This Labor Day, we honor not only those in factories and offices but also the silent strength of community builders like Lynie Libero from Coron, Palawan—a woman whose journey from hardship to hope shows us the true meaning of work, dignity, and love.

Lynie Libero once described her family’s life as being like fireflies—tiny lights flickering in the vast darkness. Their days were filled with labor and sacrifice, their joys few but meaningful, their hope fragile yet persistent.

Living in a small house made of salvaged materials in a remote area of Coron, Lynie and her family survived on modest earnings.

With a monthly income of around five thousand pesos—occasionally reaching eight thousand during a good harvest—they barely made ends meet.

“Life was simple. Our daily earnings were just enough for our needs. We couldn’t afford to rest because our children depended on us,” Lynie recalled.

Their children walked more than an hour to school, carrying water buckets and machetes—not toys—as they tended to a small vegetable garden.

Despite their perseverance, Lynie and her husband knew they needed to make a change.

They moved closer to her mother’s home, hoping to find better opportunities and more support. But the challenges didn’t end there.

Her husband turned to fishing, while Lynie sold snacks to add to their income. They also faced marital issues—another storm Lynie weathered with strength and faith in their family.

In 2010, a significant shift came when the Libero family became part of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

“I can’t deny that this program changed our family,” Lynie said.

As a Parent Leader for over 13 years, Lynie attended various trainings that helped her grow not just in confidence but in capacity.

She became a Barangay Gender and Development Leader, an officer of the Parent-Teacher Association, a Women’s Association Officer, and an active member of Couples for Christ.

“If not for the program, I would have remained a housewife. Cooking, taking care of the children, and cleaning the house would have been my whole world,” she said.

Today, the change is evident. Her husband now works as a speedboat operator at a well-known island resort. Their once makeshift home is now partly concrete.

Their children are in school, clothed and equipped, and involved in community groups like Youth for Christ.

The family credits much of their growth to the Family Development Sessions (FDS)—especially the lessons on parenting and the importance of education.

“We always set aside money for our children’s education. If not for what we learned, I might have told them that knowing how to read, write, and count was enough,” Lynie shared.

Now, they celebrate birthdays together. They enjoy simple meals out as a family. They have moved from mere survival to a life of shared joy and purpose.

From a quiet life in the mountains to a visible role in the community, Lynie’s journey is an embodiment of how even the faintest light can grow into a steady flame.

This Labor Day, her story is more than a celebration—it’s a reminder.

A reminder that all forms of work—whether at home, on land, at sea, or in service of others—are honorable.

A reminder that resilience, when nurtured, becomes leadership.

And most of all, a reminder that behind every strong community are people like Lynie Libero—whose labor is driven not by the pursuit of recognition, but by the power of love.###

Story Contributor: Christian L. Camenade, Municipal Link, Coron, Palawan