MANILA, Philippines — Maria stood before an unfamiliar task and wondered: What if I cannot do this?
She tried anyway. First came milk tea, then iced coffee, laundry and housekeeping. With every new skill, she began to see more possibilities: returning to school, working abroad, or perhaps starting a business of her own.
For Jen, the goal is to find stable work in the hospitality industry so she can provide for her children, including one who needs additional developmental support. With little work experience, she needed more than ambition. She needed a place to begin.
Their experiences reflect a challenge faced by many young mothers: the distance between what they hope to achieve for their families and the opportunities available to help them get there.
Turning commitment into opportunity
For young single mothers like Maria and Jen, being panatag means having the skills, resources and opportunities to provide for their children, navigate life’s uncertainties and work toward a more secure future.
This is at the heart of Allianz PNB Life’s Panatag promise: to be a partner to Filipino families in protecting what matters today while helping them prepare for whatever life brings.
Together with Bahay Tuluyan, Allianz PNB Life is bringing this commitment to life through MoveNow: Empowering Young Single Moms, Shaping Futures, a two-year initiative supporting 30 single mothers aged 15 to 22. Participants will receive vocational and financial literacy training, followed by three months of on-the-job experience in food and beverage services, front desk operations and housekeeping.
The initiative builds on MaPanatag, Allianz PNB Life’s socially inclusive proposition for single mothers, by extending support beyond protection to practical skills and livelihood opportunities.
“This is not simply about helping young single mothers find a job. It is about equipping them with the knowledge and skills to become gainfully employed, make informed financial decisions, and build a more sustainable future for themselves and their children,” said Zanne Magararu, Chief Marketing Officer of Allianz PNB Life.
“Young mothers do not lack potential; too often, they lack access to the support and opportunities that allow that potential to grow. We want participants to build practical skills, make informed choices, and open up more possibilities for what comes next,” said Catherine Scerri, Executive Director of Bahay Tuluyan.
Support beyond training
Recognizing that employment is only part of building a more secure life, participants will also receive assistance with government identification, bank accounts, meals, transportation, childcare and accommodation, alongside job-application coaching, mock interviews and workplace-readiness sessions.
Livelihood preparation is complemented by case management from a registered social worker, family-planning and reproductive-health services, safety referrals and parenting workshops.
Together, these interventions are designed to help young mothers build greater stability for themselves and their children.
A practical path forward
There is no single path toward a more secure future. For some, progress may begin with completing training or opening a bank account. For others, it could mean applying for a first job, earning a steady income or simply having more choices about what comes next.
Each step brings to life what Panatag can mean for families: being better prepared for uncertainty, having more options when circumstances change, and being able to keep moving forward for the people who matter most.
For Allianz PNB Life and Bahay Tuluyan, the goal is to help young single mothers like Maria and Jen turn possibility into progress, one practical step at a time.
Whatever life brings, Panatag ka sa Allianz. Your partner in protecting your family and your future.
[Editor’s note: “Maria” and “Jen” are pseudonyms. Their stories have been anonymized and shared with their consent. Both are current program participants.]
