Student with Cerebral Palsy sells ‘Balut’ to Afford His Studies

• A student from Baguio City made a great impression because of his dedication.
• Everyday, he gets to sell snacks in order to support him to school and to help his parents.

Despite his disability, the 25-year-old college student Jonel Tejedo chose to continue to work in order to put himself to school.

While wearing his school uniform, this University of Cordilleras student always has his basket filled with goods to sell to the residents of Barangay Lower General Luna.

The basket contains balut, penoy, itlog ng pugo, and chicharon.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2610912032257490&set=pcb.2610912332257460&type=3&theater

He first went viral after Facebook user Maria Awing Tauli posted photographs of him after noticing that he had difficulty talking. After she learned about his disability, she got even more impressed by his hard work and dedication.

https://www.facebook.com/mariamichelle.awing/posts/2610912332257460

Tejedo shared that he has been selling snacks for three years even if he’s a person with disability (PWD).

“Kahit may kapansanan ako, kinakaya ko lang lahat-lahat upang maituwid ang aking katauhan upang hindi hadlang ang kapansanan.”

The hospitality management student added that his earnings go to his everyday school needs and to help his parents. His father is a taxi driver while his mother is a dish washer.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2610912305590796&set=pcb.2610912332257460&type=3&theater

Pablo Erero, the employer of Tejedo’s mother, expressed his impression of the student, saying that he’s proud of him.

“Ayaw niya masayang oras niya sa paghahanapbuhay para meron siyang konting panggastos lang, pangpasok, kuha ng pamasahe.

“Proud ako kasi kayang-kaya naman po niya ‘yung ginagawa niya.”