Content creator Lulu Balgos, more popularly known as Mama Lulu, marked her 69th birthday with an interview on social media.
In an Instagram Reel posted on her son Oliver's page, Mama Lulu shared what she was most grateful for at 69.
"I am very thankful that I live a very wonderful life with my husband, with my five children, and with my two grandchildren," she said. "Living my life now is a bonus, a blessing."
When Oliver asked about her greatest accomplishment reaching 69, Mama Lulu quipped: "I outlived my husband. He is skinnier (laughs). But he would laugh at that joke because he loves laughing."
Asked about the best qualities as someone who has a zodiac sign of Leo, Mama Lulu highlighted their loyalty.
"We are very loyal... I never remarried after your father," she highlighted.
In the comments section of the interview video, Oliver revealed Mama Lulu's biggest birthday wish this year.
"Mama's biggest wish is to reach 1 million followers on our YouTube by end of the year. Please subscribe to our otakoyakisoba YouTube account if you haven't. We're about 30,000 followers away! So close! ❤️" he posted.
Back in July, Mama Lulu reflected on the hardships and sacrifices she endured before becoming one of social media’s most beloved personalities.
Through a Facebook post published on Oliver’s page, she looked back on her time as a nursing assistant and the financial responsibilities she carried while supporting her family.
“#throwback photo from when I was still working as a nursing assistant. I do miss those days sometimes. I had to think about money for my husband’s dialysis and my children, but it was rewarding,” Mama Lulu wrote.
She also recounted the uncertainty of starting over after moving from the Philippines to the United States, where she accepted jobs outside her comfort zone while adjusting to a new life.
“After moving from the Philippines to the US, I worked retail part-time. A co-worker who became my best friend referred me to work at the Department of Labor in San Francisco. I pretended I knew how to type. Fake it until you make it. Unfortunately, 9/11 happened. I got laid off,” she added.
Content creator Mama Lulu's kids surprise her with a trip to the Philippines
Following the setback, Mama Lulu pursued the career she had long dreamed of and worked toward becoming a certified nursing assistant.
“So I thought, why not become what I always wanted to do? I had to study and get my certification to become a nursing assistant. I relied on my unemployment checks for my tuition fee. Just imagine 30-plus years of being a housewife and catering food. It was a tough change. I was a single mom in a foreign country,” she continued.
While she once considered becoming a registered nurse, Mama Lulu eventually decided to work as a caregiver, primarily assisting hospice patients.
“Instead of moving up as a registered nurse, I chose to become a caregiver instead, mostly for hospice patients. Eventually, my husband passed. My body also gave out physically, so I had to stop,” she said.
Despite everything she endured, Mama Lulu concluded her post by expressing gratitude for the experiences that shaped her.
“Regardless of the challenges, I wouldn’t change the experience for anything," she remarked.