At just 15, Edelyn Galos left her hometown in Oriental Mindoro to work as a kasambahay in Marikina City, all to support her family. Now, she’s living her dream as a senior employee at the Department of Labor and Employment in the PAMARISAN (Pasig, Pateros, Mandaluyong, Marikina, San Juan) field office.
But her journey towards her goal wasn’t all rainbows and butterflies. In an interview with DOLE-NCR, Edelyn shared her pride in her unique career path.
“Proud ako sa pinanggalingan ko, ‘yan ang dahilan kung bakit matibay ako at patuloy na nangangarap… hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala sa sitwasyon ng buhay ko ngayon, malayo na sa noon,” she shared.
And Edelyn is also grateful that she credits her experience as a kasambahay for her current success. “Masipag ako sa trabaho. Nag-umpisa ako as kasambahay so hindi pwedeng walang ginagawa, hinahanap ng katawan ko ‘yung trabaho,” she explained.
She first worked for her aunt’s former employers, both in their 70s. Her hard work and good relationship with them paid off as they treated her like family. Even during the toughest times—like when Typhoon Ondoy struck and when one of the employers had to go through chemotherapy, Edelyn stood by their side. While other helpers went home, she stayed, becoming their rock.
Her employers also supported her dreams, allowing her to pursue her studies at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina, where she graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication.
Post-graduation, they continued to be her biggest cheerleaders, supporting her through various jobs—from a seller of ready-to-wear apparel in Baclaran, a treasury custodian to an HR staff at a manpower agency—and even allowing her to stay with them.
In 2016, Edelyn joined DOLE-NCR as Labor Employment Officer III at the PAMARISAN Field Office. And just last year, she was promoted to a senior position.
“Though ‘yung daan na binigay sa akin ay medyo matinik at lubak-lubak, hindi Niya [God] ako iniwanan. ‘Yun ang nagpatibay sa akin,” Edelyn said, reflecting on her journey.
