By Marjorie Gorospe
INQUIRER.net
“Bili na kayo [Buy now], kamoteng kahoy”, this is the line which Aling Feliza dela Cruz would always yell to encourage passers-by to buy her product.
Dela Cruz, 60, lives alone in Baseco, Manila and sells kamoteng kahoy for a living.
To costumers, eating this crop means satisfying their hunger. But for her, it means survival. Dela Cruz gets her income from selling kamoteng kahoy for her weeklong supply of rice. If she’s lucky and earns extra, she might have something to buy coffee.
Sadly, a small portion of her sales goes to her because her supply of kamoteng kahoy is provided by her neighbor.
“When I do not have anything to eat, I just lie down on my bed and sleep,” Dela Cruz confessed.
As I chatted with her, she revealed years of hardships, which were evident in the wrinkles on her face.
When she was nine years old, Dela Cruz was recruited illegally to work as a house helper away from her home in Leyte, where her family was. She said her employer started beating her. Eventually, she was able to escape.
She also shared her horrific days with her live-in partner who drank all day than work. Eventually, she chose to live alone.
Dela Cruz said she spent most of her life “escaping” from an abusive employer, a bad marriage, and recently hunger, as she started selling the popular crop which she never really owns.
She revealed that she visits the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) where she eventually discovered that she had weak lungs. Much as she wants to buy medicine to help her lungs, her earnings are too meager.
Despite this condition, Dela Cruz continues selling kamoteng kahoy.
When asked about her wish in life, Dela Cruz said, “All I want is to see my siblings if ever they are still alive. I do not want to die here, where some people visit you not to condone but to gamble because during your funeral. I do not wish to die here”, she said, as tears rolled down her cheeks.
As our conversation ended, I watched her once again carrying the basketful of kamoteng kahoy.
29 Feedbacks on "Surviving through ‘kamoteng kahoy’"
thephotographer
she deserves something better at the end of his days.
thephotographer
she deserves something better at the end of her days.
Virginia
Is Aling Feliza really wanting to go home? And if so, how much will it cost as fare. If we can help with that but as we are in another country and we know that Baseco has a Gawad Kalinga village there, it could be possible to send her fare through them. Better yet, someone could purchase a ticket fare for her. Please let us know.
ELLEN
please let me know how could i help this lady in going home to her native leyte. is there a way someone could help her locate any of her long lost siblings?
Bong
She really needs help. I want to help her. I think people who are financially capable of helping Aling Feliza should start thinking of helping the poor lady.
pugprince
i want to give a small amount to help her. i want to make a difference.
leoni
Hi Marjorie (the author)
I am more than willing to help her, please let me know how.
Thanks
My Blog » Blog Archive » Surviving through ‘kamoteng kahoy’
[...] Surviving through ‘kamoteng kahoy’ 10/24/08 [...]
vicky
How can I help Aling Feliza? I am going to the Phils this coming dec 6 and wanted to see or talk to her. If she wants to go back to her birthplace I will be glad to pay for her fare.
vicky
Its’ disheartening to hear that people are dying of hunger and illness because of their poor situations. For Aling Feliza, there are people who wanted to help you.
Susan
I would like to help her probably with a little pocket money since someone already offered transportation money. Please let me know where to send it.
But first and foremost, is someone helping her locate her siblings?
Marjorie Gorospe
hi to all the readers of this blog. i know we all wish something better for Aling Feliza. We’re glad to tell you that we’re working on how all of you can help her. We promise to give you an update on Aling Feliza’s story. We’ll keep you posted.
Carol
we should also make sure she gets the medicines she needs, so that she may be healthy. Whatever is ailing her is probably curable and with the right medicines, she will enjoy her family reunion better
Tat
I also want to help.. how much is the fare? Is there a way that we can course our help thru INQ?
DB
Hello, Marjorie.
Times are tough and lay-offs are happening where I work, but my woes are mere drops in the bucket in the greater scheme of things. I would like to help in fulfilling Aling Feliza’s wish this Christmas. Will you help me bring her a little something so she can get home to her siblings for Christmas? I am outside the country so please let me know where to contact you so I can send the money, and if you can just go a bit further, please advice how much is the fare to Leyte as I have no idea how inflation has caught up in the past decade. Please e-mail me back. Thank you.
lany
hi, i’d like to help her. Probably those people who’s financially capable, that visit this blog can start raising fund for her. Not just for the fare going to Leyte But for her livelihood as well.
For soul
She is not the only one that needed help in fact most of filipino people are starving. The government should do something to help the poor but they’re not doing that because they’re only spending the taxespayer’s money to their own endeavor. My heart goes out for her and the rest of poor people who needed help!
lakay bautista
after reading her story, I could not help but weep. It reminded me when I was growing up. I would like to help her go back to her birthplace where she would like to rest in peace whenever her time comes. I would like to her smile and be happy once again. It’s a shame that someone has to endure this kind of life it could happen to anyone. It happens even in the western world believe it or not but this is my birthplace and I would like to her first. Please let me know can I reach her.
lakay bautista
Please send me her full name address and some pictures when she’s settled. You have mine. I am out of town so please reply.
Taxj
Those who help Aling Feliza are twice blessed: for sharing and for being able to. We are more concerned with the millions and millions of filipinos who are like her though. We see no relief for them. Not in the change of government espoused by CBCP nor in the 2010 elections! Federalism will only make matters worse.
Our group here acting on CBCP’s call for communal action concluded that the best course of action is a revolution by local government officials to force Congress and the Senate for more LGU share in the powers and wealth of the national government so they can take more active roles in coping with our problems. The national government cannot do it alone. Unfortunately, they were deceived into thinking that they will have more autonomy under federalism.
Mere amendments to the local government code will do. No need for charter change.
Marjorie Gorospe
thank you for all your replies. again, we’re now working on how all your help can reach Aling Feliza. It’s nice to know that at the end of the day, no matter where we are.. we still have the heart for our fellowmen. again, we’ll keep you posted and let’s make her happy this Christmas!
jenny
Hi Marjorie,
It was nice to know that quite a lot of people have extended their intention of helping aling feliza go home to her hometown in leyte. Please - would you be able to send me her new contact details (at least an address and a phone number) in leyte (once she gets there) so I can arrange on sending her some money w/c she can use in starting a new livelihood there.
Thanks so much.
Jhen
Vicky Bourner
It seems poverty will always be the problem in our homeland. It doesn’t matter who sits in the government, the problem remains. Life’s got harder anywhere, especially nowadays with the downfall of world economy. Kamoteng kahoy is my Tatay’s favorite and it also reminded me when we were young - he used to cook it for quick snacks, one of the things that I really miss. My best for Aling Feliza.
Joe
Marjorie,
This is a heartbreaking story. I’m sure that there are other people who are in the same plight like Aling Feliza.
I’d like to help her in any way I can. Please email me back. Thanks.
sernan
It is so nice to see that still there are people with kind heart that is more than willing to help… Please let me know if these comments above materialized….
sernan
thanks for the reply marjorie, please keep us posted…
Marjorie Gorospe
Hi Joe,
we’ll keep you posted
lany
keep us posted marjorie, hope we can give her a good christmas present.
and to all who pledge their help, More blessing to all of you and good health
sernan
xmas is over.. what happened here?
Please Leave a Comment!