Life is a journey that takes on different routes. It may be a long, circuitous road, full of hardships. It may also be a short, straight and smooth - sailing journey. Whatever path life offers, it is upon a person to determine the outcome and quality of his or her journey.

For Mer Layson, a soya milk maker, life is the hard way. Because he belonged to a poor and big family in Mexico, Pampanga, he has to work hard, even at an early age of 16 at the farm. In spite of these difficulties, Mer carries a positive outlook. He is never bitter of his condition. Instead, he grabs every opportunity that comes his way, opportunities which Mer considers as blessings.


The first steps


“I was inspired by a neighbor with a disability,” Mer narrates. “If he can take photos with his camera even without fingers, what more I who have complete hands?” This spark of inspiration taught Mer never to back out at anything.

He started his career as a commercial photographer. With a camera he bought from his share of his father’s palay harvest, he took pictures of every KBL event he could attend to.

“KBL stands for Kasal, Binyag, Libing (wedding, baptism, funeral),” said Mer smiling.
Aside from these events, Mer took pictures in schools, show business and even night clubs. When a reporter from Abante asked him to be his partner-photographer, he agreed. This started his stint as a reporter, too.


The Uphill Climb


Mer took a course in AB Communication at the Far Eastern University. As a working student, Mer tripled his efforts and work simultaneously as a photographer, reporter and Public Relations man. He needed money to support himself and his two younger brothers in college.

Mer practices regular savings, setting aside without fail, 20 percent of his earned wages and salary. This habit helped him through life’s ups and downs, saving enough to shoulder his father’s medical expenses for kidney dialysis.

“My father did not want to use my savings for his medication. I insisted. I told him not to worry. I have saved P2.5 million and I will use this money for him. My father lived another four years,” said the loving son.

Through his uphill climb in life, Mer always call on God. And God has always provided for his needs, including his life partner, Mary Ann, a fellow reporter. They are now blessed with three kids, Kyla (14 years old), Kyle (7) and Kevin (2), who served as inspiration in all their undertakings.


The Crossroads


As the kids grew, Mer and Mary Ann thought of the need to put up a small business as an additional source of income. At this crossroads in their life, Mer heard over the radio about a training course on soybean production and processing to be conducted in Nueva Ecija. He got interested. He attended the training.

The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) in partnership with the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) of Pampanga, conducted the training course. The Golden Beans Producers Cooperative, wherein Mer is a member, participated in the training.

“Each training participant received one kilogram of soybeans. I processed mine into several products like siomai, soy milk and pastillas at home. My family loved it!”

“In another occasion, the Department of Agriculture gave 10 kg soybean seeds. I planted the seeds in my farm in Mexico, Pampanga as intercrop to corn.”

Mer and his wife started their business on soybean processing in September 2013. They first tried their processed products to their kids and whichever their kids love most, that would be their business products. The children liked soya milk and pastillas. And so these became their products and they called it KKK which stands for Kyla, Kyle and Kevin. But pastillas is too laborious to produce, said Mer. Thus, they focused their energy and resources in producing only one product ��" the Soya Milk.

A media practitioner, Mer is his own marketing man. It is easy for him to convince customers because he and his family patronize their own product.

“My children drink soya milk. We all drink soya milk. And we seldom get sick. Soya milk is the secret to our health,” revealed Mer. “All our earnings in the soya milk business are for our children,” he added.

Mer’s market outlets include schools in the Intramuros area, Philippine Star canteens and private retailers, including his brother.


The straight path to success


Mer is convinced his family’s business on soya will continue. This is their straight path to success.

The family business is processing 250 bottles of soya milk a day. These bottles are delivered to customers daily. Daily sales of soya milk reach P2,000 or P60,000 each month.

“PHilMech has been a great help to us… They taught me and lent me equipment for processing soybeans. We will have no soya milk business, without PHilMech. I will not also be able to hire workers… Through soya milk, I am able to send my children to school,” said Mer.

“Before, I delivered soya milk with a tricycle. Now, I am also using our new Montero for soya milk delivery,” shared Mer with pride.

Because of the soya processing business, not only have Mer and his family increased their income, they are able to help generate employment. There are four workers hired in processing soya. They stay with the Layson family with free meals and lodging.

Mer is also thinking of venturing into soy coffee. He looks forward working with PHilMech anew.

Mer Layson’s journey may be a hard climb, but he believes that God brought him to where he is now.

“I always put God first,” said Mer. This he learned from his father, he said. Upon waking up at dawn, he prays first before anything else. God is his source of strength and direction.

Mer’s life is an amazing journey of faith, hope and love. He uses his talents to create works of art and food for the body. His pictures capture the beauty and truth of reality. His words wake up many persons in the doldrums. His product, the Soy Milk, brings joy to many people of all ages. What a great feat this soya milk maker has achieved!