Marili Amper

There are moments in life when our priorities become crystal clear.

For me, that moment came when my mother needed me.

Like many working professionals, I have always taken pride in being committed to my work. But when someone you love is going through a difficult time, you realize that no meeting, deadline, or project is more important than simply being present.

As I cared for my mother, I experienced firsthand the emotional and physical demands that come with being a caregiver. It was a role I embraced wholeheartedly, but one that also reminded me how challenging it can be to balance work and family responsibilities.

I was fortunate to work for an organization that understood this reality.

At Sodexo, we believe that improving quality of life begins with our people. One way we bring this commitment to life is through our Care Leave benefit. In the Philippines, where this type of leave remains relatively uncommon, employees are granted five additional days of leave, separate from their vacation and sick leave, to care for immediate family members during critical situations.

Before my own experience, I appreciated Care Leave as an employee benefit. After becoming a caregiver, I understood that it was something far more meaningful. It was a reminder that behind every employee is a family, and sometimes, the greatest support an employer can provide is the time and space to be there for the people who need us most.

For me, this benefit became deeply personal.

I work in Manila, while my mother lives in Southern Leyte. In October 2024, our family received difficult news: my mother had slipped and fractured her hip. At 82 years old, surgery carried significant risks.

Beyond the medical concerns, there was another emotional reality we had to face. My mother had always been fiercely independent. She was active, energetic, and accustomed to managing life on her own terms. Watching someone so full of vitality suddenly struggle with limited mobility was heartbreaking, not only for our family, but especially for her.

Initially, she resisted the idea of surgery. She hoped that time and conservative treatment might allow her injury to heal naturally. However, after several consultations, her doctors explained that surgery offered the best chance for her to regain mobility and preserve her quality of life.

Convincing her was not easy.

As her daughter, I understood her fears. Undergoing major surgery at 82 required immense courage. With the encouragement of our family and the guidance of her medical team, she eventually agreed.

Although my mother had built her life in Southern Leyte after marrying my father, Surigao City remained close to her heart, it was her hometown. Many of our relatives still lived there, as did my sister and her family. Given the support system available, it was decided that she would undergo surgery in Surigao City, approximately a four-hour boat ride from our hometown, Liloan.