving, despite the daily humdrum of living. Angel’s self-reflective journey has become meaningful because of her dreams and her willingness to take steps towards reaching them, every single day. She is a living proof that people succeed because they know where they are going, and they do things that they have never done before.
INQUIRER.net BrandRoom/JC
