Many struggles often go unnoticed.
While enduring life's hardships, it is nearly everyone's dream to live comfortably and stress-free when they reach their elderly years. Unfortunately, not everyone is privileged to attain this objective.
For years, Yolanda Tomandao, 60, is among “beggars” roaming around the downtown area of Tacloban.
Nanay Yolanda never progressed beyond third grade. At the age of 25, she got married and bore two sons.
Because of her lack of formal education, she worked hard as a laundress to contribute to the household kitty, sacrificing her own health, with the end in view of a better life for her family.
As she approached the senior bracket, the target of a better life proved unattainable.
Begging For Survival
Under the scorching sun and with the constant noise at the corner of a bustling street, Nanay Yolanda is a regular fixture, begging, sitting with her face etched with undeniable weariness.
Jingling the coins in the can before her, she observes each passerby, hoping for a glimpse of kindness, a small amount as alms.
Every glance towards her carries the possibility of relief from her daily struggle to survive. At times, her silent plea often goes unnoticed.
“Kun mapaso-paso na ngan maguol na, napahuway ako. Pero nabalik la gehapon ako pangaro, dre poyde na umundang ako kay ngadi kami na kuha hin para bugas, pagkaon, ngan igbarayad kuryente,” Nanay Yolanda stated.
It was only earlier this year when she began begging for alms on the street. There she sat for five hours each day.
Nanay's Family
Nanay Yolanda is a resident of San Jose in Tacloban City where she lives with her oldest son, 30, and a grandson, 13.
Her second son lives in Samar with his own family. Unfortunately, they, too, lead a penurious life.
Her eldest has somehow gone to school. Now, he earns a living driving a friend's pedicab. His earnings are does not suffice for daily family needs.
This situation is particularly challenging as well for her 13-year-old grandson who is currently attending elementary school.
When asked about the impact of their situation on her grandson, Nanay Yolanda sighed in resignation. She simply said there is no other option.
“Mag-aano man ako kay waray daw kami makakaon?” she answered.
If she is lucky, Nanay Yolanda manages to collect at around P200 each day from begging.
Despite the modest amount, she expressed her gratitude to generous individuals who don't overlook her plea. Through their kind blessings, Nanay Yolanda survives every single day.
Financial Aid
“Dumaop gad kami ha barangay o ha gobyerno pero kay maiha man liwat hira manhatag,” she expressed in frustration. “Maguol. Makapoy. Makaarawod, pero gin iilob ko nala kay mag aano man ako kesa mangawat ako edi mas makaarawod ito” she tearfully added.
Due to her old age, Nanay Yolanda is not physically capable of enduring hours under the blazing heat, especially with the recent high heat index here in Tacloban City.
Unable to depend on the daily income of her son, she took it upon herself to persevere pleading for alms.
“Nasasakit ak sugad hirantan ubo pero amo iton biogesic nala tambal” she said.
Health At Risk
Nanay Yolanda has no extra budget for vitamin supplements and medication, should she be taken ill. Despite a previous check-up in government clinics, she remains uncertain of her current health status.
It is not easy to seek assistance from the government, she said, because of the burden imposed by excessive requirements on individuals seeking aid.
Those who are unable to meet the documentation needs are simply excluded.
“Damo tak nakitan na natatagan, sugad pedicab ngan iba pa na assistance, pero ako waray pa ako makakarawat. Waray pa liwat ako mag submit mga requirements kay dire man ako maaram, pati tak anak dire gehap maaram, parehos man kami mga waray makatapos,” she explained.
No Equal Access
Nanay Yolanda said that if the government would only extend assistance, she is more than willing to stop begging.
The truth is, not everyone has equal access to quality education or the opportunity to develop valuable skills, Nanay Yolanda lamented.
Systematic issues such as discrimination, limited resources, and economic disparities also significantly impact individuals' ability to break free from the cycle of poverty.
Life of Hope
Nanay Yolanda’s story is a realistic and typical model of preordained poverty. There are lots of loopholes in her life that could have been filled were it not for lack of funds and support services.
While each person's circumstance is unique, the influence of personal, social, and economic factors persists.
Despite all this, Nanay Yolanda has not stopped dreaming of a better, easier life.
For her, life springs eternal. She maintains her belief that her circumstances will soon improve, by God's grace.
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