"Hindi hadlang ang kalagayan sa buhay, para 'di mo marating ang tagumpay, pagmamahal at tiyaga lang sapat nang puhunan sa inaasam asam mong tagumpay"
-Rolando
You may have heard and read inspiring stories of people rising from the dust to the top. While this is not new, let me share another short but motivational account of a student who does a lot to feed and support his family, and reach his dreams.
Meet my student Rolando, 20 years old, living in Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental. He is a Senior High School TVL student in one of the universities in the city. He is the eldest among the siblings and born of parents with disabilities. His mother, a masseur, is blind and his father, a small time farmer, lacks one arm. However, he did not allow this circumstance to consume his focus especially in his studies.
[1] Photo taken in the school campus with Rolando in his uniform
Rolando is a depiction of an ideal student due to his industry and diligence. At the age of 11, he started his labor (which labor continues today) to help his parents sustain his family’s daily needs.
Presently, he does the schooling and at the same time doing part-time jobs and other “raket” to sustain his studies. But despite his busy state, he is never absent and never gets late to the class. Besides being an exemplary student, he also does fashion modelling in a modelling agency which is raised for a cause – coastal clean-up, tree-planting projects, services to institutions such as home for the aged, etc. This he does, according to him, as an escape and relief from distress.
Moreover, Rolando is a part-time masseur just like his mom. In addition, he does online selling, and tending animals. He also put up a little store as an additional means of earning.
“Mahirap lang po kasi kami. ‘Pag hindi ako gumawa ng paraan, walang mangyayari sa’min, hanggang ganito nalang kami. Maliban sa PWD ang parents ko, ako yung panganay sa limang magkakapatid. Kaya, kelangan ko talagang mag pursige para sa kanila.”
“Yung tatay ko, nakikisaka lang po kung saan kami nakikitira. Pinapaalis na nga po kami eh."
Those were the lines from him displaying how hard their life is. Nevertheless, he believes in his dreams and continues to work hard for his family’s betterment. Though he is still on his way towards the achievement of his ambitions, the success he yearns will he achieve soon. Today, he is officially enrolled in the University. He is determined to pursue his studies to finally grab what he is dreaming of.
[2] A collaged photo of Rolando guiding his blind mother on her way to her job. Based on his story, his mom got blind at the age of 2 due to measles complication
[3] A photo of Rolando during the modelling show
[4] A photo taken during their service to the elderly in the house for the aged
-photo courtesy sent by Rolando