Laundrywoman puts all 6 children through college

With love, hard work, and perseverance, a 67-year-old mother who worked as a laundrywoman was able to put all of her six children through college.

According to a Friday "24 Oras" report by Ian Cruz, when her husband lost his job, Malou Certeza worked as a laundrywoman for five houses.

She also tried other ways to earn money, with her children and husband finding ways to help out.

“‘Yung panganay ko pagkagaling sa school maglalako ‘yan ng banana-cue, ng kamote-cue, may pambaon siya bukas. Yung pangalawa, katulong ko sa paglalabada taga banlaw ko. ‘Yung mister ko naman ang taga hatid ng labada at taga-tanggal ng sampay,” she said.

(My eldest daughter, after coming home from school, will sell fried bananas and fried sweet potatoes to earn an allowance for the next day. My other kid helps me with the laundry. My  husband delivers the laundry and takes down the clothes once they are dry.) 

Sometimes, people questioned why she made her children take on four-year courses.

But Malou said this is a way for their family to escape the cycle of poverty that her mother and their other relatives experienced.

“Kung two years lang, makakapagtrabaho na sila. Kung four years, dagdag dalawang taon na paghihirap ko. Gusto kong maging maayos ang buhay ng mga anak ko at mga apo ko,” Malou said. 

(With just two years, they will be able to work. If it's four years, that's two more years of difficulty. I want my children and grandchildren to have a good life.)

Malou gradually worked her way out of poverty, especially after the eldest, Apple, graduated from college. 

“Pinangako ko sa kanya, 'Nay matapos lang ako hindi na kayo maglalabada -- iiahon ko kayo kasi gusto ko rin maging inspirasyon ako ng mga kapatid ko,'” Apple said. 

(I promised my mother that after I'm done studying, she won't have to do the laundry anymore. I'll lift you from poverty to inspire my siblings.)

Knowing she never gave up on her dreams, Malou is now happy and enjoying the fruits of her hard work and sacrifices.

“Pinapangarap kong bahay, eto na pinapangarap kong kalan pa, pinapangarap kong side car, kotse, yun lang e. Sabi nga mangarap ka ng mataas pagsikapan mo,” Malou added. 

(I have been dreaming of a house, and I now have my dream stove, sidecar, and car — that's all. They say to dream big and work hard for it.) — Sherylin Untalan/GMA Integrated News