MOTHERS will fight, endure, and sacrifice for there is nothing they can’t do for their children.
This is the common denominator of the mother – employees’ of Elysia Wellness Spa. Despite their busy and demanding work schedule, these five “MOMployees” still managed to fulfil the most difficult job there is in the world.
In this feature, we talked straight to five MOMployees of Elysia and got a glimpse of their sacrifices and challenges as a mother.
Jennifer Paquibot, 34, single mom
She braved Manila years ago to provide a better life for her son. It was never easy but she endured the pain and longing for some four years.
When she decided to settle back in Davao City, Jennifer had a hard time finding a job here because of age requirements, until Elysia Wellness Spa happened.
“I went back here because I missed so much my family especially my son. But behind the undeniable happiness was the fear of not finding a decent job here because I was already 30 years old that time. But when I applied in Elysia, I was hired, they’ve given me a chance and opportunity again, with my work I was able to become a better mother,” she said.
Now, Jennifer is pursuing her long-stalled dream: finish college. She is now juggling work as the operations manager, school (Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management in the University of Mindanao), and being a loving single mother.
Rosa “Eri” Escoba, 41, single mom
This former Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) raised her daughter alone. After trying her fate in Japan she settled in the city and looked for a regular job to eke out a living with her daughter.
“All of my savings were poured in raising my daughter alone, so I look for a job that would support us and luckily I went to Elysia,” she said in vernacular. Eri is one of the pioneer employees of the wellness spa.
At present, she is now the licensed trainer of Elysia.
“I want to become a role model to my daughter. I also want to make her understand that massage therapists should not be judged as we are working decently here unlike others,” she shared.
Eri was proud that her work in Elkysia made her a good provider despite raising her daughter on her own.
Ana Danan, 44, mother of 4
For Ana, her work schedule makes it difficult to be with her children physically always. She would work from afternoon until dawn while her children sleep and wakes up late in the morning while the kids are at school.
But her sacrifice was understood well by her children as they feel that their mother is always finding a way to make time for them.
“I always make it a point to give time during my day offs, at times, I would drag myself early in the morning just to prepare them breakfast even though I only had a few hours of sleep,” she said.
She joined Elysia in 2015, now as a receptionist she could say that working in the wellness spa enabled her to provide better to her children. Her eldest was also among the first beneficiaries of the educational assistance program of the company.
“Life is better here in Elysia, I can now bring my kids to restaurants unlike before,” she shared.
Mary Jane Pitugo, 30, mother of 3
With her family living in Padada, Davao del Sur, every day is a struggle for Mary, but working for Elysia made her life better.
“The fact that you’re away from your family while you are working is a great sacrifice. But there are things you need to do for your family, and as a mother I’ll do it just to provide them a better life,” she said adding she only gets to be with her family every 15 days.
But she found a second family in Elysia.
“Ever since, I had this feeling that I am really for this industry and I’m happy that I am here,” Mary shared.
Miriam Proneta, 46, mother of 3
She joined Elysia at 45 after her two children finish college.
“After I stop my small business, I was asking God to give me a job that would enable me to send my youngest to school. I was hesitant at first because I was too old but Elysia accepted and for that I am thankful,” she said.
For Miriam, working in the company gives her fulfilment knowing that her clients are satisfied.
“Every day I work here, matanggal pud ako stress, it makes me even a better mother,” she said.
Elysia Wellness Spa, a homegrown company in Davao City presently employs 50 individuals, 83 percent of these are mothers.