For over 20 years, 61-year-old Merlita Reyes has spent her days stitching clothes — and her nights sacrificing sleep — to raise her nine children on her own.

When her husband passed away early, Reyes turned to sewing to support her family.

Her humble work as a seamstress became the sole source of income that helped her children finish school.

“Yung ginagawa kong kagaya nito, tinuturo ko sa kanila. Kaya ngayon may sarili na rin silang pwesto-pwesto,” she said, referring to how she taught her children the trade.

Even when she's sick, Reyes never stopped working.

“Yung nagtatrabaho ako, iniiwan ko ‘yung mga anak ko kahit may sakit, pumapasok ako. Umaalis ako, tulog sila. Umuuwi ako, tulog sila,” she said.

Now, she takes joy in knowing that her hard work paid off.

“Masaya naman kahit mag-isa lang ako, naitaguyod ko sila sa ganitong buhay, ganitong trabaho,” Reyes said.