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- Former kargador shared the hardships he faced in life before achieving his dreams.
- He and his family suffered from poverty when he was younger.
Netizen Jonny Viray inspired people when he posted his story at the DepEd Open Educational Resources (OER) Facebook group. He narrated his journey from being born to a poor family, having little income from being a ‘kargador’ to becoming a Doctor of Education.
“Mayo 28, 1987, nung araw na isilang ako bilang isang musmos na nakatakdang bumuo ng matataas na pangarap. Hayaan niyong dalhin ko kayo pabalik doon sa panahon kung paano ako ginabayan ng Diyos sa aking pag-aaral,” he started his post.
Viray finished his elementary studies at Marulas Elementary School in Valenzuela City. He used to walk to school and after he attends his classes, he was tasked to do house chores. This young kid only had Php2 as ‘baon’.
“Naranasan ko yan nung elementarya ako. Di ako matalino, di ako magaling. Wala ako sa honor nung kabataan ko. Grades ko ay mga pansibak ng kahoy, na kung saan ang tawag sa seven ay palakol. Isang beses lang ako nakakuha ng line of 8, saktong 80 pa. Tapos sa Values pa. At nung pag-uwi ko nung graduation namen, walang handa.”
When he was about to enter high school, his family decided to move to Pampanga. He suggested studying in a public high school as he knows that they have no money to afford the tuition fee of private institutions. But his father rejected the idea and enrolled him in Pampanga Institute.
At that point, they needed to pay Php244 per month. As his father was only a ticket collector then, he needed to sacrifice and walked to and from school every single day. There were days that he would go to his classes without having breakfast aside from coffee.
Viray would often pass out due to hunger and he even told his teacher at that time that he may not go to school anymore as he was embarrassed by his situation. But after his Filipino teacher motivated him, he decided to carry on.
Their school uniform required students to wear black leather shoes. He knows his parents can’t afford it but luckily, someone gave him a pair. However, the shoes were for girls, but having no choice, he swallowed his pride and went to school every single day wearing those shoes.
When he graduated high school, Viray decided to be a kargador as his parents couldn’t afford to send him to school anymore. He would hide from his former classmates, afraid of the idea of someone finding out that he can’t afford to study anymore.
Here’s when things started to improve.
His former teacher rented a place near their home. Because of that, she met Viray’s mother and got surprised when she found out that he quit school. She then encouraged the boy to continue his studies and enter as a working student.
“Nung college life ko, pumapasok ako ng 6 or 7 ng umaga tapos uuwi ng mga 12 o 1 ng hapon. Maglalakad at papasok sa trabaho kahit matindi ang sikat ng araw. Tapos lalakad uli papunta sa sakayan ng jeep para pumasok sa Macabebe. Kaya po maitim ako, kase nasunog yung balat ko sa kakalakad kahit tirik yung araw.”
He also recalled the time when people looked down on him because of his financial status.
“Naaalala ko non may nagsabi pa sa akin, utusan ka lang, kaya lalo kong ginustong matapos at nakuhang matapos sa kolehiyo bilang Magna Cum Laude.”
After getting his license, he had the chance to work in the Department of Education (DepEd). And while working, he enrolled at Don Honorio Ventura Technological University for his Master of Arts in Education, Major in Educational Management.
Viray didn’t stop there as he also got his Doctor of Education honors.
“Di biro ang mga bagay na kailangang isakripisyo para sa pag-aaral. Pero nandyan naman ang Diyos para punan ang mga pangangailangan ko. Kahit mas madami na ang utang kaysa sa sweldo, go lang. Kailangan magtiis at magsakripisyo.”
He then ended his post by sharing a few of the lessons he learned along his challenge-filled journey.
