Connect with us

Inspiring

Famous Celebrities with Rags-to-Riches Stories

They now belong to the roster of the world’s super rich people but there are many famous celebrities and personalities who once were so poor that they could barely afford to buy food to fill their hungry stomachs!

Steve Jobs

Before he became a millionaire at age 23, the youngest at the time to make it to Forbes’ list of the country’s richest people, Steve Jobs was poor. The child of two immigrant students who struggled to make ends meet, he was put up for adoption.

Matthew Yohe, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The adoption itself was probably a blessing to Jobs whose adoptive father supported his love for electronics. This was how he eventually made a fortune.

Ralph Lauren

YES Network, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The name ‘Ralph Lauren’ is so famous in the fashion industry that it is surprising to learn Lauren had been a poor immigrant who had only dreamed of becoming rich someday. He reportedly wrote “millionaire” as his future goal on his high school year book – and he managed to do that after building his own company from scratch.

Oprah Winfrey

photo by Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Born into a poor Mississippi family in 1954, Oprah Winfrey ran away from home at age 13 following a difficult childhood under the hands of family members and a family friend. She went on to become first African-American TV correspondent in the state of Tennessee at 19 and an acclaimed TV host who would later own her TV network.

She is officially recognized as the first female black billionaire with a net worth of around $2.6 billion.

J.K. Rowling

Daniel Ogren, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Before she made a fortune that’s estimated to be at least $60 million with the Harry Potter books, J.K. Rowling was a struggling single mom who could barely pay their rent. She battled depression before becoming one of the world’s most famous writers.

Celine Dion

Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Growing up in a family with 14 children, Celine Dion experienced hardships and didn’t even have a room of her own. She slept on a little ramp that led to her siblings’ shared bedrooms. She rose to fame as one of the world’s most powerful singers and is now worth at least $455 million.

Dolly Parton

Curtis Hilbun, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Born to a tobacco farmer and construction worker who didn’t even know how to read or write, Dolly Parton shared the struggles of her family as the fourth of 12 children. But the young girl soon became a world-famous singer who would later win nine Grammy awards and is now worth more than $37 million.

Halle Berry

Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Hally Berry slept in homeless shelters and struggled to make ends meet before becoming a famous actress with a net worth of around $80 million.

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.

Photo credit: Kung Taga-Oroquieta City Ka

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.

Continue Reading

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.

Photo credit: Rose Torallo

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.

Photo credit: Rose Torallo
Photo credit: Rose Torallo

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.

Photo credit: Rose Torallo

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.

Photo credit: Rose Torallo

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)
Continue Reading

Inspiring

Jollibee Praised for Hiring PWD Crew (Communicates via Writing or Sign Language)

Jollibee recently earned praise for hiring a PWD crew who can only communicate via writing or sign language.

What’s great is that this isn’t the first time that the Pinoy fast food brand went viral for a similar thing.

Jollibee Goes Viral for Hiring PWD Crew

In the fast-paced world of a fast food restaurant, especially one as popular as Jollibee, the service crew is often busy.

Everyone needs to be ready to help out the customers and work hard to achieve the company’s goals of making them satisfied.

Photo credit: Mylene Manalo Consignado

Still, the fast food company is making waves online for hiring a crew member who can only communicate via writing or sign language.

Netizen Mylene Manalo Consignado shared that she was in tears upon seeing a young woman named Maria Celeste working at a Jollibee outlet.

Photo credit: Mylene Manalo Consignado

The young lady is in full Jollibee uniform but has a large nametag that also indicates she’s a PWD (person with disability).

The nametag isn’t there for shaming her situation but to warn the customers that she isn’t like the rest of the crew. They can only communicate with her through writing or sign language – and the communication is preferably in English.

Photo credit: Mylene Manalo Consignado
Photo credit: Mylene Manalo Consignado

The situation is heartwarming, especially because many business establishments aren’t likely to hire PWDs because of their limited abilities. Consider that Jollibee is a busy work place, it’s amazing that Maria Celeste got her chance to be part of the team.

Photo credit: Mylene Manalo Consignado

Amazingly, this isn’t a first for the company.

Some months ago, Jollibee was praised for hiring a tattooed guy – considering that people with tattoos are often judged for their inks, particularly in the workplace.

Where to Learn Sign Language

Sign language classes are often offered in special schools, such as those for children/people with disabilities.

You can also find online tutorials or classes.

Continue Reading

Trending