“I come from a poor family. I know how your stomach could grumble when hungry and when you do not have enough money to buy from a store, much less from a grocery store.”
INSPIRED by the community pantry scheme that became popular and controversial during the Covid-19 pandemic, Alvin Esperida, a former overseas Filipino worker (OFW), put up a “kariton” business near his home hoping to earn and, at the same time, help provide affordable grocery items to his neighbors in Muntinlupa City.
Esperida stocked up his “kariton” with basic staples — coffee, sugar, juice, face masks, alcohol, canned food and noodles — as most grocery stores were closed, and he felt he had to do something to help out.
Forty-four-year-old Esperida wanted to earn his keep, but he also liked to help his kababayans in times of dire need. He decided to only add up a peso or two per grocery item.
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To his surprise, Esperida was swamped with people queuing up to buy from his “kariton” grocery.
“I come from a poor family. I know how your stomach could grumble when hungry and when you do not have enough money to buy from a store, much less from a grocery store,” Esperida said.
Esperida’s altruistic business sense has stemmed from the inspiration from his wife and daughter.
“In my younger years, our family was hard up,” he said, adding that this situation inspired him to help the poor.
It was his wife and daughter who, however, motivated him to put up a business with minimal profit.
No wonder that Esperida decided to target customers who are disadvantaged, those from the grassroots who do not have the means to buy from the big supermarkets.
Customers were literally running after him and, eventually, Esperida decided to rent a space, which used to be a car wash shop.
“I want everyone to experience grocery shopping,” he said.
In early 2022, Esperida officially launched “Bodega ni Tatay,” a makeshift warehouse club for the poor. The Bodega does not have air-conditioners to save on electricity.
It was perhaps providential that a vlogger made his way into his bodega so much so that his Bodega was full of people lining up to buy grocery items.
In the early days, the Bodega would open at 7 a.m. and close by 2 p.m. after stocks ran out.
Esperida then approached his suppliers and negotiated for rock bottom prices so he could fill up his Bodega. This approach paid off. Even while his profit is just for a few pesos per item.
“Bodega ni Tatay” became a huge success. Because of the growing number of people coming to his Bodega, Esperida is now earning six digits per month to think that his startup capital was a meager P40,000.
Before 2022 ended, he was able to acquire a truck, a family car and got to expand the warehouse display area, which he now leases for a longer period.
At the moment, Esperida has 23 staff assisting him from the only two people he had (including his wife and a staff member) when he started his business.
The “Bodega ni Tatay” owner is proud to have also developed “kabuhayan packages” for OFWs worth P50,000 and P100,000.
I wanted to share my blessings with my fellow OFWs, he said. Esperida is assisting OFWs to set up their own businesses selling grocery items with the products he sold them wholesale and at lower prices.
Apart from OFWs, he and his family would also prepare Noche Buena packages for the poor.
The poor communities continue to inspire the Esperidas.
“It warms my heart when people thank me for selling them goods at reasonable prices. This is why I treat everyone in my Bodega as my own children,” he said.
But while business has been positive, he and his family had to adjust to the demands of having a bodega/grocery business. There were times that his only daughter begged him and wife to consider slowing down.
Esperida persevered. He is one person who does not easily give up.
When asked about any challenges he encountered in his business? He said that challenges have turned out for the better. He was faced with the question as to how he could sustain the business. He said that he continued to work hard.
“I did not feel the financial challenges as I had saved up enough funds while working in the Middle East,” he said as he only “rolled up” funds from his bodega business. He is one entrepreneur who does not put all eggs in one basket.
His story is a success story in itself as he carved a life as a supervisor in Kuwait. He was not lucky at his first attempt in applying for an overseas job. He, however, managed to work as a civil supervisor and assumed different roles as site supervisor to architectural superintendent overseeing fellow workers from the Philippines and from other countries. But then the pandemic came, and he was left with no choice but to go home.
Alvin Esperida started Bodega ni Tatay with a startup capital of P40,000. The business has since been raking in six digits a month.
Contributed photos
Alvin Esperida started Bodega ni Tatay with a startup capital of P40,000. The business has since been raking in six digits a month. Contributed photos
As an OFW, he experienced how it was not to be with his family, and his bodega business paved the way for him to spend more quality time with his wife and daughter.
“Now, I got to spend more time with my family and earn decently,” Esperida said.
Plans for the future
As a newbie, he is still learning the ropes of the business.
Esperida is studying how to set up a franchising business and how to further set up other “Bodegas ni Tatay” in other parts of the country.
More than making his life better, what is more important for Esperida now is to remain honest and fair with everyone.
“Bodega ni Tatay” is not just about making money but about giving access to basic goods to the vulnerable communities at reasonable prices. Esperida’s mantra in life is to keep on going.
“No success is gained if one stops from doing,” he said. Apart from the values that he maintains, he is grateful to the Almighty for the blessings he continues to receive. Esperida definitely knows how to achieve his dreams for himself, his family and the hundreds of customers he considers his “children.”
About me
What is your biggest fear?
Future, safety and health of my wife and children. I want them to always be strong and healthy.
What really makes you angry?
When the welfare of either my wife or child is at stake or is affected.
What motivates you to work hard?
The welfare of my child.
What makes you laugh the most?
Whenever my wife laughs at my jokes and pranks.
What did you want to be when you were small?
Police officer.
What would you do if you won the lotto?
Invest
If you could share a meal with any individual living or dead, who would they be?
Ramon Ang
What is the most daring you have ever done?
Join a bodybuilding contest.
What was the last book you read?
“It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want To Be” by Paul Arden.
Which celebrity would you like to meet for coffee?
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