It's now or Never

So there I was, a high school graduate. What kind of job can I get with my HS diploma? I won't be able to go to College because there 's no way and means. I took the College Entrance test in Bicol University but I did not get the result because I didn't submit my NCEE result(National Coll. Entrance Exam). Why not? Because I had to help my parents. My siblings are getting big and with a minimal income that my parents had, they can no longer afford to send all of them to school so I have to find a job.

So right after my graduation, my cousin Elsa took me in Nabua Camarines Sur where she and her sister work, it was a big grocery store. They recommended me to their boss, got a two week job for observation, she liked my performance and I got hired. The salary is not bad, it was enough for me to help my family. I worked there for a couple of years and then decided to left and go to Manila instead. I wasn't sure to what job I was gonna get in Manila and I ended up working on a small store In Baliuag Bulacan. Salary was too small so after a year, I decided to go back to my former job.

While working there for the second time, I met this tall, dark and ... ahem...a very nice and friendly guy, DN. He was only there for a summer job, we became friends and later on, I learned that he is my boss' nephew. So of course when he told me that he want to court on me I said no. I'm afraid that my boss would fire me if she learn about it. But the guy was so persistent, so after months and months of kakulitan and suyuan, I gave up and said Yes. So true enough when my boss learned about it, she told her sister( my bf's mom) about it and his family told me he's better off without me. They told me that I was not the right woman for their son.

Well I can't blame them, Chinese clans do always want their kids to marry Chinese kids too. Though I love the guy, I told him its better for us to part ways because I don't want to lose my job, that my family needs me. He disagree of course, he told me that I have to leave my job and enroll to college instead. I said, "What the heck are you thinking?" My savings wasn't good enough to support my school expenses. Then he told me to just enroll and apply as a working student.

Though unsure of my decision, I took his advise and enrolled in Divine Word College of Legazpi. I did not tell my parents that I enrolled in College but I told them that I would not be able to send money for a while because I got fired from my job. But they learned about it when I ran into a student who is from my place, so she told my parents about it. So then, the envious people in our place are spreading rumors about me that I have a sugar daddy as they call it who supports my finances. My parents was devastated about the rumors but I told them to just let them talk about it because I wasn't doing anything wrong.

When my freshman year was almost over and my savings was almost empty too, spent most of it for tuition fees, boarding house rental and food. Summer vacation came and I took the examination for working students. When the result came, I was so disappointed because I was not on the list of those who qualified.

I cried and cried and said that my dream was over until one day...I went to school to get a transcript so I can apply for a job in Legazpi and I saw my name on the board requesting me to see the Guidance Counselor. I was concerned and worried at first because I thought I did something wrong. But I was delighted when the Guidance Counselor asked me if I am still interested to work as a student assistant. I excitedly said "YES MA'AM!" After I heard the good news, I went to the chapel and thanked God for always taking care of me. Going out the school gate I had a very big smile on my face.

So I enrolled again and worked as SA (student assistant) in Finance Office. As a working student, our tuition fees are free (up to 21 units), and we have monthly allowance. Though my TF were free, I still couldn't go on because I don't have savings anymore for board and lodging. When my savings was almost gone, God took care of me again. Fr. Baby Joaquin, my boss in Finance Office asked me if I want to live in the father's quarter because they need a replacement for an SA who got sick and went home (thanks to you Joseph).

By living there, I was receiving two allowances which I used to help my parents and pay for the extra units I was taking and miscellaneous fees. I took all summer classes so I finished my course with one semester ahead of my batch mates (I was also an academic achiever for two consecutive semesters-yohooooo!). So during the last semester of my course I was already working in my alma mater as the secretary in the Student Affairs Office.

Thanks a lot to the SVD priests (Fr. Alex, Fr. Eli Yyance, Fr. Mike Padua, the late Fr. Joe and most especially Fr Babes who guided and supported me all the way). I can't thank you enough for all the great deeds you've done for me, for molding me to be a better person and for all the wisdom you've imparted in me. I thanked DN too for encouraging me to reach my goal.

It was tough but I managed to get through it. I admit that there were times where I doubted my decision but I never lost hope. You just have to believe in yourself, set a goal, put your mind to it and work hard, have faith in God (don't ever let go of Him), use the criticism you get from people who don't believe in you as a positive tool and I assure you, you will succeed. That was exactly what I did. GOD always provides everything that we need we just have to do our part.