Maria Reuby - or Bhim to her friends - is a solo mother and lives with her family in Sugod. She is the proud mother of Clyde Janiel.
She shares the family house together with her mother, father, son, brother, sister and nephew. Another of her brother's is studying to be a seaman.
Bhim owns and runs a small sari-sari store. She sells about 500 pesos (~ $US $9.60) worth of product each week for a profit of about 200 pesos (~ $US 3.84).
Bhim studied political science at Romblon State College - about a two hour drive from her present location. She completed the course in four years. The tuition was a relatively cheap at 500 pesos (~ $US $9.60) a semester. Courses at more prestigious universities like the University of Manila in the Philippines can be up to 40,000 pesos (~ $US 769).
Typhoon Frank - that wrought so much damage on the island of Tablas - did little or no damage to Bhim's house. She was very scared when the rain and the wind were at their strongest.