MANILA, Philippines - Margarita P. Tubang has taken on odd jobs to send her 11 children to school. Six of them have already earned college degrees and are now helping with the family income.
She could've easily opted to stay at home to look after her four grandchildren, but Margarita, this year's Wilkins Super Mom, still chooses to work the field to help her family further.
"My mother is very hard-working. When we were children, she would go house to house to buy bottles and newspapers. When she was pregnant with our tenth sibling, she would go up the mountains to look after our piggery," said daughter Jocelyn T. Dulay.
She was the one who nominated Margarita for the "search for outstanding mothers who are greatly admired for their strength, uncompromising values and inherent commitment to motherhood."
Margarita was among the 14 finalists of the search, which ran for four months in various SM Malls.
The finalists were determined based on the essay submitted by the ones who nominated them, with focus on the form (30 percent), content (50 percent) and overall impression (20 percent) drawn from the material.
Jocelyn said that they learned about her mother's win in SM Baguio two days before her birthday.
"It was a great birthday gift for her. I remember that she was even sick during that time," Jocelyn said.
"I wouldn't have done all these things without the Lord's help," Margarita, who is a devout Church-goer, said in Tagalog.
A league of extraordinary women
"While each of the finalist’s story is compelling, we can only choose one," said Barry Del Rosario, group brand manager of the Coca-Cola Company.
Out of thousands of entries, 14 finalists were chosen in the search. Aside from Margarita, the other finalists were: AnniMae Oribello Tan (SM Dasmarinas), Jennifer S.Ramirez (SM Manila), Elvi C. Lomuntad (SM Southmall), Alma A. Platon (SM Lipa), Emelda DG Cruz (SM Marikina), Consolacion T. Castro (SM San Lazaro), Irene Taniega (SM Naga), Lalaine G. Soliman (SM Bacoor), Socorro Lim Ibanez (SM Bacolod), Evelyn H. Lapie (SM Clark), Emilia D. Arceta (SM Cebu), Rosalie Gregore Bondoc (SM Fairview) and Maritess Montemayor Remojo (SM Novaliches).
All 14 finalists received P10,000 each in cash and a certificate of recognition. During the awarding ceremony held at Conti's Greenbelt, Del Rosario announced an additional P5,000 worth of products as prizes for all the finalists. Those who nominated them, meanwhile, received P2,000 in cash each.
For being the Super Mom of the year, Margarita went home with P50,000. Jocelyn, who nominated her, won P5,000.
Asked what she would do with the money, the super mom responded, "I will use it to help send my other children to college."