Two of Gary Esguerra’s greatest dreams came true through the Bayanihan CARES HEROES Program — to have his own business and to become a land-based worker. 

Gary worked as a seaman for 17 years. “I always thought that I will stay at sea forever. It was the life I trained for and the life I was living for 17 years,” Gary shared.

In June 2020, Gary’s life at sea came to a pause. Due to the pandemic, he was forced to come home and stay in his hometown in Rizal. 

As he knew that it will take time before he can go back to work, he must do something to be able to earn somehow.

“One day I was scrolling through Facebook and I chanced upon a post about the HEROES Program — a loan program of the government for repatriated OFWs. “Naisipan kong makilahok sa HEROES Program hindi lang upang makahanap ng tulong pinansyal, kundi para makakuha din ng kaalaman tungkol sa pagsisimula ng negosyo,” Gary added.

Being a businessman has always been at the back of Gary’s mind and if given the funds and the opportunity he knew exactly what line of business he will pursue.

“Matagal ko nang pangarap na makapagtayo ng negosyo na gift shop at customized items para sa maritime academy na aking pinanggalingan,” he shared.

Gary said it has been 20 years since he graduated from the maritime academy. He was a member of the pioneer batch, and the academy never had any souvenir items despite the presence of a market niche.

After receiving the loan proceeds from the HEROES Program, Gary purchased his initial inventory comprising usual souvenir products such as shirts, metal keychains, and umbrellas, among others. He also set aside a portion of his loan to purchase tools and equipment for designing his products. 

Gary opened Kamaya Point Gift Shop and conducted majority of his transactions online. “Sa ngayon po ay highly dependent kami sa online transactions at phone-in orders.” Gary shared.

Gary is continuously looking for more innovative and creative ideas for products he can sell. “Tutok ako sa business and so far I have no plans of returning to sea. “Sa tingin ko ay mas mainam na dumito muna ako lalo na at may pandemya pa at kung may pagkakataon man na bumalik sa pagtatrabaho sa labas ng bansa ay pag-iisipan ko rin muna ng maraming beses” Gary added.

Gary has maintained a very positive outlook in life through all the struggles he has gone through. Instead of losing hope, he devoted his time to learn and earn. “Sa mga kapwa ko OFW, mahirap man ang kalagayan natin ngayon, huwag tayong mawawalan ng pag-asa at panghinaan ng loob. Gamitin natin ang panahon na ito na kasama ang ating pamilya upang kilalanin ang ating mga sarili—kung ano ang kaya pa nating gawin, at kung ano ang mga pangarap and pwede natin tuparin,” Gary concluded.