Albay Teacher Embodies Strength and Resilience as a Widowed Single Mother

Albay, Philippines — This Mother’s Day, the story of Dona Marie Marcayda-Loveres, a 39-year-old public school teacher from Albay province, highlights the profound resilience and dedication of widowed mothers facing the challenges of single parenthood. Marcayda-Loveres, who became a widow and a single mother of two young boys in 2014, has navigated the complexities of raising children alone while balancing her professional and personal responsibilities.

According to Philippines News Agency, the journey has been anything but easy since her husband died from bacterial meningitis, leaving her to raise their two toddlers alone. The early years of widowhood were marked by a constant struggle to manage grief, child-rearing, and financial burdens simultaneously. “I had to juggle my time taking care of my kids, doing school work, working as a private tutor, and selling everything from cheese sticks to cooked corn just to earn money because I needed to buy milk, diapers, and my school needs—all while grieving for my spouse. It was not a simple journey,” she recalled.

One particularly touching moment came during Mother’s Day 2020, when her sons, then aged 8 and 9, presented her with handmade cards and their savings, a poignant gesture that underscored their awareness of the family’s financial struggles. “I remember how hard I cried because I never realized that even at such a young age, they understood our struggles,” Marcayda-Loveres shared.

The solo journey of parenthood also forced Marcayda-Loveres to assume dual roles in her children’s lives, often switching between mother and father to meet their emotional and practical needs. “When they were young, every time I went to work, I would tell them, ‘Papa will go out now to buy the things that you need,’ and when I finally arrived home, I would say, ‘Mama is here now to take care of you,'” she explained.

Despite the continuous challenges, Marcayda-Loveres has found ways to cope with the feelings of guilt and inadequacy that often accompany single parenthood. She emphasized the importance of self-compassion and celebrating small victories. “I congratulate myself for small wins. Whenever I am able to juggle private tutoring sessions after a day’s work at school and still find time to assist my sons with their homework, I feel very fulfilled,” she said.

Now that her sons are approaching their teenage years, Marcayda-Loveres remains committed to being an available and supportive parent, despite the demands of her job as a teacher and her side businesses in tutoring and printing. Mother’s Day remains a special occasion in their household, filled with expressions of love and gratitude from her sons, who acknowledge her strength and resilience.

Marcayda-Loveres’s story serves as an inspiration to other widowed mothers navigating similar paths. She remains hopeful and faith-driven, a beacon of strength not just for her children but for other single parents facing adversity. “No matter how hard life may seem, even when we don’t understand why things happen, we must remember that there is always somebody up there who will always light our way,” she concluded.