INdulge!
VOL.5 ISSUE 85 • JULY 1 - 2, 2012
EDGEDAVAO
FEATURE
The yaya: An icon of the Filipino household
By Edward C. Lactaoen
It is not uncommon for members of middle-class Filipino families to wake up to breakfast on the table, a clean house and fresh laundry hung out to dry in the morning sun. More often than not, all these are accomplished courtesy of what has come t be somewhat a staple in the average Filipino home: the yaya. These all around helping hands have come to constantly provide care for the ever-changing Filipino household that continues to get busier with the passing of time. Yayas are no stranger to the Filipino culture. The portrayal of them in the media range from comedic tones such as Michael V.’s performance in the Yaya and Angelina skits to more serious ones including yayas as an integral part of the families they work for. Emily Rose Ng (not her real name) grew up with yayas around the house and cited her experiences with them as part of their household, particularly, her experiences with “Marcing.” “Di ko alam kung gaano na talaga siya katagal sa amin pero
more than three years na ata kasi nagwork naman siya sa amin nung nasa Magallanes pa kami nakatira. Anyway, sa tagal na niya, siya na ginautusan lately kung saan magpunta around Davao. Siya pa gani nag-enroll sa amin tatlong magkapatid sa college. So without her, hind siguro nakagraduate mga kuya ko and hindi siguro ako nakatapak ng fourth year. Siya pa gani nagabuy ng mga books namin. Kilala na rin siya mostly ng classmates naming magkakapatid kay present talaga siya every enrollment.” Others also shared their happy experiences with their yayas. “Yung first yaya ko noon very caring. Siya yung tumayong mother ko noon kasi busy siya sa work niya. Isa siya sa mga unang teacher ko (she was smart by the way) tsaka pinakamabait ko siya na yaya. But she had to leave kasi parang pinauwi na siya ng mother niya sa province nila, kaya ayun. Naghanap ng bagong yaya ang mother ko pero wala gyu’y makapantay sa kabuutan ug kacaring sa akong first yaya. Si yaya Grace.” But not all experiences with yayas are good. When Andrea (not her real name) shared the story about their family’s most recent yaya she said, “Nagclaim (siya) na girape daw siya at
our house tapos nalaman namin after a few weeks nagnakaw pala siya.” Ng also shared the story of one of their yayas who due to certain circumstances, had to leave them. “Si “Diday” kasi, matagal na rin siya sa amin. Trained well ni mama. Magaling na magluto, swito na sa Davao. Pinaschool pa ni mama ng HRM sa UM. Then sadly, nainlove man yan siya. Then dun na siya nagchange. Di na masyado focused sa work then di na masyado ma utusan. Yung nahuli siya ni mama na nag uyab-uyab, nagdrama siya na nahirapan na daw siya kaya yun. Pinaalis na lang ni mama kay gahi’g ulo na daw. Sayang yun siya ba. Siya gud pinakabright sa kanila.” Despite all the varying experiences with yayas, Ng has learned a lot from having them around. “With those experiences with them, I guess they’re the primary reason why it’s a lot easier at home. First, you have somebody to clean your room, wash and iron your clothes, prepare your food, do your chores, etc. and sometimes, you also have a friend to talk to. Since we interact with them every day, we develop this kind of bond. Though andiyan parin yung gap na amo kami and helper sila, we still treat them as a family. But
it doesn’t work that easy. It takes time, usually years before we can really trust them. And so far, they’re doing great. We also treasure them for staying with us through the good and bad. I can honestly see their loyalty though they have the freedom to leave anytime they want. So to sum everything up, I’m thankful for having them here. It’s a mutual relationship din kasi. We help them, and they help us. It’s a two way process. Since they work hard and are very good to us, we reward them with bonuses and we also are good to them,” Ng said of having yayas. “Honestly, mahirap din kasi maghanap ng helpers na magstay sa inyo ng matagal. Yung iba kasi, maarte, tamad, kawatan din. Lucky lang kami na mababait sila and matrust namin. So far ha, wala naman nagging problema dito. So I guess we’re blessed to have them, same way they’re blessed to have us.” She added. Ng’s experiences have proven that living with yayas may have their ups and downs, but their dedication to the families they serve is undeniable. From the encounters with them in their portrayal in the media to personal experiences shared with them, they yaya has truly become a cultural icon for the Filipino household. Yaya Em has been with our family a lot longer than than I have. She started when my older brother was born and our whole family, relatives and even friends have grown to love her since. She began taking care of us and then watched us everyday until we were old enough to do stuff on our own. She spoiled us with her baked chocolate cakes and macaroons. This is why my brother and I have such a sweet tooth! She’s not just good with fixing our meals but with others tasks too. You name it, she does it! She goes out with us, comments on our outfit, makes friends with our friends, even prays for us and listens to our joys and heartaches. She knows our good and not so good side but doesn’t judge us for it either way. We will never be able to repay her for all she has done for us but we can only hope that she knows how much she is appreciated and loved. We love her dearly and thank God for her every day. –Diane Tan
My yaya is not a maid! Many of us grew up with our yayas. And having a yaya is not even a status symbol; it’s just how things are here in the Philippines.
For the past 23 years of my life, I always had my yaya or Ate Inday by my side. Every morning when I wake up she would ask me what I’d like for breakfast, or if I’d go home late, she’ll wait up for me and be the one to make sure that my dinner is hot. But she’s more than that, so much more. All throughout my school life, she was there for me, making sure that I actually did my homework, my shoes are shiny, my hair in place, and being the asthmatic me, my inhaler is always within my reach. When I started my professional career, she was always there ready to give me a helping hand with whatever I needed. And it doesn’t stop there. More than all the things that she does for me she is one of the few persons who know me best, one of those who understand me. My yaya is not a maid. She is more of a confidant, a friend. She knows when I am sad, frustrated, angry, and just out of this world, and she listened through it all. She also knows when I am happy, in love, and ecstatic
about something. She knows all my friends, and would give her unsolicited advice when there are personalities in my life that she doesn’t approve of. She even loved my dogs and helps me in taking care of them. There is a certain way that I like my corned beef cooked, or how I want certain dishes and she is the only one who can cook it that way. I remember when I was younger she’d save up her one month salary just to buy me the present I want most during my birthday and Christmas. She’d even buy me chocolates for the simple triumphs that I experienced in my life. We usually celebrate Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Teacher’s Day, and many more tributes to the heroes in our lives, but why don’t we celebrate a Yaya’s Day in a country where most kids grow up with a yaya – who dedicate their whole lives to looking after these children? Make it happen today. Say thank you to your yaya or to the yaya of your children. They are not just maids that do household chores day in and day out. For being a yaya is so much more than being a maid as it involves love, care, and dedication. To Ate Inday, thank you. –Carlo P. Mallo