Cheyenne Suarez

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Turning every ride, delivery into asenso

ABS-CBN News

<div style="line-height:1"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175930239920820250926070920_Grab-DriverPartners.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=" Photo source: Grab Philippines"/> Photo source: Grab Philippines </div>Ride-hailing drivers and delivery riders have become essential lifelines who keep people&#x27;s daily life moving swiftly. Behind every trip and every delivery lies a story of parents who brave the roads to build a good life for their families. They turn ordinary days into stories of resilience and hope - showing how &quot;sipag at tiyaga&quot; (hard work and perseverance) paired with right opportunities and programs may transform into milestones of progress. Through a <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/706atftwVwt4gxdT46PfN2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">podcast</a> these three drivers and delivery-partners share how persistence opened doors not only for themselves, but also for the families who depend on them.<div> </div><div>Dad drives his way to success for his family </div>In 2014, Issei Goto left for Taiwan to work in a chicken factory. He did everything he could to provide for his two children.&quot;Bilang tatay, gusto naman maging maayos &#x27;yung buhay nila. So, sumugal ako sa ibang bansa,&quot; recalled Goto.(As a father, I want them to have decent lives. So, I took the chance in another country).After three years, Goto returned home, only to find out that his youngest child did not recognize him. &quot;Pagdating sa airport... parang na-hurt ako. Hindi ko ma-explain &#x27;yung feeling kase hindi niya ako kilala. Three years old na siya e,&quot; shared Goto.(I arrived at the airport. I felt hurt. I could not explain the feeling that my child could not recognize me. My child was just three years old back then).It was at that moment he promised to never leave again. Goto worked as a promodizer, then gradually moved up to a logistics role. Goto&#x27;s wife, Princess, held the fort at home.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175930246300920250926070920_Issei_Princess.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Photo source: Grab Philippines"/>Photo source: Grab Philippines </div>&quot;Ang hirap kase ng LDR. Tapos &#x27;yung dalawang bata ako ang nag-aalaga. Nung umalis siya, kakapanganak ko lang. Ayaw ko talaga sana. Mas okay ngayon na kumpleto,&quot; shared Princess.(Long distance relationships are so hard. I took care of the two kids. When he went abroad, I just gave birth. I did not want him to leave but it is better now that we are complete).In 2017, Goto&#x27;s brother asked him to take over a GrabCar after their driver left. At first, he drove only on weekends. To his surprise, he earned more than he did in his office job. &quot;Nasa isang kamay ko yung marunong lang po akong mag-drive. Sa kabilang kamay ko, &#x27;yung comfort zone ko. So, naging risk-taker ako,&quot;  said Goto.(One one hand, I only knew how to drive. On the other hand is my comfort zone [working in a corporate job]. So, I chose to become a risk taker).By 2019, he resigned and drove full-time.  &quot;After kong mag-full time dito after six months, in seven months nakapag-produce na ako ng pangalawang hulugang sasakyan, tinodo ko na &#x27;yung pagiging risk taker ko,&quot; shared Goto.(After going full-time in Grab after six months, in the seventh month I was able to produce my second installment car, I went full on in being a risk taker). Then the lockdown hit the Philippines. &quot;Tama ba itong ginagawa ko? Kasi hindi puwedeng magutom mga anak ko,&quot; shared Goto.(Is this the right step? My children cannot go hungry).Hope came from unexpected places, including passengers who encouraged him to keep going. Additionally, through GrabFinance Cash Loan, Goto expanded his fleet from one car to four, funding car maintenance and supporting his family through hard times. &quot;Through the help of GrabFinance Cash Loan, na-achieve ko itong mga bagay na &#x27;to. Kahit misis ko, nakabalik siya sa pag-aaral... nakapagtapos siya ng accountancy noong 2022,&quot; proudly shared Goto.(Through the help of GrabFinance Cash Loan, I was able to achieve these things. Even my wife was able to go back to studying and she graduated in accountancy in 2022).Today, Goto leads a fleet of four vehicles, inspiring his drivers to take risks and believe in themselves.  &quot;Lagi tayong magta-target ng malayo para sa mga family natin. Huwag na huwag tayong matakot sumubok. Walang yumayaman sa nangangamba,&quot; advised Goto.(Let us always aim high for our family. Never be afraid to try. Nobody becomes rich by being fearful).<div> </div><div>Deliveries that built a six-storey dream</div>&quot;Smile lang every minute, &#x27;yan ang secret sa young-looking face,&quot; (Smile every minute, that is the secret to a young-looking face) said Lilybeth Zerna, GrabFood Delivery-Partner and a solo parent and a mother of six who has been hustling since high school. Zerna once rode a motorbike with a sidecar to deliver tuba and water crests.Zerna&#x27;s early years were spent finding every possible way to earn. She tried networking, which supported her children&#x27;s education and gave her time with them. When online selling slowed down, she noticed neighbors driving for Grab and decided to apply.By the time the lockdowns happened, she was already working as a delivery-partner. &quot;Nag-arawan ako. Tapos &#x27;yung oras ko. Hangga&#x27;t kaya na hindi nakakaramdam ng pagod, go lang,&quot; said Zerna.(I delivered goods everyday. Then as for my time, I continued until I did not feel tired, I just pushed forward).Zerna&#x27;s children worry about her safety, but understood her determination. All of her hard work had one clear goal: to progress in life. Her dream was to finish her six-storey building.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175930250182820250926070920_Lilybeth_Rica (1).png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Photo source: Grab Philippines"/>Photo source: Grab Philippines </div>Through GrabFinance Cash Loan and her earnings as a delivery professional, Zerna was able to fund her dream construction floor by floor. She saved enough to complete all six storeys and now earns rental income.  &quot;Disiplina sa paggastos, kung paano mo makukuha &#x27;yung gusto mo,&quot; stated Zerna.(Discipline in spending, this is how you get what you want).Zerna also owns a house and lot in the south and is now saving for a four-wheel vehicle.&quot;&#x27;Pag mayroon kang pangarap... hindi ko titigilan hangga&#x27;t hindi matupad,&quot; said Zerna.(When I have a dream, I do not stop until it comes into fruition).<div> </div><div>A father&#x27;s earnest prayer </div>Marlo Gonzales tried everything to provide for his family: factory work, security work, and other odd jobs. Then he applied to MOVE IT and passed.Gonzales worked night and day with one prayer in his heart, to be able to send his daughter to college and have her graduate for her future.One year later, his daughter Genille Gonzales applied for GrabScholar and qualified for full tuition, school supplies, and allowance.  &quot;Dati po mahaba po &#x27;yung oras ko sa pagbibiyahe, &#x27;yung tuition [ng anak ko] &#x27;yung laging iniisip ko kaya malaking bagay po itong [GrabScholar] pagdating sa amin,&quot; shared Gonzales.(Before my hours riding were long, my child&#x27;s tuition was what I always thought of which is why this GrabScholar is a big help for us).Genille Gonzales also shares her excitement. &quot;Naging most memorable day of my life nung nalaman ko po na isa akong GrabScholar.&quot; (It was the most memorable day of my life when I found out that I was a GrabScholar).<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175930254998720250926070920_Marlo_Genille (1).png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Photo source: Grab Philippines"/>Photo source: Grab Philippines </div> For her, her father&#x27;s long hours on the road remain a constant source of inspiration.&quot;Nakikita ko po &#x27;yung sacrifices ni papa sa araw-araw, parang &#x27;di niya po iniinda lahat ng pagod,&quot; she noted, reflecting on how every ride is an act of love. (I saw the sacrifices of my father every day, like he was not getting tired at all).To her, the scholarship is not just financial relief — it is proof that her father&#x27;s sacrifices and her own determination go hand in hand. &quot;Nung naging GrabScholar po ako, mas nakakapag-focus po ako sa pag-aaral. Ang goal ko po talaga is makabawi at maibalik sa kanila yung lahat ng pagmamahal at tiyaga,&quot; added Gonzales.(When I became a GrabScholar, I was able to focus more on studying. My goal is to give back and return the love and hardwork they have given to me).Since the financial pressure is lifted, Genille Gonzales now focuses on her marketing studies and dreams of joining Grab one day to give back.  &quot;Someday po, ako naman &#x27;yung mag-give back sa lahat ng sacrifices na pinrovide nila for us,&quot;  shared Genille Gonzales.(Someday I will be the one to give back for all the sacrifices provided for us).<div> </div><div> One step forward, many more ahead</div>The stories of Goto, Zerna, and Gonzales remind us that driving and delivering are not just livelihood opportunities. They are journeys of perseverance, growth, and transformation. Through a suite of programs — from GrabFinance Cash Loan, GrabScholar, Misiskolar, and Digital Upskilling to incentive schemes like Ka-Grab and Ka-MOVE IT Rewards — Grab continues to stand alongside its partners. Coupled with accessible social protection made possible through partnerships with agencies such as SSS and Pag-IBIG, these initiatives transform everyday challenges into milestones that matter: a child&#x27;s tuition secured, a business expanded, a household kept steady. For thousands of drivers, riders, and delivery-partners, this combination of viable earnings and enabling programs affirms that every trip taken is a step toward long-term progress.Listen to the full podcast on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/706atftwVwt4gxdT46PfN2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spotify</a> or on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1B2j9zwiGq" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook</a>. You may also learn more about Grab&#x27;s programs on their <a href="https://www.grab.com/ph/blog/asenso/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">page</a>.

Through hard work, resilience, and dedication three driver-partners and rider-partners turn everyday rides and deliveries into opportunities to uplift their lives and support their families.

Through hard work, resilience, and dedication three driver-partners and rider-partners turn everyday rides and deliveries into opportunities to uplift their lives and support their families.

Turning every ride, delivery into asenso

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Turning every ride, delivery into asenso

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Published October 03, 2025 12:01 PM PHT

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