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Many of us came from a humble start. No one can deny the fact that life is harder when no one can turn to except your family. I am proud to say, that I came from a poor family. Through this, I strive more to reach my goals in life.

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![images (21).jpeg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/jobeliever/Ep1ZPatMLmFStDtPWjh33tg2Z79dXrvbkaxAojembYm7R9ZM9vsdXeFAnK48A5Ba3qv.jpeg)

<center><a
href="https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com%2Ff%2F11eacf9a-b4f6-444e-afad-80a876937225%2Fddlp61i-4d533fb0-1b02-4269-a745-52f2bde4ecfc.jpg%2Fv1%2Ffill%2Fw_1280%2Ch_975%2Cq_75%2Cstrp%2Fpoor_family_dinner_by_deviantmike423_ddlp61i-fullview.jpg%3Ftoken%3DeyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9OTc1IiwicGF0aCI6IlwvZlwvMTFlYWNmOWEtYjRmNi00NDRlLWFmYWQtODBhODc2OTM3MjI1XC9kZGxwNjFpLTRkNTMzZmIwLTFiMDItNDI2OS1hNzQ1LTUyZjJiZGU0ZWNmYy5qcGciLCJ3aWR0aCI6Ijw9MTI4MCJ9XV0sImF1ZCI6WyJ1cm46c2VydmljZTppbWFnZS5vcGVyYXRpb25zIl19.btqHAYd-BSL97jYjc4n-MfJ2oF4aXyhKhbEsSEzdAmU&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.deviantart.com%2Fdeviantmike423%2Fart%2FPoor-Family-Dinner-822506454&tbnid=QYw7CV-MxOXg7M&vet=1&docid=Ost9oamKg3xsnM&w=1280&h=975&hl=fil&source=sh%2Fx%2Fim/">Image Source</a></center>

### Struggles in life ###

When I was a child, I wanted to help my parents in any way I can to lessen the burden on the family. We are 9 in the family including my parents. Their work is ***mangubod*** (*to get the palm heart of a coconut*). We usually eat ***ganamos*** (fermented fish), ***bulad*** (dried fish), and ***Utan Bisaya*** (boiled vegetables) because it's the only food we can afford, with these, our tummy was happy already. 

Sometimes, if they (my parents) have money, my mother would buy us **hotdog** and **chorizo**. The hotdog was sour and the chorizo was so sweet, I don't understand. Later, I realized that it was expired which is why it was sold cheaply. Good thing we don't have diarrhea, that is because our stomachs were immune.

There were times that if we don't have something to eat, we get to cook banana for lunch or else a scoop of rice left, we made it porridge so that we'll share it with our siblings.

I learned household chores at the age of 5, familiarizing everything. So that by the time my siblings would give me the job, I know I can. Those times were memorable to me because they molded me into what I am now.

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![FB_IMG_1657007249114.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/jobeliever/EpxrCtxbwxhWJVJJN95m7DtUsZH4xAwHf1PrbhMyWrQEbsQoyrWJ2VEKydtfCXrat3A.jpg)

<center> <sub>The center is my **amo**, she's one of the reasons why I pursued education. This photo was taken months ago and this was our recent meeting after 8 years! </sub> </center>

![FB_IMG_1657007251954.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/jobeliever/EpVBeBgghp8hqvbaHEk9XNQhSrtowwvCufW8afrsPKy62h8SLkiswoC4YBftrgdKycw.jpg)

<center> <sub> I also worked for her like being a nanny to her children and doing other household chores, when **ate** was out of town. She's the wife of ate's brother.</sub></center> 

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### There's a light in the dark ###

One sunny day, I overheard my brother that our neighboring eatery was looking for a dishwasher so I volunteered myself. I washed all the dishes, pots, and utensils used for cooking. The owner of the eatery then gave me money without asking something. 

Another day had come, and the owner called me again for I will be washing the laundry. Without hesitation, I nodded. As I went on my washing, I saw 100 pesos in the pocket of her jeans and then, set it aside so I will give it to her. She was so happy that I returned it to her. Since that day, it changed my whole life.

She made me an official employee in the eatery, and not long after, she trusted me to manage the eatery as mentioned in my intro blog post.

With this job, I always had money in my pocket and my parents didn't have to give me an allowance since I was in Grade 7. I am a scholar student in a private school (*at that time, no public school nearer to our home*) so only miscellaneous and allowance would be my struggle.

The time came, when I graduated from high school, the owner of the eatery, (*I already called her "Ate", though she's in her 50's it's the name that I am comfortable calling with*) asked me something if I can be her helper in her new house in Bogo City. Without hesitation, I said yes. I planned to go back to school when I have enough money, since my parents cannot even send me to college. 

After 3 weeks of working as a house helper, Ate asked me, *do you want to go to college?*. I got excited about what I heard from her, and I said, *yes, Ate if I had a chance*. She replied, *Okay by Monday will go to near colleges*. 

Ate has been a good **amo** for me, I learned how to cook different kinds of dishes, how to act promptly, and other things that should be remembered as a woman. 

I thanked God he sent me an instrument to reach my dreams in life. However, reaching one's dreams would have mixed emotions, like happiness, sadness, depression, pressure, and self-pity. After 4 years I conquered it. 

The heaven I felt as I received the diploma in my hands. At last! Those hard work has paid off and another journey will be faced. My proud parents were so happy that finally, I had graduated.

"Poverty is not a hindrance to success", this quote which I always put on my mind, that everything we do, we have to ask for guidance from Him then. He will answer our prayers if not today, perhaps tomorrow. All the hardships I had encountered, I lay it all to Him as He knows what lies ahead.

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