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Sidewalk Vendor & Tricycle Driver’s Son Graduates from Engineering Course in La Salle

The son of a sidewalk vendor and tricycle driver went viral and became an inspiration to others after graduating from an engineering course in La Salle, known to be a “rich kids’ school.”

His journey to reaching his dreams inspired netizens to also try their best to achieve their goals in life…

Sidewalk Vendor & Tricycle Driver’s Son Graduates from La Salle

There are schools in the Philippines that are famous for being really expensive and are dubbed as a “rich kids’ school.”

La Salle and Ateneo are two of these schools, known for having tuition fees that are worth an ordinary worker’s 1-year salary.

So, how did the son of a sidewalk vendor and tricycle driver study in such an expensive school?

The answer is really a no-brainer: a scholarship.

Joshua Mahilum, 22, graduated from the University of St. La Salle (USLS) in Bacolod City as a scholar of the DOST (Department of Science and Technology) and the prestigious school.

He earned his chemical engineering degree from the university’s College of Engineering and Technology – and he did it with flying colors, having been awarded as an Outstanding Student.

You might be surprised to learn that it was Joshua’s parents who encouraged him to study at La Salle.

Joshua’s mom, Jennifer, sells food to drivers outside the school. She had only completed Grade 2, and wanted to ensure that her son wouldn’t experience the hardships that she went through because of her lack of education.

However, the family couldn’t afford to send him to college. Joshua’s dad, Ramil, used to be an electrician but became a tricycle driver after losing his leg in an accident. He wears a prosthetic leg.

Photo credit: Inquirer

Despite the financial constraints, his mom encouraged Joshua to seek scholarships from La Salle because he completed junior high school as first honor.

I was hesitant at first because, first and foremost, it is very, very expensive, and I did not know how to interact with rich kids, but my mother was persistent and made it possible,” he admitted.

Thankfully, he passed the rigorous selection process and was able to get a full scholarship from the Liceo De La Salle SHS (senior high school).

When he was in Grade 12, a classmate lent him Php200 to take the DOST scholarship – and he passed.

Since the scholarship only covered half the tuition fees, his mom sought the help of the school’s Admissions Scholarships Office.

Thankfully, he got a scholarship that covered the rest of the amount. He also received a monthly allowance from the DOST, enabling him to buy a laptop and get a WiFi connection at home.

Poverty is not a hindrance to success as long as there are opportunities,” he shared.

DOST Scholarship Privileges

Some of the privileges enjoyed by DOST scholars:

  • Tuition and other school fees (in private schools) – Actual fees up to ₱40,000.00 per year
  • Learning materials and/or connectivity allowance – ₱10,000.00 per year
  • Monthly living allowance – ₱7,000.00 per month
  • Clothing allowance – ₱1,000 (first semester of first year only)
  • Transportation allowance (one economy-class roundtrip fare; only for those studying outside their home province)
  • Group accident and health insurance – Premium payment
  • Thesis allowance – ₱10,000.00
  • Graduation allowance – ₱1,000.00

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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.

Photo credit: Juvelyn Dela Torre Eugenio

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.

Photo credit: Juvelyn Dela Torre Eugenio

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.

Photo credit: Juvelyn Dela Torre Eugenio

How to Become a Lawyer in the Philippines

  1. Complete a 4-year Bachelor’s Degree in Arts or Sciences.
  2. Pass the PhiLSAT (Philippine Law School Admission Test)
  3. Complete law school.
  4. Complete the law internship.
  5. 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)?

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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.

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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)
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