Former houseworker counts her blessings

In the three years that she has worked for Sierra’s Pearl Shake, food attendant Cora Quiachon has learned by heart the faces of customers who frequent her kiosk at the ground floor of Joeten Dandan building.

“Good morning, ate,” says a local male patron as he approached the store and greeted Quiachon on Tuesday. “What do you have for today?”

Quiachon replies, “I reserved two bags of granny’s cookies for you. I hid them from others because I know you like them. Papalatong, no?”

The two shared a hearty chuckle. According to Quiachon, the man works for a tour company and buys snacks whenever he’s in the area.

Quiachon, 48, said that life as a food attendant is far more relaxed and simpler than working as a live-in houseworker and caregiver.

“For one, I have free time after work so I can go wherever I want,” she said. “But I do miss my old work from time to time because I have been lucky with my employers, both past and present.”

A native of Cebu City, Quiachon said her first experience as a houseworker began in the Philippines when she worked for a female Chinese employer while attending school.

Pressed by her desire to help provide for her family, Quiachon dropped out of her secretarial course at the University of San Jose and work full time for her boss. Besides helping out in the household, she was also entrusted with money collection duties for her employer’s wholesaling business.

It was in 1991 when Quiachon moved to Saipan. The third of seven children, Quiachon disclosed how she asked her religious mother to pray for her and help her get a job to better their lives. Her cousin, who was already on island, found her a job as a caregiver.

“Thank God I’ve only served as caregiver for three local employers in the 20 years I’ve been on Saipan,” she told Saipan Tribune. “All of them were related and I’m lucky that they have all been very kind to me.”

Quiachon said Filipinos in general are very caring when it comes to senior citizens, “which is why being a caregiver came naturally to me.”

Patience and understanding top her list of the qualities needed to become a good caregiver. “We should try to identify with the elderly and try to understand their situation because they’re already old,” she added.

Among her previous employers, Quiachon said, was the family of the late Estefania Sablan San Nicolas, whom she took care of until she passed away. She continues to visit her former charge’s grave on her birthday and All Soul’s Day.

“It’s my way of letting them know how much I appreciate them,” Quiachon said. “The family has been very kind to me, even to the point of paying for my vacation in 2008 and giving me a netbook as a gift in 2009.”

Quiachon’s earnings as a caregiver enabled her to support the education of one of her siblings, who is now a teacher. These days, her earnings support the schooling of her nieces and nephews.

“I help them because I know the value of education. I want them to study hard. As long as I have work, I will help them so they can graduate and find better jobs,” she said.

Quiachon admits learning to love her new job. “I get to meet a lot of people. I enjoy that. Also, you have to have a smile on your face to welcome customers. Smile, even though you have problems in life.”

Given the choice, Quiachon would like to stay on Saipan permanently. “I’ve been here for 20 years. I’ve been lucky with my employers, I was able to support my family, I enjoy the island very much.”

Since uncertainties linger, Quiachon said she will start saving up so she’s prepared whatever happens. “I’ll be eternally grateful for all the good things that Saipan has given to me and my family,” she concluded.