Through Hands, To Love: The Remarkable Journey of a Veteran Mother as Doormat Artisan

How hard is it for a mother with a disability to raise her children on her own by making doormats? Will she further strive in life for the sake of her children?

This is the story of Marisa Padilla Caylao, a 57-year-old doormat maker from Payatas, Quezon City.

In 2007, her world turned upside down when her husband died, leaving her to care and support their seven children. Four of her children now have their own families, and some opted to work, rather than completing their education due to the family's financial instability.

This not only struggles her but also leaves her with additional challenges due to partner’s incapability in supporting their family’s needs. It’s not like before when her hardworking and kind husband was her partner in sustaining their family.

Eventually, she took on a job as a maid and laundress, as the income from making doormats was insufficient. Unfortunately, an incident years ago compelled Marisa to persist in making doormats.

“It’s hard to make a living on your own and you have seven children. Ever since my husband died, it’s been really hard but I’ve been able to cope.”

Unfortunately, an incident happened seven years ago that evoked Marisa to continue making doormats.

“It's been seven years since I had an accident. I fell off the chair and hit my knee on the cement and broke the bone. I was also confined to the hospital for almost a year. Until now, I walk lamely. My knees also hurt when it's cold and I walk a long distance.” she said.

She refused surgery due to a lack of funds. Yet, she remained grateful that she could still walk and continue crafting doormats.

Since 1994, Marisa’s family has been crafting doormats, becoming the most popular occupation in Barangay Payatas. It became their primary source of income as her husband couldn’t seek a job due to his asthma.

From her children to her eleven grandchildren, they help Marisa to make and sell doormats. Way back, Marisa sold them door-to-door, but currently, she mostly supplies the local rug stores, with some customers choosing to directly buy from her.

“When my children were young, they all made doormats, even my grandchildren know how to do that. That is why I say that you need to learn to earn a living while you’re still young,” she proudly said.

Her handmade doormats use excess fabric from tailors or garment makers, designed in single or combined colors, and securing them to a wooden frame (with nails). In order for it to become a doormat, it undergoes “sinusulot” and then “sinusungkit” with a hook, called a panungkit.

Pricing varies based on size and color. Small single-color doormats range from ₱16 to ₱20, while combined colors are sold from ₱20 to ₱25. She produces 50 small sizes of doormats weekly, having over ₱750 in sales. Considering fabric costs ₱20 to ₱25 per kilo and ₱600 per bundle, her earnings fall short.

Making doormats is more than just a craft to her; it’s her lifeline as a single mother. Her toughest moments arise when her kids fall ill, and financial struggles heighten, especially when there’s no one to call for help.

It also crosses her mind how long she will continue making doormats. Despite the long hours of making a doormat, the effort and hardship she puts through is a way of supporting her family, as her children give her the courage to continue.

“When I'm having a hard time, I want to give up. It makes me think sometimes, especially when we don't have anything, and I simply cry,” she tearfully said.

Marisa is beyond grateful that her family accompanies her, wishing them stability in their careers.

Indeed, Marisa proves that mothers can be fathers as well. In all the hardships and trials she went through, no matter how difficult things are thrown at her, she chooses to be good.