Inspiring
Graduate Honors His Scavenger Dad After Finally Graduating from UP
A graduate honors his scavenger dad after finally graduating from UP.
Netizens are happy to read his story, saying that his dad is surely so proud that he was able to graduate from UP despite the challenges he had to face in all those difficult years.
Graduate Honors His Scavenger Dad
Scavengers go through other people’s trash in search of recyclable things they can sell to junk shops for some money.
While many families are stuck in this harsh cycle of poverty, with their kids also becoming scavengers like their parents, it’s nice to see that there are also others who are able to change their lives. One way to do that is through education.
As TJ Tenedero graduates with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Applied Economics Major in Agricultural Policy and Development from the University of the Philippines Los Baños, he honors his father, a scavenger.
TJ recalled that their family lived in the squatter’s area. Even as a child, he knew that they were poor, with his dad spending time away from their house to find recyclable junk to sell.
He knew his dad’s routine of waking up early in the morning to gather junk, then returning home to collage the stuff he could sell.
On days when the prices are low, TJ’s dad would hold on to the junk he collected until the prices are better.
There were many times when the family faced many challenges, including TJ’s mom getting sick for a long time, but he’s glad that they were able to manage.
He shared that he first dreamed of studying in UP back in 2005. Although it took him a long time to finally graduate because he faced difficulties in his studies, he’s thankful that he’s able to make his parents proud.
“Pero bilang sa UP ako nag-aaral ang isang katulad kong hindi matalino at anak lang ng mahirap, hindi lang ako sa financial nahirapan. Of course, mas mahirap mag-aral sa UP,” he recalled.
“Dahil sa mga pagkabigo konsa acads, nagkaroon ng epekto ang mga subjects ko sa mga sumunod na sem. Kaya tumagal ang stay ko sa UP. Kaya ako nadelay.”
What’s impressive about TJ is that even if he already knew that he’s going to fail, he doesn’t drop the subject because he truly wanted to learn.
“I admit, hindi talaga ako yung stereotype na matalinong UP Student pero matiyaga ako. Kahit nga alam kong babagsak na ako, pumapasok pa rin ako. Hindi ako nagdadrop. Para alam ko kung ano ang mga aaralin at paano ko maipapasa sa susunod. Pwede ko siyang hindi pasukan o idrop pero nanghihinayang rin ako noon, di lang sa tax, sa hirap ng magulang ko pero pati na rin sa pwede ko pang matutunan kahit pabagsak na ako,” he explained.
“Maraming araw rin na nagpa plano ako na araw-araw aaralin ang mga subjects para maiwan ang singko. Kaso palaging hindi natutupad dahil marami ring ginagawa sa iba pang subjects.”
The difficulties he had in his academics also had a negative effect on his dad, especially because he spent so many years in college.
But to help his scavenger dad, he made sure to find a job while juggling time for his studies.
Thankfully, he was finally able to graduate and make his dad proud. He’s now able to give back.
How Much Do Scavengers Earn?
As TJ explained, his scavenger dad could earn around Php300-500 a day. Sometimes, it could ready Php700 to Php1,000 if he’s lucky.
However, the “per day” isn’t actually money they earn each day because there are many times when his dad would just group together the stuff he collected for several days.
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
