Mulanay: Finding ‘Paraiso’ Through Digital Empowerment for Persons with Disabilities

The town of Mulanay in Quezon province has come a long way from the underserved rural community portrayed in the 1996 award-winning film Mulanay: Sa Pusod ng Paraiso, directed by Gil Portes. While the movie depicted a village lacking in infrastructure and a community deeply rooted in tradition and reluctant to embrace modern medicine, present-day Mulanay is now a first-class municipality where diversity and inclusion thrive, opening opportunities for residents in challenging circumstances such as persons with disabilities.

These opportunities pave the way for programs that uplift Mulanay’s most vulnerable sectors, including a partnership that the local government, through the Municipal Social Welfare and Development (MSWD) office, forged with ATRIEV, PLDT, and Smart to train residents with disabilities on the basics of entrepreneurship and the use of digital innovations to grow their businesses. This partnership aligns with the PLDT Group’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Advocacy through Technology (IDEATe) program.

“As a father to a child with autism, I understand the challenges that persons with disabilities face,” said Mulanay Mayor Aristotle Aguirre. “That is why we are working with like-minded organizations to provide them with digital skills and entrepreneurial opportunities, so they can start or grow their own businesses and thrive in today’s economy.”

Conducted by ATRIEV and also supported by NORFIL Foundation, more than 20 persons with disabilities and carers of persons with impairments attended the Digital Business Basics Training (DBBT). The eight-day workshop was divided into two modules. The first focused on starting a business, covering essential topics such as branding, connecting with target markets, fund sourcing, and pricing and costing strategies.

 

Sergio Macarang, 55, saw his clients dwindle after he got into a vehicular accident that limited his mobility. He was a construction foreman prior to the accident. He turned to selling medical masks and wipes to supplement his income. And now, he wants to grow his business.

“You need careful planning,” Macarang said. “You have to learn proper costing, so you don’t end up selling your products at a loss.”

Pricing was also the most important skill for 26-year-old Jerald Regencia, a reseller of beauty products born with physical impairments. “I was intimidated at first because I have forgotten my Math,” he recalled. “But I brushed up on my Math skills to ensure that I am earning from my business. You have to factor in all your expenses.”

The second module gave participants hands-on experience using digital tools and social media platforms to expand their reach, such as setting up Facebook and Tiktok accounts and creating content for their pages.

“I was even able to design a logo for my business using a mobile app,” Macarang added. “Through Facebook and other online platforms, I can now reach more people and potential customers. My business is no longer limited to foot traffic on our street — it has grown beyond our community.”

“Selling online has really made things easier for me,” Regencia shared. “Before, I had to personally visit my suki to show them new items or ask if they wanted to order again — which wasn’t easy because of my condition. Now, I can just promote my products online and connect with them through messaging apps.”

Through inclusive initiatives like this, the stories of persons with disabilities in Mulanay are moving toward brighter chapters. Equipped with digital skills and business know-how, their journeys are only just beginning.

“At PLDT and Smart, we believe that technology is a powerful equalizer,” said Stephanie Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Engagement Team. “Through programs like IDEATe, we are opening doors for persons with disabilities to participate fully in the digital economy, giving them the tools and opportunities to improve their lives and contribute meaningfully to society.”

IDEATe activities are aligned with PLDT and Smart’s commitment to help the country achieve UNSDG 8 on decent work and economic growth, and UNSDG 10 on reducing inequality by empowering and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all, including persons with disabilities.