This woman in W. Samar sent 12 children through college by weaving 'tikog'

Weaving or "paglalara" is an old tradition in the town of Basey in Western Samar.

The town is known for its one-of-a-kind "tikog" handicrafts. Tikog is a reed plant that grows around rice fields. Its jointless and solid stems make good use for mat weaving.

These are usually bleached under the sun for days and once it is dried, the weavers start to flatten and color them so they can start making mats, wallets, bags and other crafts out of them.

Upon waking up early in the morning, Lionila Gacutno, 58, will head to the waters to fish.

She said she usually earns P70, enough for her to buy coffee and sugar for the next days.

"Mahirap ang karanasan. Hindi laging may huli," she said in an episode of Brigada.

But her day doesn't end there. After fishing, she goes straight to the Saob Cave to weave.

For Lionila, weaving is the main source of their family income. She has been weaving since 1980.

"Nakasalalay sa banig ang pag-aaral ng mga anak ko," she said.

Despite the hardships, Lionila said she had to work so she can send to school all her 16 children.

"Ang hirap sa umpisa kasi hindi naman ako sanay. Tinuruan lang ako ng isang bata hanggang sa pinagpatuloy ko na. Hindi na ako tumigil sa paggawa," she said.

Through weaving, she was able to let 12 of her children graduate from college. She added two of them are still in senior high school, one is still in college and the another one is still in 8th grade.

Although she doesn't usually earn much, she said she's lucky enough to earn 200 pesos a day.

"Minsan nga nag-uumpisa pa lang kami, nautang na namin 'yong para sa banig. Nauuna talaga 'yong utang kaysa sa banig. 'Di pa tapos pero bayad na," she said.

From rice, food, daily essentials and fares, Lionila usually gets it from her income in weaving.

After her husband underwent an eye operation, Lionila became the breadwinner. It was all her from that moment on.

"Mahirap kasi lahat akin. Kasi 'yong asawa ko hindi naman siya pwedeng pumalaot kaya lahat akin," she said.

Tikog process

After work, she goes home to rest and wakes up the next day to do the same routine.

She said processing of the tikog required tying, bundling, counting each strand, drying then coloring them. She usually finishes a tikog mat in 2 days but she's only able to sell it at a low price.

Weaving is no joke since it's time consuming and takes a lot of strength and effort.

But luckily, Lionila has her daughter, Amor, to help her do it.

"Naaawa kasi ako dahil napapagod si nanay kaya ako 'yong laging katulungan niya kasi ako lang 'yong may kayang gawin 'yong sa tikog," she said.

For Amor, she will do everything to repay and give back to her mother.

"Pagbubutihin ko ang pag-aaral ko dahil 'yon naman ang gusto ni nanay," she said.

And despite the difficulties, Lionila remained optimistic because it's for the betterment of their children.

"Sanay naman sa pagod. Hindi ko naman iniinda 'yon," she said. "Hindi ako susuko dahil sa mga anak ko. Gusto ko sila makatapos at magaya sa akin na walang pinag-aralan." —Ma. Angelica Garcia/JST, GMA News