By Rex Catubig

(Last of a series on ordinary but exemplary women in celebration of Women’s Month)

AT the beach where a naval landing had made history, the same beach that has produced the legend of a rags-to-riches Matutina, other enterprising women vendors today do not even come remotely close to the parameters of the phenomenon. They have neither made even footnotes in history, nor have been favored with fifteen seconds of fame.

They are frozen in time, caught in a time warp, ensnared by the net of misfortune. For time has not only stood still for them, but they are oblivious of the dream that has passed them by. That does not negate, however, the fact that they are tenacious and though are not as lucky, remain indefatigable. They stay afloat the rip tide, and swim ashore, to walk the shoreline to earn their living.

A typical day starts at 4 a.m. for Violeta who sells pan-fried red peanuts and green mangoes. She’s been a widow for 5 years, with 4 children who already have families of their own. At 74 , she’s still sprightly and has been walking the beach from sunup to sundown–as late as 8 p.m., for as long as the cresting blue waves have been lapping over the sandy shores.

Mila is younger at 63. But she and her husband, who died last year, have been prolific and were endowed with 8 children. Like Violeta, hawking peanuts and mangoes along the beach is a way of life. She says she cannot imagine being housebound: “Anap-anapey laman ko“, (My body yearns for it) she reasons out why she continues to plod on, trudging the sandy shore from end to end.

Their work ethic is something to be proud of, for sure. But it belies the sad truth that each earns a measly P200 ($4) at the end of the long day. No matter how you stretch your arm, the hand would be hard put to reach the mouth in such an instance.

It’s a disturbing thought but the teetering sunset nudged by the wondrous wind and wave, seems to auger that despite the paucity of luck, the fizzling of dream, the uncertainty of time, the unquestioning heart would keep its rhythm and the spirit of survival will not drown in the cross currents of life’s storm surge.

It comes from the realization that their being a woman does not pose a hindrance in their pursuit of what life has to offer. They may not measure up to the seal of good housekeeping, but they do not answer to any standard. Their self-confidence comes naturally as their instinct for living life. What is important is despite the handicap that life may have unfairly imposed on them, they hold no grudge and easily keep faith. Their strength derives from the fullness of their trusting heart, simple and naïve as it may be.

“Walay panangasi Diyos, basta mankimey ka”. The Lord blesses those who toil.

That’s the life vest of our unsinkable women.

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