'I've Been A Washer, Street Sweeper, And More. Now I'm A Teacher And Grad Student'

Last March 2021, we asked our readers to submit their answers to this question: “How did Smart Parenting help you on your parenting journey?”

We’ve chosen the 10 finalists from all over the country. But YOU get to decide who goes home with P100,000 by voting for the story that touched you the most (scroll below to vote!).

Click here to see who got the most votes from Smart Parenting readers!

One of the #MySmartParentingStory finalists is Maryjade Anne Manzanero, a mom of three who says, “Motherhood is a gift, cherish it.”

When asked what she wished someone told her about motherhood, Maryjade replies, “Motherhood is not a competition. We all have to be kind to ourselves. Our kids will learn at their own pace and time. We simply have to be there for them, to support them, and be proud of them.”

Maryjade’s Smart Parenting story is about not settling for less in life.

At 31, I am already a mom of three kids, ages 13, 11, and 2. I have to admit I started early — I was a young mom at 18.

I was so in love then and naïve. When I learned I was pregnant, I began to feel afraid. I was clueless, young, dumb, and broke. I quit school to work and take care of my baby at the same time.

I started working as a washer at a water refilling station. I washed large containers all day. The pay wasn’t enough to sustain my baby’s growing needs, but I was glad enough to earn some for my baby’s diapers and milk.

I have done eight different jobs: washer, cashier, pizza cook, saleslady, babysitter, computer tutor, street sweeper, and article writer.

I went back to school after five long years of being away from it. I took the night classes to take care of my kids in the day, who had then started schooling. When I picked them up from school, I was already wearing my school uniform.

My college years weren’t easy. Pumapasok akong puyat at pagod. My classmates were mostly 10 years younger than me, but it didn’t matter. I have dreams for my kids.

Many times at night, I would look outside the window of our small home and try to imagine what is out there for me. What is God’s plan for me?

Raising my kids wasn’t easy for a young mom like me. Yet through it all, there was Smart Parenting, leading me, guiding me, encouraging me, and giving me all the hopes and dreams. It became my guidebook to the complex yet fulfilling world of parenting.

I am now a public school teacher and a graduate student. My kids have become achievers in school! They are growing grew up responsible and reliable.

I am always thankful for having Smart Parenting throughout my journey. You have contributed a significant part to my life that I would treasure forever. 

Love Maryjade’s story? Click her name below to vote, so she brings home P100,000!

Want to read the other finalists' stories before voting? You can find all 10 entries here! Voting is until May 15.

While you can vote multiple times using this poll, the results you see do not reflect the actual validated numbers. Did you vote 10 times for one candidate? That will only be considered as 1 vote. So we highly encourage you to vote once and ask your friends to cast their votes as well.

The final winner will be based on the number of unique votes at the end of the voting period. Here's where the voting is so far according to unique votes.

As one of our 10 finalists, Maryjade will receive:

• An ible Airvida Wearable Air Purifier worth P8,795
• P2,000 worth of gift certificates
• A chance to win P100,000, tax-free, of course!

Submitted entries are edited only for spelling, punctuation, grammar, and formatting.