Being a “labandera” or laundry woman is a typical job that some mothers take on to provide for their family's basic needs. Even though there are washing machines and laundry shops now, there's still something special about hand-washing clothes. However, the income from this job isn't that substantial. That's why it's really impressive when children manage to finish their studies using the money their parents earn from doing laundry.
Netizens continue to admire a laundrywoman who managed to put not just one, two, but all six of her children through college, and all of them have graduated!
According to a report by GMA News Online in May, netizens praised the resourcefulness of 67-year-old Malou Certeza after she took on work as a laundrywoman for five different families when her husband lost his job. Her husband also helped her in doing the laundry and hanging them to dry.
Aside from doing laundry, they also collaborate in finding other sources of income. They ventured into selling snacks like banana cue, sweet potato cue, and others. Even their children worked hard to continue their studies.
"'Yong panganay ko pagkagaling sa school maglalako ‘yan ng banana-cue, ng kamote-cue, may pambaon siya bukas. 'Yong pangalawa, katulong ko sa paglalabada taga-banlaw ko. ‘Yong mister ko naman ang tagahatid ng labada at tagatanggal ng sampay,” she said in the interview.
Malou chose to prioritize and support her children's education because she didn't want them to remain poor, which could affect her future grandchildren as well.
When her eldest, Apple, finished her studies, she promised her parents that she would willingly help her siblings with their education and lift their family out of poverty.
At present, they are reaping the rewards of their hard work. All her children have graduated, have good jobs, and she has been provided with a beautiful home and a comfortable life.
Amazing! Congratulations, Malou and to your children!
— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express
