The Architects of Hope: How three Nanays are redefining the ‘Ilaw ng Tahanan’ persona
Women have always played a critical role in the Filipino family, even more so now as we see more and more Nanays functioning not just as a caring and loving parent but also as providers and even a source of strength and support for their community.
ASA Philippines, a leading microfinance institution dedicated to alleviating poverty with over 2.4 million women microentrepreneur clients nationwide, puts three strong women in the spotlight who have redefined what ‘Ilaw ng Tahanan’ means – at least in their respective communities.
ASA Philippines, a leading microfinance institution dedicated to alleviating poverty with over 2.4 million women microentrepreneur clients nationwide, puts three strong women in the spotlight who have redefined what ‘Ilaw ng Tahanan’ means – at least in their respective communities.
From solo parent to community pillar
Nanay Saada Balabagan, a proud owner of a motorcycle parts store in Cotabato City, serves as her community’s reliable adviser for all their financial and familial concerns.
Nanay Saada Balabagan, who hails from Cotabato City, has risen to become a central figure in their neighborhood. An ASA member for 12 years, Balabagan utilized an initial Php 4,000 Murabahah Financing to establish a motor parts business in Barangay Rosary Heights VI that has steadily grown over the years and enabled her to accumulate additional savings.
This single parent always carried a heavy burden due to her circumstances, nevertheless she continues to have an influential voice in her community, which includes fellow ASA members. Balabagan said she’ll never turn down her neighbors’ pleas and would go above and beyond what’s expected of her to get them the help they need.
At present, she operates a passenger van and a multi-cab, which she frequently utilizes to assist neighbors with emergency transportation to hospitals. Beyond her business success, Balabagan has become a mentor to others in her neighborhood, offering life advice and helping families navigate government agencies for financial aid.
“Pag may lumalapit sa akin para humingi ng tulong, ‘yun po ang napaka fulfilling para sa akin. Kung may na-o-ospital, sa akin sila lumalapit. Kahit wala akong maitutulong na financial, ako ang naghahanap ng ahensya para mabawasan ang bill,” said Balabagan. “Kung may emergency at kailangan nila ng sasakyan para makarating sa ospital, lumalapit sila sa akin. Hindi ko ito ipinagdadamot lalo na’t proud ako na ang sasakyang iyan ay naipundar ko sa tulong ng ASA.”
“Kung may mga kapitbahay na may problema, dito sila lumalapit sa akin. Hindi lang pera ang dahilan kundi mga advice din kasi alam nila na may experience ako sa buhay na hinahangaan nila.”
Her son Jehad – a former scholar of ASA’s Tertiary Education Assistance program – now operates his own motor parts store, enabling their household to have a self-sufficient income.
Leadership in the highlands
LPG distributor Nanay Lourdes Arce juggles her responsibilities as her family’s caring mother and her community’s trusted kumare.
Nanay Lourdes Arce’s motherly duties aren’t confined to the four walls of her Baguio City home. Balancing domestic duties with her business in Barangay Camp 7, Nanay Lourdes has become a guiding voice for her fellow mothers in their community.
“Ang pagiging ina po ay napakahirap. Bilang isang ina, kailangang masiguro na naayos ang mga pangangailangan ng aking mga anak. Sa paghahanda ng araw-araw na pagkain, mga malinis na damit na isusuot nila nang maayos, lalo na sa pagsamba tuwing Linggo,” said Arce. “Minsan, takbuhan din po ako ng mga kapwa Nanay ko para mapayuhan sa personal at sa mga suliranin nila sa kanilang mga anak dahil mas matanda at mas may karanasan po ako sa kanila. Sa payo po, laging isinasama ko po ang Panginoong Diyos para po sa gabay na mas maayos at makabuluhan.” “Hindi man po kalakihan ang loan ko sa ASA, kahit papaano ay natutulungan nito ang mga magulang na kagaya ko. Nakapagbigay rin po ako ng payo sa mga kasama ko tungkol sa kung paano gamitin nang wasto ang kanilang perang nakukuha sa ASA.”
When the 2020 lockdowns disrupted her livelihood, she secured additional capital from ASA to keep her business afloat and ensure her son, Alden, could continue his education. By the end of 2025, Arce had accumulated her own savings, thanks to ASA’s capital build-up program. She now spends a significant portion of her time advising peers on disciplined resource management and the importance of microinsurance for long-term security. “Malaking bagay po na andiyan ang ASA. Kung sa ibang tao ako hihiram, araw-araw ang bayad at nakaka-stress po dahil malaki at mabigat ang interest, unlike po sa ASA na lingguhan at nakakatulong din po para sa capital ng aming negosyo,” said Arce. “Ang laking tulong po ang naibigay ng ASA kasi napalaki ko po ang budget sa pang araw-araw na bilihin at nababayaran po namin nang maayos ang aming bills. Naibibili ko po ang anak ko ng mga kailangan niya sa school at nababayaran ko po sa oras ang mga gastusin sa pag-aaral niya.”
Cultivating local community growth
Nanay Glen Paparon, a sugarcane business owner, is proud to lead her thriving business and guide her community in any way she can.
In Dumarao, Panay, Nanay Glen Paparon manages a thriving sugarcane plantation that serves as an economic anchor for her area. Serving as a group leader among her fellow ASA members, Paparon provides a space where her group not only honors their weekly loan payment obligations but also connects with one another through life updates and tips on how to better run their respective small businesses. “Ang maipagmamalaki ko bilang isang nanay, ay nagagampanan ko ang aking obligasyon sa aking pamilya at naibibigay ko ang kanilang pangangailangan. Kung anumang tulong ang kailangan nila sa akin, handa ako laging magbigay gabay o anuman,” said Paparon.
“Natutulungan ko ang aking mga ka-miyembro o kapitbahay sa abot ng aking makakaya. Kung may kailangan man silang tulong, hindi ako nag-aatubiling magbigay ng ayuda. Nagiging tagapayo na rin nila ako pagdating sa concerns namin sa ASA.”
Paparon added that it would be impossible for her to thrive financially or be in the position she’s in without the help of ASA Philippines Foundation.
“Malaki ang naitulong ng ASA Philippines sa akin, hindi lang pinansiyal kundi pati kung paano palaguin ang aking kabuhayan sa pamamagitan ng tamang paghawak ng pera. Ang mensahe ko po sa mga miyembro ko ay maging responsable sa mga desisyong ginagawa at maging maingat sa paghawak ng puhunan,” said Paparon, who also availed of ASA’s microinsurance program last year.
Paparon, who took an initial loan of P8,000 from ASA as additional funds for her sugarcane plantation, maximized ASA’s programs to the fullest. In her succeeding cycles, she qualified for subsidiary loans such as water sanitation and home financing programs which she used to renovate her home and improve her household’s water facilities. Apart from the foundation’s loans, Paparon also felt ASA Philippines’ care in the aftermath of calamities and in helping her children go through school.
“Malaking ambag po ang ASA sa pagpapaunlad ng aming kabuhayan pati na rin po sa pagpapaaral ng mga anak ko,” said Paparon. “Nakakatanggap din po ako ng cash assistance pag may calamity, at nagagamit ko po ito bilang pambili ng dagdag na pagkain.”
Growing Hope among Nanays
Their stories demonstrate that when financial barriers are removed, the Filipino “Nanay” thrives and naturally moves toward uplifting those around her.
“Given the proper resources and support, our nanays have shown that they have the agency to establish more dignified lives for their families and community,” says Rapa Lopa, President and CEO of ASA Philippines. Inspired by their leadership roles in the family and the community, we in ASA make it our business to find ways and means to help our nanays fuel their own ambitions and dreams. Beyond being our clients, our nanays are our partners in pursuing our shared aspiration of changing lives for the better. Together, we grow hope in them and enable them to pay it forward by being a light for others.
Through the combination of grit and strategic support, Nanays Saada, Maria Lourdes, and Glen are proving that the most effective way to strengthen a nation is to invest in the women who lead its communities.