A labandera is a Filipino term for a woman who works as a laundry washer, often washing clothes by hand for other households to earn a living. This term is commonly used in the Philippines to describe women who take on this job as a means of livelihood, especially in informal work settings.
It’s remarkable for a labandera to send children to school—especially all the way through college—because laundry work is typically low-wage, labor-intensive, and physically demanding. In the Philippines, labanderas usually earn a modest income that barely covers basic living expenses, so managing to save enough for tuition, books, and other school-related costs is an incredible feat.
Achieving this, especially for multiple children, requires immense sacrifice, hard work, and careful budgeting. It often means that the mother must take on multiple jobs, work long hours, and find creative ways to stretch her earnings. This dedication is a testament to a parent’s love and determination to provide a better life and future for their children, breaking the cycle of poverty through education.
Netizens continue to admire a laundry worker who managed to put not just one, two, but six children through college—all of whom are now degree holders!
In a report by GMA News Online in May, netizens praised the resourcefulness of 67-year-old Malou Certeza, who worked as a laundry woman for five different families after her husband lost his job. Her husband also helped her with carrying and hanging up the laundry.
Photo courtesy: Malou Certeza (FB)
In addition to doing laundry, they all pitched in to find other ways to earn a living. They ventured into selling snacks like banana cue, sweet potato cue, and more. Even their children worked hard to continue their studies.
“‘Yong panganay ko pagkagaling sa school maglalako ‘yan ng banana-cue, ng kamote-cue, may pambaon siya bukas. ‘Yong pangalawa, katulong ko sa paglalabada taga-banlaw ko. ‘Yong mister ko naman ang tagahatid ng labada at tagatanggal ng sampay,” she said.
Malou decided to ensure her children finished their education and struggled to support their studies because she didn’t want them to remain in poverty—a cycle that could eventually be passed on to her future grandchildren.
When her eldest, Apple, graduated, she promised her parents that she would willingly help support her siblings’ education to lift their family out of poverty.
Photo courtesy: Malou Certeza (FB)
Today, they are reaping the rewards of their hard work.
