A Former Walking Street Mamasan Shares Her Journey of Survival and Redemption

Life has taken Martez Obana down many unexpected paths.

At 46 years old, she has worked in Angeles City's nightlife industry, managed women as a mamasan, survived prison, battled health problems, and continued raising six children despite overwhelming challenges.

During our interview, she reflected on the difficult choices she made, the hardships she endured, and her hope of returning to her province to begin a quieter life.

"Being a single mother is very hard. I'll do any honest work I can to support my children."

Her story is one of perseverance, loss, and the hope for a second chance.

Raising Six Children on Her Own

Martez is the mother of six children.

Several of her children have already completed college, including one who became a nurse and another who became a midwife, while her youngest child is still very young.

Although she is proud of what her children have accomplished, she explained that she has spent much of her adult life separated from them because of work and difficult circumstances.

Despite those years apart, she hopes to rebuild stronger relationships with them.

Life Inside Walking Street

Years ago, Martez worked in Angeles City's entertainment district and eventually became a mamasan, supervising women working in bars.

She described the role as demanding and stressful, requiring her to manage workers while dealing with the unpredictable nature of the nightlife business.

Today, she rarely returns to Walking Street and only does so when financial necessity leaves her with few other options.

Starting Over After Prison

One of the most emotional parts of the interview centered on her time in prison.

Martez openly discussed serving two years in jail after becoming involved in a legal case that she says changed the course of her life.

Rather than focusing on the details of the case, she spoke about the emotional impact of returning home and finding that her children had been cared for by other relatives during her incarceration.

That experience remains one of the most painful chapters of her life.

Living With Health Challenges

Martez also described ongoing health problems that make physical work increasingly difficult.

Despite those challenges, she continues accepting whatever work she can find, including washing clothes for neighbors and collecting recyclable materials to support herself and her youngest child.

She hopes to eventually leave these jobs behind and find a more stable way to earn a living.

Looking Forward to a New Beginning

One goal remained constant throughout the interview.

Martez wants to return to her home province.

She hopes to spend more time with her children, reconnect with family members, and start a small business that will allow her to leave nightlife work permanently.

After decades of hardship, her greatest wish is a peaceful and stable life surrounded by her family.

A Story of Resilience

Martez's journey reflects how complicated life can become when poverty, illness, and family responsibilities intersect.

Despite setbacks, she continues working, supporting her youngest child, and planning for a future that looks very different from her past.

Her determination to rebuild her life serves as a reminder that redemption is often a long process built one day at a time.

FAQ

How many children does Martez have?

She is the mother of six children, several of whom have completed college and begun professional careers.

What is a mamasan?

A mamasan is a supervisor or manager who oversees hostesses or entertainers in a bar or nightclub, helping coordinate operations and staff.

What does she hope for the future?

She hopes to return to her home province, reconnect with her family, and start a small business so she can leave nightlife work behind.