How far can a a pedal driver and leftover food collector at ‘karinderyas’ go with regards to education?
For Jerson Aboabo, being a ‘padyak’ driver and collector of leftover food at ‘karinderyas’ is not easy. It is something you can get mocked at, looked down at and be immensely discouraged from dreaming about a better future.
But he’s a fighter who rose above all the discouragements and mockery! He proved everyone wrong.
He graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Education, Major in Filipino, at the Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT). He was a Magna Cum Laude!
Aside from his Latin honors, he is also a college Leadership Awardee and Department Leadership Awardee.
Jerson said in an interview with GMA News that being a pedal driver helped him with his expenses for high school to second year college.
He had experienced ridicule at first because he failed to pass the MSU-IIT’s System Admission and Scholarship Examination (SASE).
Even though he felt lacking in terms of knowledge, he didn’t give up on wanting to graduate from his dream course. He waited for his chance. He started in engineering then later on shifted to Education.
In a Facebook post on July 25, 2022, Jerson, shared his journey to victory.
When he failed to pass the SASE in 2018, a lot of people damped his confidence to pursue. Still, Jerson chose to have a positive mindset.
Aside from his failed score, the other thing Jerson was being mocking at was the nature of his work.
Could he stay in the IIT if he was just a “tagakuha lamang siya ng ‘lamaw’? padyak driver?”
“Lamaw” is a word in Bisaya that refers to leftover food. It is called in Tagalog ‘pagpag’; food usually given to animals.
He said he was ashamed of it at first, but later on, he realized that he should be proud of it because it i a decent job and it helps pay for his school expenses.
Many asked him how he handled work and education.
“Passion to understand na makayang maging motivator in a world full of critics,” he said.
There are times he cry at night because he had no money and it was hard to earn money. It was a tough life.
But all of these added color to Jerson’s college journey.
“My four years in IIT was definitely the time of my life na hindi ko makakalimutan. My heart is full knowing na si Lord ay kasama ko since the beginning.”
Presently, he is continuing his journey at the La Salle as per his recent post. Goodluck!
“Second day pa lang nako sa La Salle pero grabe (heart emojis). Salamat mga ma’ams of Filipino Department sa pa cake and pa balloons (ma’am Ritchell ikaw na bahala tag nilang ma’am). Looking forward for a fun and fulfilling journey para sa mga bata! Above all, thank you, Lord!”
