A live-in couple, both widowed, has been blessed with triplets. To support their now 16 children, they rely on making bamboo baskets.

Meet Althea, Altheo, and Athena — the triplets who have captured the hearts of residents of Barangay Bega, San Carlos City. Althea, the eldest of the three, is said to be a crybaby, while Altheo is playful and Athena is quiet.

Their parents, Cecilia Macam, 41, and Romulo Perez, 61, have been together for just over a year.

The couple did not expect to have three but considers the triplets a blessing.

She discovered she was carrying triplets when she was five months pregnant, which surprised the family. 

"Doon ko nalaman na triplets dahil mabigat ang tiyan ko. Hindi ako makapaniwala kaya nagpa-ultrasound [tapos] namonitor kaagad," Macam said.

"Hindi ko expect na ganitong tatlo, nabigla ako noong nag-ultrasound siya… Masaya naman ako na lumabas sila, masaya na tatlo ang ibinigay," Perez said.

Both Macam and Perez were widowed before finding each other.

Perez has seven children from his first marriage, and Macam has six from hers. With the arrival of the twins, they now have 16.

Crafting bamboo baskets is what supports the family. 

"Medyo hirap kasi habang lumalaki ang bata ay lumalaki ang gastos kasi palaki nang palaki [sila]... matakas na ‘yung lalaki," Macam said.

The couple's only wish is for their children to grow up healthy, well-behaved, and God-fearing.