First I was born in hand to mount Family. Mag sasasa ang Tatay (Nipa Hat Plantation farmer) at ang Nanay ko is kakanin verdor and fish vendor. Sometimes she would do part time doing the laundry of other people's clothes. Labing isa kaming magkakapatid you have to remember.
I would go to school 3 times a week and 4 days a week I would help my mum selling fish or I would spend full day with my dad's muddy, mosquito infested, cold and wet work place. I hated it. That's when I ask my dad, "Tay gusto ko pong mag aral" I was crying. My dad's answer was this "anak paano ka mag aaral eh mahirap lang tayo." He was crying too. I felt the frustrations. I felt the desire for him to send me to school but he can't do his job alone. That moment, I made the defining decision that changed my life forever at a very young age. I will finish my studies no MATTER WHAT.
I did everything I could. I worked for money. Nag kundoktor ako ng jeep while I was in high school. (Most of the time naakusahan ako na nagungupit sa kita ng jeep) but I just bowed my head and continue coz I know that it was not true. Sumama ako maging laborer ng construction at the age of 12-15. I sold Ice Cream and Ice candy sticks on the streets. My dad and I would go round the entire town buying and selling "bote-garapa at bakal-tanso-aluminum".
I spent all my summers doing summer jobs. I never grew up like a proper kid. If sometimes I managed to play a bit with my friends mapapalo pa ako.
Back in college, I was determined to finish my education. I thought if I could finish my studies, this is my ticket out of poverty. I could help my mum and dad getting out my siblings from hardships in life too. Last April 2018, my youngest brother finished college too. Thanks to the whole family.
I was blessed. God gave me countless opportunities to attain those that I prayed for. God gave me tools to make my dreams come true, I just utilised them. God gave me generous people whom I am forever grateful. I was given understanding formators. I was gifted with thoughtful and supportive friends.
Sa hindi nakakakilala sa akin, I am Anthony. I am the eldest amongst 11 siblings. I live in the UK. I have a beautiful family here, I have 2 lovely kids. I am studying full time nursing and on my last year in University this year at the age of 40. I studied bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and eventually took bachelor of Science in Secondary Education way back in the Philippines. We own our house, I drive a car from A to B. I am a vlogger and lastly I am a business owner.
My CV seems a lot. It is a lot. Not including various jobs I have worked here in the UK. But I to get where I am now is not a journey in the Park. It is not handed over to me. I have to work hard to attain where I am now.
Life is never easy. It is never fair. But I never blamed anybody. See, success is is taking full control of your life. I never doubted myself that one day I would hold that diploma. I would make my dad proud.
Have a Blessed Friday Everyone.
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