From: Batanga City, Luzon, Philippines
Years working in home care: 33
Joined Pallas Care: September 2023
Marilou grew up surrounded by extended family, living close by her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. “My parents ran a grocery store when I was little, and they had to leave for work at 4:00 in the morning every day, so my grandparents would take care of me,” she says. That’s where her love for older people started.
Marilou’s older brother went to work to support her while she pursued an undergraduate degree in nursing in Manila. Her parents came with her and they opened a restaurant in the big city. “My father was a very good chef, he taught me how to cook. I grew up cooking traditional Filipino food, but since I moved to the USA, I learn lots of different cuisnes: Italian, Chinese, and American!”
After Marilou graduated with her BSN, she moved back to her hometown to work as a nurse. “I worked with all ages of patients, from newborns to 100.” After a few years, her father’s parents asked her to come stay with them in Maryland. Because her nursing license didn’t transfer to the United States at the time, Marilou started working as a caregiver for seniors and sending back most of her earnings to the Phillipines to support her five younger siblings in pursuing their college educations. She enjoyed the flexibility of the job and the opportunity to work with older adults one-on-one. “I am a very empathetic professional; I’m motivated by helping others and providing quality care. Because of my love for my grandparents, I want to contribute to a better quality of life for the elderly.”
Marilou also met her husband during this time, who was living in Washington DC. They married and had their first son in 1994. After her father passed away in 1995, Marilou’s mother joined her daughter in the United States. However, the Phillipines native often complained that the DC area was too cold, so the family relocated to Los Angeles in 2002 to join relatives who already lived there.
Why did Marilou choose to join Pallas Care? “I love working for Pallas Care because I love my boss! The first time I talked with Rich (Harvey, Executive Director), I fell in love with him. Then I met Jennifer (Dawson, CEO) and I fell in love with her too! So many other companies ask me to work with them, go back to work for them, I turn them all down. Pallas Care is the best agency!”
“I am a United States citizen. I want to be a W2 employee, pay my taxes, pay into Social Security. I like working for an agency because they keep it simple for me. I don’t have to worry about taxes and I don’t have to worry about my retirement.”
What does Marilou want for her own retirement? “I am a very simple woman. I want to spend time with my grandchildren. I want to grow old with my husband. I don’t dream of having a big home or luxury car. My older son has a good life already. I want to see my younger son settled, have a good wife, more grandchildren. Then I will be happy!”
Family is obviously very important to Marilou, and she’s passed those values down to her children. In fact, her older granddaughter is named in Marilou’s honor, and the younger is named in memory of Marilou’s mother, Carmelita.
Pallas Care loves working with Marilou because she treats her clients like they are her family, too. Whether it’s cooking a big comforting bowl of chicken adobo or her legendary foot rubs, Marilou always goes the extra mile to ensure that her clients are safe, comfortable, and happy.
Marilou is available to work with clients for 8+ hour-long shifts within a reasonable commuting distance of Mid-City, Los Angeles.
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