Stronger than Ever: Puhunang Kaalaman celebrated its first batch of online training graduates

As the pandemic in the country remains, a new normal has begun to overtake our daily lives. With online transactions leading business operations and online classes taking over the learning experience of students, studying and learning have been made possible and safe under the quarantine setup. This has been also the case for our sari-sari store owners, who continue to open their store in the middle of crisis while adjusting to the new normal setup.

Hence after over two months of online training, the first batch of Hapinoy Negosyantes graduated from the Puhunang Kaalaman: Diskarteng Pangtindahan sa Gitna ng Krisis Online Training. This short term online training focused on equipping sari-sari store owners to thrive their businesses amidst the pandemic.

The onset of COVID-19 pandemic in the country caused several stores to close shop due to lack of capital, decrease in sales, difficulty in re-stocking inventory, to name a few. “Noong nag-lockdown, nag-close po ako. ‘Di na po ako naka-open. Parang katulad noong hindi ako nagtitinda, ‘yong iba naka-open sila pero wala namang nagbibili kasi wala namang trabaho ‘yong mga tao,” said Jeannie Tiston, one of the many sari-sari store owners who experienced the consequences brought by the pandemic in their businesses.

Hapinoy as part of its Bangon Tindahan initiative, partnered with Tiger Beer and launched Puhunang Kaalaman. The project focused on providing necessary skills and learning for sari-sari store owners to bounce back and continue their business operations to better serve their communities in this trying time.

In span of two months, sari-sari store owners undergone asynchronous sessions and different activities to ensure learning. “Natutunan ko ang mga makabagong pamamaraan ng pagtitinda gamit ang teknolohiya… Natutunan ko rin ang Business Continuity Plan na hindi tayo dapat basta sumusuko kahit anong hirap ng buhay ngayong pandemya. Na dapat laging handa sa ano mang sakuna at pati ang paggamit ng mga digital paglilista… Nakatulong din ang Puhunang Kaalaman sa aming mental health. It keeps us busy during that time of the week na wala halos namimili,” narrated Charlene Sy, one of the Puhunang Kaalaman Batch 1 graduates. Modules on assessing the new normal situation in sari-sari stores and adapting to the new normal through digital tools and skills were discussed in the online training.

During this period, they were also able to create a bond and formed new friendships. “May natututunan ako at naging updated sa lahat ng bagong pangyayari sa aking kapaligiran na related sa aking pagbi-business at dahil may ga nagiging kaibigan ako na nakilal aat masaya silang kasama dahil punong-puno ng lesson,” said Ana May Factuar who is also part of “Fabulous 7”, which is one of the groups created by Puhunang Kaalaman students themselves as part of their activities in the online training. Despite the community quarantine, peer learning and meeting new friends are still possible with the use of social media like Facebook group.

To commemorate the online training, an online graduation was held last November 20, 2020 via Facebook live in Hapinoy Facebook page. A total of 49 participants from Metro Manila successfully graduated and received COVID Safety Package and additional capital to augment their store operation. “But wait there’s more thank you po sa 2K cash na nakuha namin… Noong nag-aaral pa ko ‘di ako napapasama sa top 10 sa school, ang gagaling kasi ng mga classmates ko pero ngayon ‘di ko akalain na nasa Top 10 ako,” posted by Marilyn Llanes in Samahang Hapinoy Facebook group, as she shared her graduation moment with her fellow Hapinoy Negosyantes.

Screenshots of the online graduation ceremony were also shared by Valen Grace Sucre while she greeted her fellow Puhunang Kaalaman graduates, “Congrats po sa atin mga kapwa sari-sari store owners. Maraming salamat po Hapinoy at sa mga kabizmates ko sa Puhunang Kaalaman Training Batch 1. Salamat po sa tulong ninyo na bigyan kami ng pagkakataon na makabangon at magpatuloy sa pagnenegosyo. At may pabaon pa po kayong pandagdag puhunan namin. Maraming salamat po. Thank you Lord sa lahat ng blessings.”.

The successful Puhunang Kaalaman Batch 1 graduation signifies two things in this time of pandemic: one, times of crisis can open new opportunities and innovative ways to strive amidst the challenges; and two, thriving and learning in business especially during crisis is better when done together with your community. While the pandemic has turned lives upside-down and pulled businesses down, it still challenged us, especially our microentrepreneurs, to rise from the crisis and proved that we can bounce back stronger and better in our businesses.

Following the success of the first batch, Puhunang Kaalaman Online Training has also started this December with the second batch of Hapinoy Negosyantes from different provinces of the country. To know more information or join other programs for sari-sari store owners, you may visit the Hapinoy Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Hapinoy.