A full life

Nanay Chedeng spends most days sitting in and looking after their convenience store where people frequent for snacks and other commodities. Her children would look after the store while she took a nap in the afternoon. Some people may feel uncomfortable opening up about their lives, not her - she has been smiling and accommodating while trying to dig into the details from her past that she would like to share.

Life in the Earlier Years

Mercedes was born into this world on the 8th of October 1944. Customarily, she was called Chedeng which was much easily pronounceable like the names in the neighborhood such as Lureng, Mareng, Neneng. She was later known as Nanay Chedeng since her family especially her grandchildren calls her that way.

Nanay Chedeng's family of origin lived in Bucana, Naic, Cavite, a coastal barangay. She recounted that she was only seven years old when her father died. Her mother remarried in the following years and her stepfather treated her like his own. She had five other younger siblings which made their family merrier. In order to support her schooling, she used to sell food for merienda and the money that she earned from it served as her school allowance. Her stepfather used to fish while her mother sold the caught fish as a way of living, and that was how their family survived.

She described that their home was small - they slept elbow-to-elbow on a woven mat spread on the floor with a thick blanket . She loves her siblings and has no ill feeling towards them. They built a bond strong until now.

 Nanay Chedeng when was still young

The school during their days was an unfinished structure. She recalled that it was a simple room with facilities that might seem inconducive for learning. She finished elementary school but was unable to continue through high school. Her five other siblings were able to pursue through college and earned degrees in Education in exception of one, who pursued a career in the air force.

While she was out of school, she helped her family by selling food - that was how she met the love of her life. When Sendong first met her, he started courting her right away. She described that courtship was sweeter in their time, because the man had to constantly visit the woman he was pursuing in their family home. The man would serenade and offer to do household chores for the family. She loved the gifts from her suitors which could be food, home decoration or materials for dress. Sendong used to live in Munting Mapino, which was a few barangays away and had to cross the river to visit her using a banca - one hand rowing the boat and the other holding his shoes up. The courtship lasted for a long time which Nanay Chedeng could not remember exactly how long. And at the age of sixteen, she finally accepted Sendong who had been patiently waiting for her 'yes'.

You reap what you sow

After four years of intimate relationship, Nanay Chedeng and Tatay Sendong finally decided to settle down at the age of 20 and 26 respectively. The early years of their marriage had not been easy. Having decided to start their family in the same coastal barangay, Tatay Sendong fished, which most in the area did at the time. And just like what the parents of Nanay Chedeng did, she sold the fish and supported the daily expenses of the family through that. They did not have extra source of income but they survived.

They were blessed with five lovely children: Grace, Arman, Tess, Marife, and Francis. They raised their children with right discipline and taught them that in order to prosper in life, one must work harder.

Nanay Chedeng narrated that in 1981, their family life became better, financially speaking. Her husband accepted a job in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and eventually made provision of their needs easier. They were able to provide their five children with good education. While her husband worked hard abroad, she put up the convenience store that stands until now.

Her husband stayed in Saudi Arabia with a salary of USD 300 with a currency rate of PHP 7 per dollar at that time. They both recounted that it was good enough to sustain the family’s expenses. Twelve years later, he retired as an overseas worker and lived together with his family once again.

Tatay Sendong and Nanay Chedeng accepting the Parents of the Year award

Parents of the Year

Raising five children and sending them all to college were such an achievement for parents. In 1998, a public school in the barangay recognized the couple as Parents of the Year for nourishing their children and enabling them to succeed in life.

With loving support and efforts of Nanay Chedeng and Tatay Sendong, their children were given the privilege to study at well-known schools. Grace, the eldest, pursued college in Adamson University with a degree in Commerce. She later majored in Business Administration and studied Law for seven years. She now lives in Manila with her husband and two children.

Arman, the second to the oldest, pursued Civil Engineering in Far Eastern University and worked  in Qatar. He has two children and his family frequently visits and lives with Nanay Chedeng and Tatay Sendong.

The middle child, Tess studied Computer Secretarial in Western Colleges. She has one child and her family also used to live with them. She used to sell in the university in town and earns enough for her family.

The fourth one, Marife, finished college in Philippine Christian University with a degree in Commerce. She works as an Assessor in the municipality. She has two daughters and lives separately.

The youngest, Francis, studied in University of the East and works as a Seaman. He has two children and his family lives separately, too.

Having sent their children to college thus allowing them to have better lives gave the couple a sense of satisfaction and contentment.

They keep coming back

Even though their children have their own family and home, they keep coming back to Nanay Chedeng and Tatay Sendong. They come back for security, comfort, or sometimes for financial help. Being nurturing as she is, Nanay Chedeng welcomes them with open arms.

She has a lot of grandchildren who grew up in their home. Her grandchildren seemed to love her and her husband very much and seek the comfort and warmth they grew up with so they always visit them. Nanay Chedeng maintained close relationships not only with her siblings but with her children's families as well.

 A big happy family

Growing old together

Nanay Chedeng has been married to her husband since 1964. While Tatay Sendong had previous relationships before he pursued Nanay Chedeng, she confided that she never had other men in her life. She confessed that many had courted her but it was Tatay Sendong who succeeded and earned her love.

 

It is refreshing to see that the sweetness that they shared when they were just on the early stage of their relationship did not seem to change when you see them together now. They seemed to be happy together every day that it was quite hard to imagine them arguing. Only them know how they have lasted this long.

Life Lessons

One thing that could be learned from Nanay Chedeng is to keep smiling through life, even when the going gets tough. She is always smiling therefore making conversations with her easier and more interesting; not all people in her age do that.

Another thing is that hard work pays off. Their life improved because they did what they could to achieve their dreams for their family and children. They might have simple dreams but it didn't mean they didn't have to work hard to get them. They might have faced be a plenty of struggles and sacrifices along the way, but they are worth it in the end.

Lastly, another thing that could be realized through the conversations with her is to cherish the moments spent with everyone, especially with people who matter to you. Get in touch with your family - relate with them and let them know how you feel. Spend more time with them, keep your relationships close and healthy. Life is uncertain, remember to make the best of everything. 

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This biography was originally written in July 2008, as a requirement in Adolescence and Adulthood course. It has been edited as I thought of sharing what I have written about and learned from Nanay Chedeng's life.

She recently passed on after battling bravely with cancer for a few years. Her family has been with her all throughout the fight; they are mourning but there is a relief that her pain and sickness have come to an end. May she be at peace as her family find the strength to carry on.