With four young children, including a baby boy, Violy lost her husband when they were both only 31 years old. One night, he went out drinking with friends at a nearby sari-sari store. A petty argument broke out. One of the men left, returned with a knife, and stabbed him once — deep and long — in the side. He died later at the hospital.
His brother met a similar fate in another town. During a drinking session, he was stabbed more than ten times. Yet he survived and is still alive today. The man who attacked him was released after serving only five years in jail.
Violy would sometimes reflect on the cruel irony of it all. Her brother-in-law, she would say, survived despite being, in her words, “not a good person.” Her husband, on the other hand, was mabait — kind and gentle — yet he died immediately.
She never remarried. Instead, she devoted her life to raising her four children, working tirelessly to provide for them. She turned away suitors, firm in her decision not to expose her children to the possible risks of having another man in the house.
Now, at 65, Violy is preparing for retirement and looking forward to helping care for her six-year-old apo — entering a quieter chapter of life shaped by sacrifice, resilience, and enduring love for her family.
Tinola ni Violy. Kaya we don’t miss Antonia.
I thought I had finally found someone to replace Violy as our lavandera. I interviewed a woman over the phone who said she previously worked for Rey ‘PJ’ Abellana — sa second wife daw. She started as a lavandera but eventually took on additional household duties, including cooking, when other helpers left during the pandemic.
She described him as mabait and simple when it came to food. Whatever the household ate, he ate too. Favorites daw: ginisang munggo and pritong isda.
I asked her why she didn’t just return to the job. She said her salary had remained at ₱10,000 a month for years.
She was supposed to arrive today with another lavandera, but there was a misunderstanding. Later, she explained that she couldn’t handle cleaning duties because cooking alone was already demanding. Akala niya, she would also be expected to clean the entire house. But that was never the arrangement. The kusinera only needs to maintain the kitchen and dining area, while other helpers handle the rest of the house.
Violy, on the other hand, is incredibly masipag. Since the day she arrived, she has worked continuously — no complaints, no fuss. She manages things quietly on her own and even watches over little Theo whenever the nanny steps away for coffee.
Dylan smiles every time he sees Violy.
And surely, Theo will look for her once she’s gone — just as he searched for Ephene and Ligaya last week.
Another applicant for the lavandera position said she was willing to wash clothes only — hindi raw siya magpaplantsa. Nowadays, we really have to be very specific about the job description: laba, plantsa, tupi, and even basic walis-walis duties should all be clearly stated from the beginning.
Then came the scammer. Na-scam kami.
Our new kusinera recommended a maid named Arlene, who claimed she was originally from Nueva Ecija but was currently living in Bicol. She sounded eager to work and asked for ₱1,650 for her bus transportation from Bicol. Later, she rounded it up to ₱2,000, saying she also needed money for food during the trip.
After that, she requested ₱2,500 instead so she could leave ₱500 for her children before leaving. We agreed and sent the money.
But she never showed up.
She simply took the ₱2,500 — raket pala niya. Apparently, marami na rin siyang naloko using the same modus.
