Over the past year, I’ve been through a difficult and heartbreaking experience. I came to the Philippines about 11 months ago and, during my time here, I’ve been scammed and hurt by a few women.
One relationship was very short-term, but another became deeply complicated and emotionally exhausting. From the beginning, the mother told me she was pregnant and that the baby’s father had died in a vehicle accident. I decided to help her by putting my name on the baby’s birth certificate, even though the child was not mine.
I met her on December 5th, and the baby was born on January 30th—less than two months after we met. It was undoubtedly not my child, but I wanted to help her through what I believed was a tragic situation. Since December 5th, I have paid for everything for both children, including food, housing, medical care, and other daily needs.
Later, in September 2025 when the baby was 7 months old, I learned the truth. The biological father had not died and was, in fact, still in the picture. During the course of our relationship, the mother returned to him several times and is now pregnant again with another one of his children.
The father refuses to take responsibility for the children, so I stepped in to provide stability. However, I’ve made it clear that she has only one more month with my support. By October 2025, she will need to find a new situation and begin supporting herself and her children independently.
I recently turned to ChatGPT to ask a very real and urgent question:
How can a poor, single mother in Cebu City with two small children, no money, and no family support survive without turning to prostitution?
Here’s the question I asked and the advice I received.
The Question
“If I was a 31-year-old, single mother with a 2-year-old and an 8-month-old baby, and I was poor with literally zero money, living in Cebu City, Philippines, with no family to help me… I do have skills with cooking and cleaning, and at one time I worked overseas as a caretaker/maid for a family in Lebanon. How would I be able to support myself? I do not want to do prostitution. I do need to keep my young children with me. Are there any opportunities for me to work at home perhaps?”
The Answer
ChatGPT provided a step-by-step survival plan. It focuses on safe, home-based, and flexible work, as well as immediate steps to secure food and resources.
1. Immediate Survival
With no money, food and basic necessities are the first priority.
- Barangay Assistance
Visit the local barangay hall. Many barangays have food packs, temporary aid, and programs specifically for single mothers. - DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development)
Apply for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). This is a cash assistance program for poor families with children. - Local Churches and NGOs
Organizations like Caritas Cebu, Gawad Kalinga, and other church groups often help with food, shelter, or even job referrals.
2. Work-from-Home Opportunities
The challenge is earning money while caring for two very young children. Online jobs are the best option to explore.
Virtual Assistant (VA)
- Tasks include data entry, scheduling, and online research.
- Beginner pay: ₱150–₱300 per hour.
- Websites to find work:
English Tutor (ESL)
Filipinos are in high demand for online English teaching jobs. These companies accept applicants without a degree:
- 51Talk – One of the largest ESL companies in the Philippines.
- Engoo – Flexible hours and training provided.
- NativeCamp – No teaching experience required, start quickly.
- Cambly – Pay by the minute, perfect for moms with short free times.
- AmazingTalker – Set your own rates and schedule.
Pay range: ₱80–₱200 per 25-minute session.
Requirements: Quiet corner, internet connection, and a basic headset.
Typing or Data Entry Jobs
- Work on micro-tasks like transcription or document typing.
- Websites: Rev.com, GoTranscript, Clickworker.
3. Use Cooking Skills for Local Income
If online work takes time to build, start small and earn daily cash:
- Sell homemade meals or snacks like lumpia, banana cue, or siomai.
- Begin with a ₱500–₱1,000 investment for ingredients.
- Market through Facebook Marketplace or neighborhood group chats.
- Start by selling to neighbors or tricycle drivers for quick sales.
4. Childcare Solutions
Since the children must stay with their mother, flexible scheduling is key:
- Work at night or early morning when the children are asleep.
- Partner with another single mother to trade babysitting hours for free.
5. Build Skills for Better Jobs
To increase income potential, free online courses are available:
- TESDA Online Program – caregiving, cooking, computer skills.
- Coursera – free beginner-level business and VA courses.
- YouTube tutorials for Excel, data entry, and online selling techniques.
6. Accessing Technology
If a computer isn’t affordable:
- Start with a low-cost smartphone (₱2,500–₱3,000).
- Many jobs, like VA and tutoring, can begin with just a phone.
- Some barangay centers or libraries offer free internet access.
7. Building a Work Profile
Once internet access is stable:
- Create a professional Facebook page to promote food sales or cleaning services.
- For online work, set up accounts on:
Sample profile description:
“I am a hardworking single mother experienced in cooking, cleaning, and caregiving. I am looking for online work or local clients who need help with household tasks, data entry, or food preparation.”
8. Local Service Jobs
If online work takes too long to secure, start locally:
- Offer cleaning services to nearby families or businesses.
- Promote through Facebook buy/sell groups.
- Rate: ₱300–₱500 for a half-day of cleaning.
Priority Steps for This Month
- Barangay and DSWD visit: Seek immediate food and cash assistance.
- Set up an OnlineJobs.ph profile for remote work opportunities.
- Sell cooked meals locally for quick cash.
- Take TESDA free courses to gain skills for higher-paying jobs.
- Build a network of supportive moms for shared childcare and resources.
Why This Matters
The advice provided by ChatGPT offers a realistic survival plan for single mothers in Cebu who are trapped by poverty and lack of support. It’s not easy, but it shows that even with no money, there are steps to take toward independence.
For this mother, October 2025 will be a turning point. With determination and a clear plan, she can build a stable life for herself and her children without having to compromise her values or safety.
The road ahead is difficult, but starting today is the most important step.
