“Anak ka lang nang anak, hindi mo naman kayang panindigan na pag-aralin.”

These words, sharp as daggers, once echoed in Marisa Ricohermoso’s mind—a painful reminder of how society often sees women like her: struggling mothers, weighed down by poverty, dismissed as nothing more than bearers of children. But Marisa was never one to surrender to circumstances. Instead of letting those words define her, she used them as fuel to rise above, to prove that a woman’s strength is not measured by her hardships, but by how she overcomes them.

Living in Barangay Bayakbakin in the peaceful town of Torrijos, Marinduque, Marisa, 45, and her husband had little to call their own. With only an elementary education and no stable jobs, they labored tirelessly—cooking, weaving wigs, and extracting coconut milk—just to feed their five children.

Their home was a fragile hut with wooden walls, their days filled with sweat and sacrifice. Despite their struggles, Marisa held onto one dream: to give her children an education, a chance at a life better than hers.

But dreams often come at a painful price. Her children braved three rivers and climbed steep mountains just to reach school. There were days when meals were nothing but boiled sweet potatoes. At night, exhaustion lulled Marisa to sleep on the same floor where she spent her day working. 

During this time, her husband, Larry, struggled with alcoholism, putting additional strain on their already fragile situation. Marisa, though devastated, never lost hope. Every night, she would pray for change, trusting that one day things would improve.

“Naiiyak na lang ako tuwing gabi pero naniniwala ako na sa tulong ng Diyos, magbabago rin ang buhay namin,” Marisa shares.

For her, it was not an easy conversation, but her strength and resolve sparked a change in Larry. He chose to stop drinking, and this turning point marked the beginning of their family’s transformation.

In 2010, they were selected as one of the recipients of the government’s poverty reduction program, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), giving them at least a chance. Through the program, Marisa received financial assistance that ensured her children could continue their studies without sacrificing basic needs. Instead of merely surviving, they began to thrive.

With every payout, Marisa prioritized food, school supplies, and savings. She eagerly attended Family Development Sessions (FDS), learning about financial literacy and parenting, realizing that empowerment goes beyond financial aid—it’s about gaining the knowledge and confidence to build a future.

Her children, inspired by their mother’s perseverance, excelled in school. One became a MIMAROPA qualifier in sports, another consistently landed on the honor roll. And after years of sacrifices, two of her children graduated from college—one in Drafting Technology, the other in Agriculture Technology. Her once-ramshackle home now stands with concrete walls, a symbol of how far they’ve come.

Marisa’s quest is more than just escaping poverty. The woman who was once ridiculed for “having many children” is now a woman who raised future professionals and an inspiration to fellow mothers who struggle as she once did.

Rooted in her nerve-wracking experience, she confidently gives advice to other mothers, saying:

“Ako ngani ay nakaya ko, kaya niyo rin ‘yan. Huwag ninyong hayaang tumigil ang inyong anak sa pag-aaral kahit mahirap. Nakayanan ko ngani, kaya mo rin! At kapag nakapagtapos ‘yang mga ‘yan, ay naku!”

Her words resonate with strength: success and empowerment are not about wealth; they are about the strength to persevere, to rise above life’s challenges, and to never stop dreaming. She is proof that even when life starts from scratch—when the soil is barren and the rain scarce—through hard work, faith, and determination, you can rise above poverty and create a future filled with hope.

“Huwag laang ako magnakaw! Ginawa namin ang lahat para mapatapos sila.”

These words, once spoken in desperation, are now spoken with pride. Because Marisa is no longer just a mother burdened by poverty—she is a woman who conquered it.

Her story is a call to all women: Your struggles do not define you. Your strength does.###

Story: Jude Carlo Colopano, Marinduque State University Intern, Former 4Ps Monitored Child