From a Cebu bakery attendant, she now runs a successful car rental business in Iceland!

She’s come a long way, and literally, too! From attending to a bakery in Cebu, Evelyn Tagalog now runs a 500-unit strong rent-a-car business in Reykjavik, Iceland.

“I try my best. Nagtiyaga talaga,” Evelyn said on “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.”

Evelyn Tagaglog

Evelyn is from Ormoc, Leyte, where life wasn’t particularly easy. Her family subsisted on her father’s income as a tricycle driver. Her parents couldn’t afford to send them to school but headstrong, she decided to go to Cebu, where she became a working student to support her studies.

In the daytime, Evelyn worked in a bakery and at night, she attended the University of Cebu. When she graduated, Evelyn landed a job in a furniture company. It sounded like she would just lead a normal life. But things turned for the better for her.

She was set up with an Icelander, who became her penpal. For six years, they maintained their relationship until the strong-willed Evelyn flew to Iceland to be with her penpal.

Her life in Cebu seemed to repeat itself: She had to go to school to learn the language, and juggle jobs to support herself.

On top of dealing with the harsh climate, Evelyn had to endure loneliness as well. Sadly, her lover died of cancer. But she managed: she made friends, went out with them, and she kept working.

At one point, she worked at a fishery, where she met Sigudur, a fishing boat owner and much like meeting her penpal in Cebu, Evelyn fell in love a second time around.

The two had the fishing boat, which they sold to buy a 30-room hotel. After two years of smooth business, the couple decided to invest their money on car rentals, a complementary side hustle.

The rent-a-car business proved to be a success, growing from 5 cars to a fleet of 650. So once again, the couple decided to sell the hotel, in order to concentrate on the car business.

Apart from sending money and putting her nieces and nephews to school, Evelyn says she also helps her family in developing businesses.

When asked what advice she can give to Filipinos, Evelyn said, “Magsisikap talaga at saka matatiyaga. Work hard. At kapag kumikita na, dapat gagamitin nang wasto at pahahalagahan ‘yung paghihirapan. Kapag magsisikap ka, meron kang makakamtan.” — LA, GMA News