What I like about my job being a writer for the government
is that I get to have a glimpse of other people’s lives.
Yesterday, I interviewed a pretty single mom for my article
to be published on our local magazine. I was able to talk with her mother first
and I noticed that despite their economic hardship, their Filipino values of
hospitality and respect were still conscientiously observed in their humble abode.
Upon seeing my interviewee’s kids, the grandma urged the two little girls to
come to me to pay the traditional “pagmamano” as a sign of courtesy.
I was moved by their very accommodating and transparent
nature. Since I also sensed that my interviewee could be my potential informant
for my academic paper, I invited them over to the People’s Park. I was
contemplating of giving them a simple treat at Jollibee.
I maximized the opportunity that I had with them. I urged them
to visit the social welfare office, which had been consistently providing them
with financial assistance, and fortunately, she was able to stumble upon the
good news that the single mom is recently accepted for the Cash-For-Work
program. It’s a program wherein an indigent person will be given the chance for a 10-day employment and after rendering service, he or she will receive more or less Php
3,500. My lady-interviewee will be assigned to help in the repacking of Christmas
baskets for the holidays.
She was also given food assistance during the time of our visit.
She was also given food assistance during the time of our visit.
After the visit and photo opportunity we staged at the
social welfare office, we proceeded to the park for a photo shoot. I can see
from the faces of her daughters that they had fun playing at the park for a
little while. Before sending them home, we ate at Jollibee.
It was a pleasant sight to witness the excitement of the
children when they requested for french fries and chicken joy. (I suddenly
missed my son.)
During our conversation, I realized again one bright side
about being a single mom: it’s better to go solo that be with someone who will
just always stress you out. And by the way, single moms tend to become more
beautiful because they get to have more “me-time.”
Hoorah to all the single mothers out there!
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