In the service of small dreams

Microfinance workers do not often make headlines, but every day, they are in the trenches of transformation, working quietly to bring dignity, opportunity, and hope to those too often left behind.

- JAIME ARISTOTLE B. ALIP, PHD

Their mission is not measured in profits, but in lives changed — a farmer no longer beholden to loan sharks, a mother who becomes the breadwinner, a family that finally has a roof that doesn't leak. In a world where grand ambitions steal the spotlight, microfinance workers champion the small dreams that fuel resilience, self-reliance, and lasting change. This article is another tribute to their unwavering commitment to poverty reduction, financial inclusion, and the empowerment of women — a mission pursued not with fanfare, but with faith.

Shiela Cañete

At just 30 years old, Shiela Grace Cañete carries nearly a decade of dedication to the mission of microfinance. As the unit manager of CARD SME Bank's Talamban Unit in Cebu City, Shiela leads with quiet strength-a quality shaped by years of struggles, hope, and hard work.

The third of six siblings, Shiela learned early what it meant to make do with little. She worked to fund her education even while supporting her family. In 2015, she proudly became the first in her family to graduate from college.

Her introduction to CARD was

The stories of Shiela and Mark illustrate that microfinance is not merely about loans or savings; it is about dignity, opportunity, and the belief that even the smallest dreams are worth fighting for.