TRIALS AND BLESSINGS, AND EVEN MORE BLESSINGS
JOAN AGUILA
I have always thought that I am so unblessed. Ever since elementary school days, my family has not been financially blessed. All the while, even though there were times that we could not meet 3 meals a day I still thought things were good enough because I had a happy & complete family. But then, it wasn’t. As I was about to enter my 3rd year here in Pisay, my Dad died- yes, about your age. And back then, he was the sole bread winner of the family. Indeed, it was very painful. That was when I joined Foundation’s Godparent program. At first, I was thinking too negatively about it – as I was in all my other affairs. I was thinking: “I could not make it through the program… There is a grade average requirement and I would fail that… I think… so on & so forth.” But then I pursued to join because I thought there is nothing wrong with trying and as I was the eldest of 3 siblings, I had to help my mom with all the finances.
Soon, my family had to transfer to the province because we can no longer meet the expenses here in Manila. I was left to make a decision to pursue my college & stay in Manila but handle all my expenses or stay in the province with my family. Once again, I tried to overcome negative thoughts about it: “I cannot be living on my own… I have stayed with my family for my entire life then I would be by myself and handling my own expenses… No, this can’t be.” Then I realized that nothing will change in my condition and in my family’s condition if I will not be brave enough to risk. There were so many I can’t’s and what if’s but I would not know if these where to be true if I would not at least try. And so, I took harder choice. First thing I did was write a letter to Mr. Joselito Sibayan, my godparent in this program, to ask if I can still ask for his assistance for my college years. It was a big leap for me because I was really shy to ask him another favor when he has helped me out through my High school already. I swear I was crying as I was writing that letter.
My wish was granted. And I had to work as a student assistant here in the Foundation Office. I have also spent time working in other jobs so as to satisfy the ever increasing college & daily expenses. When I am not working here at the office, I lectured & trained student classes in a review center. I get to grab income opportunities that came along the way. I was no longer shy as I always thought about my family and how these little things will help me continue my studies and eventually change the condition that my family was into. I even got to work backstage for theater production.
To cut the long story short, I was able to balance my work & studies. I graduated a 5 year course of BS Chemical Engineering from UP Diliman. I even had the time to serve as a student leader in the Engineering Student Council and in other various organizations. Just last year, I received my license as a Chemical Engineer. I also got the chance to work as an intern for Procter & Gamble Phils, Inc. and have gained trust in my superiors in my previous work with United Laboratories, Inc. At the moment, I am happily working as an IT Specialist for Hewlett-Packard Asia Pacific.
You may be feeling the same doubts & fears that I had before. But you see, all you have to do is look at the brighter side of things and focus on what you want to see or happen. Nothing is impossible, or so they say. After all, I am actually blessed. And yes, YOU too are blessed.
