In a modest home tucked within the community of Camp 7 in Baguio City, 66-year-old Arsenia Cados begins her mornings slowly.

Known to neighbors as Nanay Arsenia, she moves with care—each step measured, each task done with intention.

Life for her was not always this slow. There was a time when Nanay Arsenia hardly paused in her walks.

Widowed at a young age, she was left to raise her only son, who was just eight years old then. With no one else to depend on, she took on every responsibility—working long hours, skipping rest, and putting her child’s needs before her own without hesitation.

For her, love meant sacrifice, no matter the cost.

“Malakas pa sana ako kung hindi ako na-stroke,” Nanay Arsenia shared to DSWD, recalling how a damaged vein in her brain left her struggling with her weakened body.

The stroke changed everything

Tasks that were once routine became difficult. The energy she once had seemed to slip away, replaced by physical limitations that she now has to live with every day. Looking back, she carries not just memories, but also regrets.

“Kailangan kasi [mag todo hanapbuhay] pero sa dulo nagsisi rin ako dahil nagkasakit ako,” Nanay Arsenia said tearfully.

Nanay Arsenia’s son is now 24 years old and works in construction. He does what he can to support them, but like many in the sector, his income is not that stable.

Despite her condition, Nanay Arsenia still tries to help in her own small way—selling goods when her strength allows, stretching what little they have to make ends meet.

AICS to the rescue

In the midst of these daily struggles, a timely intervention brought the much-needed relief.

Through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Field Office (FO) Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Nanay Arsenia received PhP5,000.00 in cash assistance.

For many, it may seem modest, but for the frail Nanay Arsenia, it meant medicine, food on the table, and a sense of security as she continues her recovery.

The AICS program is one of the government’s key social protection services that provides immediate assistance to individuals and families facing crisis situations. It is designed specifically to help Filipinos from all walks of life—not only the poor—who suddenly find themselves in need due to medical, financial, or other emergencies.

Through programs like AICS, the DSWD continues to reach out and extend support, especially to the most vulnerable sectors, ensuring that no one is left behind in times of hardship.

For Nanay Arsenia, the assistance came at a crucial time. Her maintenance medicines are essential to her recovery, and daily expenses continue to weigh heavily on their limited income.

“Salamat po sa AICS dahil sa natanggap kong assistance. Makakatulong po ito sa pagbili ng aking mga gamot, at pagkain din namin ng aking anak,” a now beaming Nanay Arsenia expressed her gratitude.

More than the financial aid, the assistance gave Nanay Arsenia something deeper—a sense of reassurance that she is not alone in her journey. It reminded her that even in the quiet corners of Baguio City, there are helping hands ready to reach out.

These days, Nanay Arsenia carries a different understanding of strength. No longer defined by how much she can endure physically, her strength now lies in what she has learned through hardship and healing.

“Ingat lang talaga sa pagkain, huwag masyadong marami,” Nanay Arsenia advised.

Her message comes from years of experience—of pushing beyond limits and eventually learning the importance of self-care.

“Magsipag tayo para sa ating mga anak para mabuhay. Kailangan kumilos, magtrabaho. Pero huwag naman masyadong masipag—huwag sobrang trabaho, hindi pwedeng kulang sa tulog. Alagaan natin ang ating mga katawan,” Nanay Arsenia said.

Her words echo the reality of many breadwinners who sacrifice their well-being for their families. Through her story, she hopes others will learn to strike a balance between hard work and caring for their health.

Nanay Arsenia’s journey is not just one of survival, but of recovery and rediscovery. Where she once believed that strength meant working without rest, she now understands that true strength also means knowing when to slow down, when to care for oneself, and when to accept help from others.

Nanay Arsenia’s story stands as a reminder that recovery is not only about healing the body, but also about restoring hope, dignity, and the will to keep going.

Through compassionate programs and timely assistance, the DSWD remains steadfast in its mission of helping the most vulnerable, proving that even in life’s most difficult moments, no Filipino has to face their struggles alone. (KB )