My own boss at last
Oliver McCrossan
Paterno Maglasang was one of the first to join our Pedalling to Live Project. He has been a tricycle (sikad-sikad) driver for 27 years. His parents died when he was 10-years-old, he was an only child. He was raised by his cousin in Ozamiz City. Paterno lives there with his wife Guillerma and four sons.
Since the birth of his eldest son, 27 years ago, Paterno has been driving a tricycle around Ozamiz City. He has never owned his own vehicle until April 2006 when he proudly took ownership of his own tricycle through the Pedalling to Live Project. The lines on his face tell his life story, each day from early morning to sundown he is ferrying people to school, market and their workplaces. He has a number of regular customers.
Guillerma looks after the house and takes in laundry. They also rear pigs in their small backyard to supplement their income. Paterno and his family were delighted when he received his own tricycle after he had completed his payments. Each day he deposits a small amount of his earnings in his savings account in the co-op.
The Project also provides Paterno and his family with health insurance. His daughter, Judy is being helped through the scholarship programme. She is studying hotel and restaurant management.
