In celebration of International Women’s Day, Maxim Rides & Food Delivery highlights the inspiring story of Anabelle Lequen, a woman delivery partner whose quiet determination recently captured the attention of many online.
In a Facebook post, a customer shared an emotional experience after booking a delivery. Despite the long distance, Anabelle accepted the order and completed it using only a bicycle. After the physically demanding journey, she arrived with a smile and even thanked the customer for patiently waiting.
Anabelle, 40, is the eldest of five siblings and has always felt a strong responsibility to support her family. “Nag-housemaid ako at canteen dishwasher para makatulong sa aking pamilya lalo na sa pag-aaral ng aking mga kapatid,” she shared. She later worked as a lady guard from 2016 to 2023 before deciding to dedicate her time to performing deliveries through the Maxim platform.
Delivering by bicycle, without a motorcycle or driver’s license, requires both strength and determination. “Self-support lang po ako kaya kinakaya ko ang pagbi-bike,” she said. One of her most challenging experiences was an order in Kalunasan, Cebu City, where she was asked to purchase food from a fast food chain. After completing the purchase, the receiver could no longer be contacted, making the trip especially difficult. Despite moments like these, Anabelle remains resilient, motivated by the simple but powerful drive of supporting her family.
In recognition of her dedication on International Women’s Day, Maxim presented Anabelle with a basket of groceries. Her story went viral, and a local vlogger even offered her a motorcycle to make deliveries easier. However, she respectfully declined, choosing to continue relying on her own strength.
Anabelle’s story reflects the growing participation of women in the delivery and mobility sector. Across the Philippines, women represent around 12% of driver-partners on the Maxim platform, ranging in age from 19 to 65, with an average of 31. While many use motorcycles, others use cars, bicycles, and other eligible vehicles — showing that strength, resilience, and dedication know no gender.
