At the heart of Angat Ako’s mission is a simple yet powerful belief that when people are empowered, they uplift not only themselves, but everyone around them. A mission that has come to life through the stories of microentrepreneurs who have grown into resilient, purpose-driven individuals, creating ripples of hope far beyond their own success.  

This Father’s Day, we shine the spotlight on one such story, that of Kuya Zosimo Saz, a father whose quiet strength and unwavering dedication continue to shape the future of his family.  

In the humble community of Barangay Bairan in the City of Naga lives Kuya Zosimo, a 62-year-old tailor whose hands carry years of hard work and perseverance. Long before he became known for his skill with needle and thread, he worked as a carpenter and later as a tricycle driver, taking on whatever job he could to make ends meet. Life was not always easy, but like many fathers, Kuya Zosimo carried the weight of responsibility with quiet determination. 

Ten years ago, he decided to start over. Together with his wife, he built a small tailoring business from the ground up. What began as a simple setup, powered by a sewing machine his wife had acquired after leaving her work as a seamstress, slowly became their lifeline. Day by day, repair by repair, they stitched not only clothes, but also the foundation of a more hopeful future. Today, Kuya Zosimo, a father of five, continues to rely on this business to support his family. Each garment he repairs carries a deeper purpose – to provide, sustain, and secure a better future for his children. Behind every piece of work is a father’s steady and enduring love. 

Kuya Zosimo as part of the Naga Beneficiaries of our Scraps of Hope program 

In 2024, his journey found new momentum when he became a member of RAFI Microfinance. Kuya Zosimo shared that he only considered joining after learning he was qualified, as he had initially assumed the program was exclusively for women. To his surprise, it was also open to men like him who were equally driven to provide for their families. This realization opens a door he never thought was meant for him, giving him the opportunity to take step forward in strengthening his livelihood 

Through RAFI Microfinance, Kuya Zosimo gained not only financial support but also training that strengthened his skills as a microentrepreneur – particularly in improving customer relations and enhancing the quality of his sewing and repair work. He was also able to further develop his sewing skills through the Scraps of Hope program in partnership with Visayan Electric Co., where he was later recognized as one of its beneficiaries and awarded a sewing machine. These learnings boosted his confidence and helped him see his tailoring as a sustainable livelihood. 

Yet even after years of hard work, Kuya Zosimo’s dreams remain simple, to grow their business beyond repair and into full tailoring. He hopes to create pieces from start to finish and take pride in calling it their craft. 

Being a father, as Kuya Zosimo shares, is never an easy role. Finding the best way to provide for one’s family often comes with challenges, sacrifices, and difficult choices. When asked what message he would give to fellow fathers – especially those who are also small business owners like him – his advice is simple yet deeply rooted in experience: persevere and endure.  

In his own words, he lives by the phrase, “Antos para ma-Santos”. He shares it with a light, joking tone, yet behind the humor lies a deep truth – to endure hardships today in the hope of a better tomorrow. It is a mindset that reflects not only his journey as an entrepreneur, but also his unwavering love and commitment as a father.  

In Kuya Zosimo ‘s story, we see the true essence of fatherhood, not in grand gestures, but in everyday sacrifices, quiet resilience, and an unyielding commitment to family. For Father’s Day, we honor fathers like him – men who stitch by stitch, build not just livelihoods, but legacies of love and hope.