As the saying goes, never judge someone’s future by their current appearance or occupation; one day, they might be your boss or even your children’s teacher.
This powerful reminder was shared by Carl E. Balita, a well-known review center owner and former senatorial candidate, in his recent Facebook post.
“From Bote Bakal girl to Licensed Professional Teacher!! Thank you for inspiring us Ma’am April Joy Geminolopez Ceballos ❤️💞 Continue to soar High like the eagle you are!!” he said.
The post highlights the inspiring journey of Teacher April Joy, who rose from a life of scavenging and peddling to achieving her college degree.
“Maraming salamat sa mga taong tumulong sa akin, hindi ko makamit ang lisensiyang ito kung hindi dahil sa inyong mga tulong, hindi ko kayo maisa-isa dahil napakarami ninyo,” she said.
From childhood through her review period, she never hesitated to scavenge or peddle to meet her educational needs.
Photo courtesy: Facebook / April Joy Geminolopez Ceballos via Carl Balita
“Ako ang batang nagpupursiging magbote bakal para man lang may ma allowance ako noong time na ako ay nag-aaral/nagrerebyu pa at walang-wala sa buhay. Sabi ko sa sarili ko na mag pa picture kaya ako while ako ay nag bote bakal para pagdating nang panahon ipost ko ang mga larawang ito pag ako ay makapasa ng board exam. At dahil sa awa ng diyos binigay niya sa akin ang mga hinihiling ko sa kanya,” she stated.
She also shared her experiences while preparing for the March 2023 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET).
She shared that, just to get by and have something to eat each day, she relied on a jar of shrimp paste, or bagoong alamang, stretching it for three months while she was reviewing.
“Ang ulam ko sa loob ng tatlong buwan ay isang garapong alamang na nilagyan ko ng itlog, tinipid ko ito hanggang makaabot ng tatlong buwan, tatlong beses din akong inubo dahil siguro sa palaging maalat ang ulam ko hahaha.”
“Mga [ka-boardmate] ko noon ay napakabango mga ulam nila tulad ng adobong manok at iba pa tuwing niyaya nila ako na sumabay kami kumain ang palagi kong sabi sa kanila ay tapos na po ako kumain mga ma’am and sir pero ang totoo ay mahiya akong sumabay sa kanila.”
She reportedly attempted to “steal” food from her boardmates, but she restrained herself from doing so.
“One time naranasan kong mag-attempt na magnakaw ng ulam nila 😊 noong sila ay lumabas sa board house nila pero nagdadalawang-isip ako na wag na lang baka makarma ako at ito pa ang dahilan na hindi ako makapasa ng board exam😊.”
So, her reminder to young people like her is, “Sa mga kabataan na kagaya ko na mahirap huwag mawalan ng pag-asa laban lang sa buhay.”
Photo courtesy: Facebook / April Joy Geminolopez Ceballos via Carl Balita
“Naniniwala kasi ako na walang mahirap sa taong may pangarap.”
