When Manilyn left Davao del Norte in 2009 to work as househelp for a family in Quezon City, she never dreamed she would become a millionaire.

Thanks to PLDT-Smart’s Ka-Partner Rewards Program, Manilyn now has the capital and the know-how to set up her own business, allowing her and her partner to set plans in motion to start a life and business together.

Manilyn, along with over a million other retailers all over the Philippines, were honored by PLDT and Smart at virtual assemblies held nationwide. With the theme ‘Simple Umasenso, Ka-Partner,’ the online retailer assembly series underscore the companies’ dedication to helping partner-retailers hurdle the challenges of the global health crisis.

As the NCR winner of the 2019 PLDT-Smart Ka-Partner Rewards Program, Manilyn is one of five lucky retailers who got Php1 million worth of cash and goods. Winners were also drawn from North and Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

PLDT and its wireless unit, Smart have been giving incentives for every sale made via the Ka-Partner Rewards Program, with a number of retailers each year becoming instant millionaires. The Ka-Partner Rewards Program has produced 24 millionaires since its inception in 2012.

Manilyn has already bought a 100-square-meter lot in Davao Del Norte, where her parents have set up a small eatery. She also plans to give back to her employer for trusting her, a high school graduate working as househelp for his family, to manage a small grocery he owns in Cubao, Quezon City. It was while she was working at the grocery that she saw an opportunity to augment her salary by selling Smart load. In 2012, she became a Smart retailer.

Aside from the additional income, Manilyn enjoyed the benefits of training on digital and productivity tools, and more importantly, access to PLDT-Smart’s eight-year old incentive program, Ka-Partner Rewards. The program allowed Manilyn and other retailers to earn points that can be used to avail of instant prizes and services such as free SMS and airtime, load wallet value, and in Manilyn’s case, e-raffle tickets that won her PhP1 million.

Manilyn is thankful to PLDT and Smart for the life-changing win. Once the COVID-19 pandemic is over and quarantine restrictions are relaxed, she and her long-time partner Glen plan to wed and set up a store in Glen’s hometown in Bohol.  They are banking on part of her winnings from PLDT-Smart’s Ka-Partner Rewards Program, to get them started on managing a grocery.

Manilyn shares her boss not too long ago had advised her, “magsumikap at maghanap na ng magandang negosyo (work hard and start looking for a good business).  Manilyn’s boss would be pleased to know, she is well on her way to success.

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