Neighbors Neriluz, Genelyn, and Merlia: A Tale of Resilience in the Cemetery
Marielle Descalsota/Insider
Hidden amidst the solemnity of the cemetery lies an inspiring story of determination and survival. Neriluz, Genelyn, and Merlia, residents of this unconventional neighborhood for the past two decades, have defied odds to establish a thriving business selling traditional Filipino street food from their humble stall.
Walking through the clustered makeshift houses fashioned from mausoleums deeper within the graveyard, one can’t help but notice the dilapidated streets. Cracks on the unpaved ground are filled with black water, surrounded by heaps of accumulated trash emitting an unpleasant odor.
It is amidst this challenging environment that Neriluz, Genelyn, and Merlia operate their small food stall. With bright smiles, they serve a variety of Filipino snacks, including lumpia (crunchy rolls filled with meat and wrapped in a flour wrapper), isaw (grilled intestines marinated in soy sauce), and bola-bola (noodles with meatballs and vegetables).
“Life here is hard. Sometimes we have enough food to eat, but other times we struggle. If we don’t make any sales, survival becomes a challenge. We often find ourselves resorting to taking on debt,” says Neriluz, 41, the matriarch of the group.
Each snack is priced at only 10 pesos or 18 cents. However, despite the affordability, Neriluz still needs to borrow 1,200 pesos or $21 to maintain inventory. The business has been tough, and she often makes a modest profit of 200 pesos or $3.50, which is just sufficient to feed her family for the day.
Unfortunately, there are times when opportunities are scarce. Neriluz reveals that her family sometimes can only afford to eat once a day. The struggle is real, but their determination remains unwavering.
“Some families leave this place once their children have gathered enough money. But for us, it’s not possible yet as our children are still young. I remain hopeful and will continue working hard until we can finally leave,” Neriluz shares with conviction.
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