Aling Nene's story is the struggle of many Pinoy

JUST BE By Bernadette Sembrano
The Philippine Star 04/30/2006

 

We plan for so many things in life: a vacation to the beach, the college to enroll in, what to cook for the family, the stocks to invest in, or simply, the movie to watch on a Friday night.

Last Tuesday, I asked Nene, a lady I met at the pier what her plans are. She paused for a few seconds before she gave her answer, and she was not even certain. "Maybe I’ll get a birth certificate for my children. I worry about them," she said in Filipino.

Nene Rosel, with husband Ronnie and five children live in the two-foot high space under a deserted truck’s belly or chassis. A few days ago, they occupied a container van, also in the area, but the shipping company evicted them.

Despite this, she has no plans of finding a safer place for her family to live in although it is something she wishes for. But reality kicks in – the P300 her husband earns in a day is only enough for food. On most days, it’s not even enough. Their youngest son is bottle-fed with water and sugar, instead of milk.

They live under the scorching heat of the sun, aggravated by frying hot metal container vans in the area. They breathe in the poisonous carbon monoxide emitted by trucks and live near a dumpsite swarming with flies.

This is the environment where one of their children caught dengue. Because of poverty, they didn’t have money to have him treated. The child grew weak and simply requested that his parents bring him to church. On his deathbed, their son asked his father to stay with him, but had no choice but to fetch water to sell. Otherwise the entire family would starve. When Ronnie arrived, his son was dead.

This is the life they can afford. Free boarding has its risks, but they would rather take it because they don’t really have a choice. You need money to pay for electricity and rent. Ronnie’s plan is to find another container van where he can move in his family.

Meanwhile, Nene’s plan is to save up for the birth certificates of her children so she can enroll them in a public school. Out of five kids, only one is enrolled. Their eldest child, Rubilyn, is in Grade 1, fourth honor in her class… and 11 years old! She was admitted because the teacher felt sorry for her. But next school year, she’s required to present her birth certificate. Otherwise, she won’t be admitted to Grade 2. That, until now is a problem.

Nene tells me their life wasn’t as difficult when they just had three children in Ormoc province. But they decided to take their chances in Manila.

Their story is the struggle of many Filipinos from the provinces who once dreamed of a better life in Manila, but failed.

If you have no plans on May 1, tomorrow late (late) night, catch them in ABS-CBN after Insider, in my first documentary for The Correspondents: Dayo.

Incidentally, I want to wish my Mama Elaine a happy 60th birthday. Now officially a senior citizen but vibrant as ever! Love you, Mama! (Mama clips all the articles about me. With your indulgence, I’d like to add this to her collection! Salamat po.)