FROM farming to vending to working alongside men in construction areas, Gemma Tanutan has done it all.

“Natutunan kong kumayod ng higit pa sa kailangan para sa aking limang anak. Wala akong hindi kayang gawin para lang maibigay sa kanila ang kanilang pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan at pag-aaral (I have to work so hard for my five children. There is nothing I cannot do for them, to ensure that their daily needs are met and they attend school),” Gemma said.

Gemma, 48, of Brgy. Velasco, Lemery, Iloilo is a solo parent. Her husband, Evelio, left for Manila 10 years ago to look for a job. He never returned since then. Until now, Gemma said they do not have a clue as to his whereabouts.

Left with five growing children, the eldest of whom was 10 years old then, Gemma focused on how she would provide for their needs.

“Bilang isang ina, tungkulin kong tugunan ang kanilang pangangailangan, mapagtapos sila hanggang kolehiyo, at mapalaki ng maayos at may takot sa Diyos (As a mother, it is my duty to take care of them, see that they finish college, and ensure that they grow up responsible and they have fear of God),” Gemma said.

Gemma embarked on buy-and-sell business. She would buy or harvest vegetables and root crops from their backyard garden and sell these in the neighboring municipality of Concepcion. Most of the time, she would trade her vegetables and root crops to dried fishes that abound in Concepcion. She then would sell these dried fishes back in Lemery.

When she’s not vending, Gemma accepts jobs in the farm – planting, weeding or harvesting. Sometimes, she would bring her three elder sons to help out — Ferdinand, Bryan King and Jawo.

In 2010, their family was included in the first batch of more than 400 beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in their municipality. The program covers two of Gemma’s children – Gibb, now 14 years old, and Jebie, now 13.

“Maswerte ako at lumaking matatalino ang mga anak ko. Lagi silang may honor sa klase (I’m blessed because my children are all intelligent. They always receive honors in school),” Gemma said.

SCHOLARS
“Ang tatlo kong anak na sina Ferdinand, Bryan King at Jawo ay nakapagpatuloy sa college dahil sa scholarship. Pero kahit scholar na, naging working student pa din sila para may pang dagdag sa gastusin (Three of my children were able to continue college education through scholarship grants. But even if they are already scholars, they still enlisted as working students so they would have money for other needs),” Gemma said.

Ferdinand was able to complete his Associate in Marine Engineering through the “Iskolar sang Quinto” program of the Office of the Representative from the Fifth District of Iloilo. At present, he works as laborer to save for his apprenticeship.

Jawo is also an Iskolar sang Quinto recipient and is now on his first year taking up Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. Bryan King, meanwhile, is on his third year in Hotel and Restaurant Management course.

COMMUNITY WORK
Gemma may prioritize her income-generating jobs, but her presence is very much felt in the affairs in their community and in her children’s schools. She is an officer of Parent-Teachers Associations, a Barangay Service Point Officer, and member of their Community Health Team and Women’s Organization, among others.

In 2013, Gemma led other women in their barangay to volunteer in the construction of a three-classroom school building funded by the KALAHI-CIDSS-Australian Aid.

“Malaking bahagi ng buhay ko ang pakikipagtulungan para mabuo ang eskwelahan. Una, natugunan ang pangarap namin na magkaroon ng eskwelahan sa aming barangay. Kung wala ito, siguro patuloy pa ring naglalakad ng ilang kilometro ang mga anak ko para marating ang eskwelahan sa kabilang barangay (The construction of the classroom made a great impact in my life. First, it made our dream of having a school within our community a reality. Had it not been for this, our children would still be walking several kilometers to reach school located in the next barangay),” she said.

“Pangalawa, napatunayan ko sa sarili ko at sa ibang tao na kaya rin ng mga kababaihan ang hard labor. Proud akong sabihin na ako’y naging panday, pintor at kargador. At naging instrumento ako upang mapadali ang pagpapatayo ng eskwelahan (Secondly, I was able to prove to myself and to others that women can also do hard labor. I’m proud to say that I became a carpenter, painter and hauler. And I was an instrument in the fast completion of this classroom),” she added.

A single mother she may be, facing so many challenges, but Gemma proved she can accomplish so many things. She also remains thankful of the blessings she receives.

“Hindi madali pero kung may tiyaga at nangingibabaw ang mga pangarap mo ay kakayanin mo. Kaya ko ang pagbabago dahil sa tulong ng aking mga anak, ng aming komunidad at ng ating gobyerno. Malaking pasasalamat namin na mga benepisaryo ng Pantawid Pamilya dahil ngayon, tuloy-tuloy na ang pag-aaral ng aming mga anak sa high school. Napakalaking tulong nito sa akin (It’s not easy but if you persevere to really reach your dreams, you can. I was able to change our lives for the better because of the support I get from my children, our community and our government. We are really thankful that our children would be able to complete high school because of Pantawid Pamilya’s expansion. This is a big help to me),” Gemma said. (DSWD6/ Alma Jornadal-Estember)