Inspiring
Boy Who Studied at McDonald’s Now Lives a Better Life, Thanks to Viral Post
It was back in June 2015 when someone snapped a photo of Daniel Cabrera as he studied outside McDonald’s, diligently doing his assignments under the light of the lamp outside the store. The post had gone viral, with the kid gaining praise for his determination.
The photo was taken by Joyce Torrefranca, a student at Cebu Doctors’ University (CDU), Mandaue City Campus. The spot at the McDonald’s outlet at the North Reclamation Area in Mandaue City had been a regular place for the kid to study because he and his family don’t have a home.
Photo credit: Joyce Torrefranca / PhilStar
With three kids to care for, Daniel’s widow mom Maria Cristina Espinosa admitted that life was difficult for the family. She only earns Php60 a day as ‘caretaker’ of a food stall across the CDU during evenings while she works as laundrywoman during the day.
“It’s tough to have no husband. In one day, we only get to eat twice. Sometimes, I wait for someone who wants their laundry done by me,” she told Cebu Daily News.
She admitted that the family did not have a home. She would only put flattened out boxes underneath the tables of the food stall so she and the kids can have a place to sleep. To protect themselves from stray animals, she would put the chairs as ‘fence’ around her children.
The McDonald’s outlet was near the food stall, making it ideal for Daniel to study his lessons there. At the time, he was still a Grade 3 student at Subangdaku Elementary School. He actually had to walk about 4 km to reach the school, but the young boy did not mind because he was determined to go to school and become a policeman someday.
After his photo went viral, help poured in for Daniel and his family. A police official has reportedly promised to shoulder his college education.
More importantly, Daniel no longer had to study at McDonald’s or sleep under the tables of a food stall. Through kindhearted netizens who gave various donations in cash and in kind, the family was able to start anew.
For instance, Fr. Carmelo Diola of the Dilaab Foundation Inc. gave the family Php3,000; Maria Cristina used the money to pay for the downpayment of a room where they are still staying now. Thanks to a sari-sari store netizens also helped her open, she no longer has to work at the food stall or as laundrywoman to support the kids. They also have a steady source of income for their daily needs.
Daniel’s 20-year-old elder brother also has job now and is helping with the family’s expenses.
Photo credit: Cebu Daily News
Recently, the McDonald’s North Reclamation Area branch had given him a congratulatory party for his graduation from elementary. But unknown to many, the store had actually been supporting Daniel since his story went viral!
He receives Php1,500 as monthly allowance from the management, something that he is set to receive until he finishes high school.
In return for all the help he received, Daniel made sure he focuses on his studies. He never misses a day in school because he wants to make sure he learns all the lessons.
The 13-year-old Daniel will be in junior high school this June. He hopes to take up BS Criminology in college so he could become a policeman as this was his dad’s dream…
Inspiring
SHS Student Brings Photos of Late Parents on Graduation Day
A senior high school (SHS) student brought framed photos of her late parents on her graduation day, touching many hearts and making netizens cry.
Her story has gone viral, with many netizens cheering her on and praying for her success in life…
SHS Student Brings Photos of Late Parents on Graduation Day
Graduation day is one of the best days in a student’s life, but it’s not always the happiest for all.
Some also experience a bittersweet moment because their loved ones aren’t with them. While many are due to having OFW parents who can’t be home for the special, others are because the parents have already passed on.
SHS student Juvelyn Dela Torre Eugenio, 18, of North Cotabato made netizens cry after she carried her parents’ framed photos as she marched and posed on stage to receive her diploma.
She explained that during recognition days and other special events when she was younger, it was always her mother who would accompany her on stage.
She wants to share her success and milestones with her parents, but they’re no longer around.
They lost their father to heart failure in July 2020.
In 2022, the siblings decided to let their mother enjoy a vacation with her older children in Manila, only to discover that she was sick and already in the terminal stages of a stage 4 battle with the Big C. They lost her shortly thereafter.
Juvelyn shared that losing their parents took a toll on her mental health, especially because she had to stand as a parent to her younger brother.
On graduation day, she vowed that she wouldn’t cry despite seeing all the other students with their parents.
But she broke down on stage when a concerned teacher asked her about her parents and offered words of consolation after she showed her their photos.
Despite the challenges, Juvelyn plans on continuing her journey as she dreams of becoming a lawyer someday.
How to Become a Lawyer in the Philippines
- Complete a 4-year Bachelor’s Degree in Arts or Sciences.
- Pass the PhiLSAT (Philippine Law School Admission Test)
- Complete law school.
- Complete the law internship.
- Pass the bar exams.
Did you know that lawyers in PAO (Public Attorney’s Office) with an entry-level position (Public Attorney I) earn a basic salary of Php95,000 (salary grade 25)?
Inspiring
Elementary Students Praised for Playing “One Day” Using Ukuleles
Elementary students at a school in Mindanao earned praise online after playing “One Day” using their ukuleles for a presentation.
Many netizens were impressed about their skills, with some commenting that it’s a difficult piece to play on a ukulele, yet most of them nailed it! Wow.
Elementary Students Play “One Day” Using Their Ukuleles
A lot of people these days have this mistaken notion that kids are only fond of using cellphones and no longer enjoy playing with traditional toys or learning how to use a traditional musical instrument – because you can find lots of options for those online or with their phones.
But a group of students from Dipolog Pilot Demonstration School impressed netizens with their skills in playing the ukulele as they presented “One Day” for the school’s 100-year celebration.
Seated on the steps of their school, the kids played the musical instruments seamlessly, except for a few issues.
And while some netizens pointed out that one of the kids appear to be struggling with the proper chords and kept shifting around during the entire performance, the overall presentation is still quite impressive!
Many netizens even commented on the post of the Facebook page “Kung Taga-Oroquieta City Ka” that they were deeply touched by the kids’ presentation and were crying while watching. Awww.
A lot also praised the coaches who made this possible – and others felt proud of the children even if they had no idea who these little ones are.
It’s also quite impressive to see that the class had so many ukuleles. It is unknown whether the kids own the musical instruments or if the school provided them, but what’s clear is that their presentation is truly admirable.
What’s a Ukulele?
A ukulele is a type of string musical instrument that’s smaller than a guitar. It usually has nylon strings as opposed to the metal used in standard guitars.
The instrument also has four strings but isn’t considered a “kid’s instrument” only. Instead, it can be played by kids and adults alike.
Inspiring
Proud Vendor Dad Offers Free Taho after Daughter Passes Board Exams for Teachers
One proud vendor dad offered free taho for everyone when his daughter passed the LET (Licensure Examination for Teachers).
Netizens were even more impressed to learn that the young lady passed after doing a self-review.
Truly amazing, right?
Vendor Offers Free Taho after Daughter Passes Teacher’s Board
Passing the board exams is truly a milestone that everyone can be proud of – and most of the time, the parents are their children’s proudest cheerleaders!
Of course, spouses and kids also feel the same thing. For example, a taxi driver offered free rides after his wife passed the LET.
The proud parents of a student who passed that same LET are also offering free taho to their customers.
Bobby and Rose Torallo happily got a tarpaulin up to celebrate the success of their daughter, Rosebel Cielo Torallo. The young woman had graduated cum laude from Baao Community College in Baao, Camarines Sur.
Apparently, based on her mom’s post on Facebook, she had also self-reviewed for the licensure exams – and this made her success even sweeter for the family.
In the post of her mom, Rose, it showed that the family’s main source of income is from selling taho. It was through this that the parents were able to send their kids to school.
Rose lamented that there were times when people looked down on their because they are “just” taho vendors.
Thankfully, the family didn’t mind what these people are saying. Instead, they persevered and put their faith in God.
She thanked all her kids for cooperating and striving hard to succeed in their studies even if their parents are only supporting them by selling taho.
How to Celebrate Passing the Board Exams
There are many ways to celebrate passing the board the exams. Some of these are:
- Throwing a party
- Buying cake
- Going on a trip
- Treating your family, friends, or even strangers to something (such as a free rides from taxi drivers or free taho from vendors)
SHS Student Brings Photos of Late Parents on Graduation Day
Elementary Students Praised for Playing “One Day” Using Ukuleles
Supermarket Goes Viral for Flag-Inspired Instant Noodle Display to Honor Independence Day
Proud Vendor Dad Offers Free Taho after Daughter Passes Board Exams for Teachers
