(Miralles family picture with Annie wearing a black face mask)
Photo Courtesy: Annie Miralles
Every mom is not just a mom; they’re supermoms for they sacrifice the most, love us the most, and understand us the most. They made things impossible to possible and they’re what we need to survive with comfort in the world of cruelty.
For a Catholic nation, Holy Week is one of the important traditions for Filipinos. It is an annual observance that allows us to reflect on the sufferings of Christ from our sins.
Pandemic or not, it did not stop Annie Miralles, a 37-year-old vendor, and a single parent of three, from grabbing this year’s Holy Week as a work opportunity.
Upon entering the Lenten season, on Palm Sunday, we can see palaspas being sold along the sidewalks of the church, where Annie is also a vendor.
Just like how Jesus Christ sacrificed for us, Annie has also shown her selflessness as a mother by selling five times a week in Quiapo.
“Kasabay nito, dito ako namulat sa totoong kalakaran ng buhay lansangan,” she said.
(English translation: At the same time, here, I became aware of the reality of street life.)
Her job is already tough as it is, but what surprised her was the dangers that tagging along with her job.
“Nakakita na ako ng aktwal na dukot at laslas bag dito, sigawan ng mga kapwa kong tindera sa tuwing nag-aaway sila, [at] pakikipag habulan sa mga DPS (Department of Police Services) at pulis pag may operation sila,” she added.
(English translation: I’ve already seen an actual handcuffed and slashed bag here, my fellow shopkeepers shouted every time they fought., and the chasing of DPS and police when they have an operation.)
Despite those encounters, she always makes sure to be careful in everything she does, for she knows that her family is waiting for her to come home safely.
Although selling palaspas is just a seasonal source of income, she also takes this opportunity to sell other stuff that could add up to her earnings.
“Malakas ang benta [ng mga pagkain, tubig, at face towel] pag Holy Week sa kadahilanang karamihan sa mga tindahan sa paligid ng simbahan ng Quiapo ay sarado kaya kaming mga vendor ito madalas naming ibenta,” she said.
(English translation: Sales [of food, water, and face towels] are strong during Holy Week because most of the shops around the Quiapo church are closed, so we vendors often sell it.)
Regularly, Annie could be seen in Quiapo church with sampaguita, small saints, rosaries, and candles that are often purchased by devotees.
A woman whose priority is the welfare of her children; let’s give it up to all the mothers out there who always had our backs; truly, as they say, “mothers know best”.
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