Memories of a Businessman in the Time of Pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic is affecting our local entrepreneurs in different ways. While some fear the catastrophic economic impact that may result from the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, many local entrepreneurs in Occidental Mindoro are doing all they can to stay afloat in the midst of the crisis in their respective municipalities.

Ms. Minda V. Vicedo, Economist-III and Local Economic and Investment Promotions Officer (LEIPO) of LGU-Sablayan is calling the attention of the local business people to pay their employees, if possible, even if they are not required to work. That is one of the many sacrifices that they could do to help the “no work, no pay” workers in the locality. Ms. Vicedo, who studied Bachelor of Arts Major in Economics at University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman said that down in the checkpoints in this time of community quarantine, there must be a continued flow of services. “Hindi talaga tatakbo ekonomiya kung walang production. Sama-sama iyan. Dahil sa supply and demand forces, due to limited flow of goods and services, hindi maiiwasan na may ilang negosyante na magsasamantala to have a windfall in profit," she said. The municipal government’s economist added that the local business groups could offer their transportation and facilities for the health frontliners free of charge or with big discount which is being done in the locality. This can be in the form of lending their vehicles and hotel and accommodation rooms for those in the front line. Their corporate social responsibility is very much imperative in this pandemic health crisis, according to this Barangay Maliig, Lubang-born widow and a mother of four already grown-up children. She, like the rest of us, is in quarantine. "Dito na papasok ang paggising natin sa kamalayan ng ating mga negosyante na magkaroon ng corporate social responsibility," she said further.

Talking about local entrepreneurship, Ms. Vicedo suddenly remember a certain businessman in old Sablayan who had a big fortune by way of hard work and good business sense. The man also came from her island of birth. She remembers the man who owns a store when she was teenager. “Simple lang ang buhay nila. He succeeded in business because he lived a frugal and simple life.” She is talking about Mr. Fraterno Torreliza Mendoza, Sr.

Mr. Mendoza breathed his last at the age of 86 on December 17, 2014 leaving behind his legacy of being a role model in local entrepreneurship in Municipality of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro. He is the epitome of a businessman who has a heart in working with the town officials during his days.

Born in September 29, 1928 in a poor family in Agcawayan, Looc in Lubang Island, he was raised by his parents Generoso Mendoza of Lipa, Batangas and Dionista Torreliza, a native of Agcawayan.

It was in 1959 when he first set foot on the shores of Sablayan, specifically in the Barrio of Paetan where he work as farmer, fisherman and a transporter of goods using his small banca. Mr. Fraterno Mendoza, Sr. have exemplary showed the effective ways of increasing the flow of resources into the local economy from the other parts of the country and vice-versa. He sold clothes from one house to another in the neighbourhood.

Aiming and attracted to new local enterprise and business ventures, he moved to the town proper together with his wife Evelyn Vicente Torreliza and three children. The Mendoza’s established a small store and it is where things started to get better in his all business ventures. Well admired by the progressing town’s early inhabitants and settlers, he was able to gain prominence as the leading pioneer of local business in the then progressing municipality. He lived a simple life and drawing lessons from his experiences before as a lowly sales boy, messenger and vendor, rolled into one, he was able to master the trade. Though only a college undergraduate, he was able to surpass hardships and hurdles of all his businesses. Reserved, thrifty and living a simple life, he was able to get properties and his businesses grew. Mr. Mendoza, needless to say, was an expert in financial management.

As a private man, he was able to win the hearts of his coterie of friends and business partners. The Municipality of Sablayan, whoever becomes the mayor, greatly considered Mr. Mendoza, in a way, as an innovative advocate and model of local entrepreneurship towards its development mission and goals. "The Local Government support small local businesses because they embody freedom and independence. They are the roots of a free, progressive and stable society," adds Ms. Vicedo.

Mr. Mendoza, other than being an entrepreneur, has installed in the minds of his children the spirit of social responsibility and philanthropy. Following the footsteps of their father, Fraterno Jr., Maria Cristy (now Dimayacyac) and Nerea (now Tuazon), donated parcels of their properties to many projects of the Local Government Unit. With all these legacies, the patriarch placed himself significantly in the cultural and historical context of Municipality of Sablayan and perceived as someone who have contributed to the positive development of local pride through the good example exhibited by his name.

Fraterno Mendoza Sr. rightfully deserved to be thanked so the uphill avenue in Sitio Tuburan, Brgy. Poblacion separating the Sablayan Grand Terminal and the Occidental Mindoro State College-Sablayan Campus was named after him.  

For many small business owners, the unprecedented situation with no clear end in sight has bred uncertainty and concern for their future. But taking cue from the courage and wisdom of Dongon's (Sablayan's name of yore) early settlers and their faith in the Almighty, Ms. Vicedo believes that it’s business as usual after this. "Hopefully soon," are her concluding words....

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Photo: KZ Vicedo, Project Development Officer, Department of Information and Communication Technology, PGO-Occidental Mindoro

Source: As narrated through a letter from Jun Mendoza II to the author in 2018