Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Richard Ortea (42) reveals his solar power set up in his home in Gen. Mariano Alvarez in Cavite City on May 15, 2026. A single father who decided that the only way to go in terms of keeping costs down and putting all his finances in his daughter's education is his switch to solar energy for their small home. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Jonathan Cellona

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177933487416420260515-home-solar-power-energy-JC-BR0I2217.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Richard Ortea, 42, reveals his solar power setup in his home in Gen. Mariano Alvarez in Cavite City on May 15, 2026. A single father, Ortea, decided that the only way to go to keep costs down and have more money for his daughter&#x27;s education is his switch to solar energy for their small home. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Richard Ortea, 42, takes a break from his busy day of ferrying passengers in his tricycle.</p><p>He lives in a modest home in a family compound in General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite where the single father to 17-year-old Jessica has set up a solar power grid inside his home all by himself.</p><p>By bypassing the traditional grid, he keeps his costs down, meaning there is more money for essentials—especially for his daughter’s education—and a little bit more for simple luxuries.</p><p>“Bale nung August, (last year) na ano (set-up) ko na to. Kasi nga napansin ko tumataas ang kuryente, isa pa, pag nag-brownout, tulad nung isang araw brownout dito.”</p><p>(I set up this solar energy wiring last August because of rising bills and to avoid the discomfort of brownouts.)</p><p>The brownouts, caused by power plant maintenance and breakdowns during the summer, have become a recurring problem.</p><p>“Halos buong GMA walang ilaw, ako lang meron dahil may solar ako,” he laughs with pride.</p><p>(Almost the entire town had no power. I was the only one with electricity because I have a solar setup)</p><p>He is a father who decided to quit his vices, get a tricycle, earn an honest daily income, and put his little girl through school, come what may.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/4/22/gsis-lets-members-borrow-to-install-home-solar-panels-1910">GSIS lets members borrow to install home solar panels</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong> A MODEST HOME IS HIS CASTLE POWERED BY THE SUN</strong></div><p>Ten years ago, he was entrusted with the sole care of his daughter from a previous relationship. He took on the task and never looked back.</p><p>Times are even harder now and he has had to find ways to cut costs while still providing his daughter the comforts he can afford. </p><p>In seasons of extreme heat, his main challenges are the cost of electricity and finding a way to keep cool.</p><p>Ortea&#x27;s house is one that would be considered modestly adequate — he watches TV and keeps cool with an electric fan in his small home.</p><p>From the outside, it would seem like a matchbox dwelling, but he takes pride in his home, which he considers a castle powered by the sun.</p><p>“Mga kapitbahay ko dito, mga madilim &#x27;yan. Wala silang solar, ako meron, nakakanood ako ng TV!”</p><p>(My neighbors sit in the dark because they don&#x27;t have solar power. I do, and I can watch TV!)</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177933429344620260515-home-solar-power-energy-JC-BR0I2247.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Richard Ortea, 42, of General Mariano Alvarez in Cavite set up a private solar power system to help keep his power costs down. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>Ortea set up the solar-powered system himself, with panels resting on his galvanized steel roof.</p><p>Electric cables run through a series of plugs and breakers, leading finally to a battery and an inverter that converts the sun’s rays into power for his small entertainment den.</p><p>This self-sustaining energy cost him an initial P9,000 that he says has already paid off.</p><p>Richard picks up a remote control to show off the lights in the rest of his house. In the outdoor kitchen, LED lightbulbs illuminate his small domain. He adjusts his setup with practiced hands.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>LIFE&#x27;S SHADOWS COME WITH RAYS OF HOPE</strong></div><p>The solar power system is just part of Ortea&#x27;s efforts as a single father to make a living and support his daughter. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/4/30/what-charges-make-up-your-meralco-bill-1651">What charges make up your Meralco bill?<br/></a></div><p>He said asking outsiders for help is not an option and that he wants to do support his daughter his own way.</p><p>Standing by his tricycle, he smiles: “Ten years na ako namamasada, ito na ang pinaka asawa ko, pinaka bahay, pinaka-kaibigan.”</p><p>(Ferrying passengers for 10 years, this tricycle has been somewhat of a wife to me, even a home, and maybe my good friend.)</p><p>The tricycle has also been a part of his daughter&#x27;s life and Ortea said she has also been his inspiration to find ways to get by.</p><p>“Dahil kung wala siya paano akong magsisikap,” he said. “Solo ko lang, hanggang na provide ko itong mga ito.”</p><p>(If she weren&#x27;t there, I don&#x27;t know how I could keep striving. I did it by myself until I was able to provide her with these things.)</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177933496932820260515-home-solar-power-energy-JC-BR0I2233.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Ortea said he decided to spend on a small solar power system because of high electricity bills and the recurring brownouts caused by power plant breakdowns and maintenance during the summer months. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>With the sun as his daily ally, Richard has shown that the shadows the sun produces in his life also come with the rays of hope that have kept him and his daughter going.</p><p>Solar power is an opportunity for Richard to keep the sun on his shoulders—lighting his way, whether it be day or night, both inside and outside of his home.</p><p>“Salamat po sa araw dahil meron akong solar, nakaka-provide ako para sa sarili ko (pamilya).”</p><p>(I thank God for the sun; I can provide all this for my family.)</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177933524345420260515-home-solar-power-energy-JC-BR0I2223.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Ortea says he spent an P9,000 for the system of panels, wires, and a battery and inverter that he installed himself. He says that initial investment has already paid off in savings. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div>

<p>By bypassing the traditional grid, Richard Ortea keeps his costs down, meaning there is more money for essentials—especially for his daughter’s education—and a little bit more for simple luxuries.</p>

By bypassing the traditional grid, Richard Ortea keeps his costs down, meaning there is more money for essentials—especially for his daughter’s education—and a little bit more for simple luxuries.

Single dad in Cavite uses the sun to help save money to support daughter

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Single dad in Cavite uses the sun to help save money to support daughter

Jonathan Cellona,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 21, 2026 12:26 PM PHT

Read More:

General Mariano Alvarez

Cavite

Solar power

Electricity

Power costs

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