# From upland farmer to TOYM awardee — Mark Gersava on overcoming poverty

An episode of [The Howie Severino Podcast](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1575319838), 4 Jul 2024, 20 min.

Audio: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/6686611e03dd2c690e0a0e89/e/7ca1e969-7cf6-496b-b67d-5f3ce77bec96/media.mp3

In the boonies of Sultan Kudarat province in Mindanao, where conflict would force his community to evacuate, Mark Gersava found a way to finish college. He eventually ended up in an office in Makati where he is thriving as a “social entrepreneur.” He explains to Howie Severino how an innovative, conscience-driven businessman can compete against hard-core capitalists. His main product? Plantable bamboo toothbrushes.Producer: Aubrey Delos ReyesResearcher: Lilian TiburcioEditor: Jayr MagtotoLinks: https://bambuhay.ph/https://www.facebook.com/bambuhayphhttps://www.instagram.com/bambuhayph/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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