From Dubai Helper to a Foodpreneur: Rica Penalosa's Story

Rica Penalosa spent years working in Dubai as an overseas Filipino worker (OFW). When she returned to Manila, she decided to try something new. She set up a small food cart beside De La Salle University—back when the campus grounds weren’t as crowded as they are today.

“Nag-pushcart kami every day, nagtutulak talaga ako ng cart,” Rica shared in an interview with ABS-CBN’s My Puhunan. From sunrise to sunset, she sold student favorites like bacon with rice and egg, footlong hotdogs, and other quick meals.

Facing Early Roadblocks

Starting a business wasn’t easy. Rica recalls tense moments when local authorities would swoop in:

“Hinuli ng pulis, tapos tatabog yung paninda ko. Buti na lang hindi sumabog yung gasul na dala ko. Tapos matatapon yung mga kanin.”
(“The police would catch me, my cart would tip over. Luckily, the gas canister didn’t explode—but my rice got tossed everywhere.”)

These encounters could have ended her venture before it really began, but Rica’s determination kept her going.

Turning Hard Work into Profit

After several months of daily hustle, Rica started seeing real returns. She averaged over ₱5,000 in sales per day, a figure that outstripped many regular employee incomes. At that point, she made a life-changing decision: she wouldn’t go back to Dubai.

“Kung itong ₱5,000 a day, hindi kikitain ng isang ordinaryong empleyado ‘yun. Sa isang linggo, ₱25,000—hindi ka pa ba masaya nun?”
(“If you make ₱5,000 a day, that’s ₱25,000 in a week—more than most workers earn. Isn’t that something to be happy about?”)

This steady income allowed her to reinvest in better equipment, expand her menu, and solidify her presence near the university.

Finding Joy in Family Time

Beyond the financial gains, Rica found a gift she couldn’t have bought abroad: time with her loved ones.

“Mas naramdaman ko yung saya na nandito kasama pa yung pamilya mo.”
(“I truly felt the joy of being here with my family.”)

Today, her days start early with cart preparations and end with dinner around the table—moments she missed during her years overseas.

Tips from Rica’s Journey

1. Consistency Matters: Pushing your cart every day builds trust and recognition.

2. Adapt and Learn: Turning setbacks—like run-ins with authorities—into lessons strengthens resilience.

3. Reinvest Profits: Use early earnings to upgrade tools, expand your offerings, and improve customer experience.

4. Value Family: Success shines brighter when it’s shared with those you love.

Rica Penalosa’s story shows that with hard work, grit, and a clear goal, a simple food cart can become a sustainable, family-centered business—right in the heart of Manila.