The Story of Rosana Malayo: A Journey of Determination and Inspiration

In the jungle mountains of Romblon, a small island in the Philippines, began the remarkable story of Rosana Malayo. Born into poverty as the eldest of six siblings, she harboured a dream that would not only transform her own life but create a lasting legacy of education and opportunity for generations to come.

From her earliest school days, Rose, as we call her, dreamed of becoming a teacher. However, in her world, this dream faced two seemingly insurmountable obstacles: her family's poverty and the societal norm that girls weren't meant for education. When her parents declared that their limited resources would be earmarked for her younger brother's education instead of hers, Rose made a decision that would define her character - she would forge her own path.

At just ten years old, Rose embarked on her first journey of independence, travelling more than a day by boat and bus to reach Manila. There, she became a household helper for her grandparents, managing household chores, laundry, and shopping while attending fifth and sixth grade. Her grandparents provided her with shelter and education in exchange for her help, allowing her to continue her schooling without burdening her parents financially.

At thirteen, Rose returned to Romblon, where life pulled her back to the harsh realities of farm work. She would do the cleaning, the laundry and the cooking and walk to the marked two hours away to sell vegetables and coconut oil, but it was the gruelling labour under the scorching sun in the rice fields, that led to a pivotal moment. One day, overwhelmed by the brutal conditions, she broke down in tears and made a fierce promise to herself: ‘I will never bring my children into this life!’

Determined to change her fate, a fifteen-year-old Rose returned to Manila to work as a household helper, this time for a family with five children. Her days became a testament to extraordinary perseverance - rising at 5:30 AM to fetch water, prepare breakfast, take three children to school, clean, do laundry, cook dinner, and care for two younger children. She saved her wages diligently during the first year to have enough money for her high school education. So, after one year’s hard work, she could finally start high school.

However, her daily schedule didn’t get easier. After completing her household duties, she attended high school from 5:00 PM to 10:30 PM, often not finishing her day until midnight, only to start the next day again at 05:30 AM.

This punishing schedule continued for four years, with Saturdays devoted to market shopping and Sundays to cooking and ironing. Despite numerous moments when giving up seemed the easier choice, Rose persisted through university, still working as a household helper while studying in evening classes. Her determination paid off when she finally achieved her dream of becoming a teacher.

But Rose's story doesn't end with her own success. When her younger sister expressed the same dream of becoming a teacher, Rose used her savings to fund her sister's education. When her sister tried to repay the loan after graduating, Rose made a remarkable declaration: "Now it's your turn to give back. Do so by funding the education of our next sibling." This created a chain reaction of opportunity, enabling their brother to pursue his dream of becoming an engineer.

Today, Rose's legacy extends far beyond her personal achievements. Her determination to break social barriers and create educational opportunities has transformed the lives of not only her children but also her nieces, nephews, and countless others. Her story inspired the creation of Marvellous Rose, an initiative dedicated to helping children and young people on Romblón access education and build better futures for themselves.

Rosana Malayo’s journey from a young girl in the jungle on Romblón to a catalyst for generational change demonstrates how one person's unwavering determination can create ripples of opportunity that continue to grow and transform lives for generations to come.