On peak seasons such as Christmas and Holy Week, she would have three to four patrons a night. “Hanggat merun, sige lang ng sige,” she said, “hindi ko naman ginagawa ito para magpasarap lang.” (While there is a customer, I go on and on. I am not doing this to enjoy.)

Sandy has three children to feed, she said, and her husband has left them for good. She spends P500 ($10.35) every month for rent because she sold the rights to her lot at the relocation center.

“Gusto ko sana mamasukan kasi madami din naman akong alam bukod sa humilata sa kama kaya lang walang mapasukang trabaho dito,” (I would have wanted to work because I have a lot of skills aside from lying in bed, but there is no work here.), she added.

Sandy said she has now turned into being a mamasan (pimp) to earn a living, a job she shares with her 68-year-old mother, Belinda (not her real name). “Syempre, tumatanda na ako, nababawasan na ng customer. Pero minsan, pag may nago-offer sinusunggaban ko na rin para mas malaki ang kita” (Of course, I am getting old so my customers are fewer now. But sometimes if there is an offer I still take it to earn more.), she explains.

Days when there are no customers, Sandy said, her mother would scavenge scrap materials at the nearby dump and sell these to the nearest junkshop. The small earnings from junk could at least provide them a meal, Sandy said.

“Pwede na rin pantawid gutom,” (Just to tide us over the hunger.), she said as she shrugs her shoulders. (Bulatlat.com)

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