THE SUCCESS STORY OF ANY-HAW LISTON MANOK

The story of Zaldy and Ruby dela Cruz, owners of Any-Haw Litson Manok in Bulacan, did not have a smooth smart as they struggled to pay their rent and send their children to school.

Zaldy, an engineering graduate, was initially lured by the promise of higher pay through overseas work in Saudi Arabia.

But after only one-and-a-half years abroad, he returned to the Philippines, jobless and without any savings.

Zaldy was forced to drive a tricycle while his then-pregnant wife tutored students for P50 an hour.

“Parang sabi ko nga, ‘come what may.’ Buntis ako noon at dahil maliit nga ang kita niya, nagtu-tutor din ako noon,” Zaldy’s wife Ruby told “My Puhunan.”

From being a tricycle driver, Zaldy took on a job as a technician for National Power Corporation (Napocor), but he still couldn’t make ends meet.

“Nangyayari talaga ‘yung delayed ka sa pagbabayad ng apartment at problema ‘yung tuition ng mga bata. ‘Paano ko iaahon ang pamilya ko,’ sabi ko. Ayoko ng ganitong buhay,” he said.

Zaldy took out a P100,000 loan from Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), and used P40,000 to pay off debts.

The couple then used the remaining P60,000 to start a small food business with 50 pieces of roasted chicken.

“’Yun kasing sister ko ay nagli-litsong baboy, para hindi kami magkompetensya pa, sabi ko sa kanya, ‘Sa iyo ang litson baboy, sa akin ang litson manok,’” Zaldy said.

The roast chicken immediately became a hit, and within six months, the couple was able to a bigger branch in Bulacan.

Today, Any-Haw Litson Manok sells around 500 whole chickens on peak days and has expanded to seven branches.

“Ang sa akin lang naman, kung ano ang binigay ng nasa taas, kailangan yakapin mo kasi minsan lang ‘yan eh. Kung ‘yan pinakawalan mo pa, baka hindi na ibalik sa iyo,” Zaldy said.

Through My Puhunan, the Dela Cruz couple was able to help Loida Fernandez, a food vendor who was forced to stop doing work due to an illness.

Aside from giving cash and food supplies, Zaldy and Ruby also taught her a recipe for pork barbeque that she can use for her business.

“Magsipag ka at sa negosyo, isama mo si God. Mahalin mo kung ano man ang binigay sa iyo, huwag mong samahan ng monkey business,” said Ruby.