Working student

By Veronica V. Rillorta

After our high school graduation, I dreamt of going to college and taking up a course of my interest as the key to finding employment. But as June 2005 drew near, I started to worry. Who would send me to school? Would I end up like my brothers who became “istambay” [idlers] after high school because my parents couldn’t afford to send them to school? I was an honor student and the bread winner of my family, and I felt sorry for myself. My mother consoled me by saying I had the choice—of where to work.

I applied as a waitress in a restaurant in our town. We served so many customers, that we could only eat our lunch at 3 in the afternoon. After working a few weeks, I quit. I relaxed in our house for a few days.

But because I didn’t want to be a burden to my parents, doing nothing, I found work as a saleslady. Unfortunately, my employer cooked up some “chismis” [gossip] about me and told my relatives I had many boyfriends.

I cried when they asked me about it, and I swore that I never had an affair with any of our customers. I explained to my mother and dissuaded her from confronting my employer.

My mother then decided to put up our own cafeteria. But every night I felt miserable. I found out that I had lost my confidence in dealing with other people due to the negative experiences I had. I kept it from my mother, but every night I cried. I would stay in one corner most of the time, approaching customers only when they called. My mother told me that our business was not doing well because I was not good at entertaining customers.

I pitied my mom and blamed myself. But I was unhappy with my life and bored with just sitting and waiting every night for travelers. All my dreams faded. Everybody expected me to meet and marry a “viajero” [itinerant trader] and become a simple housewife who would feed my children and take care of my own family, just like many of my cousins who didn’t have the chance to study and married early.

Then I met a high school batch mate, who was also unable to continue her studies. She suggested that I apply for work at a cafeteria near the bus stop. I grabbed the chance to regain my self-confidence. In this new job, I thought, I would find new friends to talk to and keep depression away by socializing with other workers. My mother understood and let me go.

I was again working as a waitress. But things changed as I stayed longer. Our employer, an old woman, became too vulgar and difficult to work with. One time, she gave me only P750 for my half-month salary although I was expecting P50 more, since the month had 31 days. I complained about it and told her I was leaving. She gave me the P50, but not before making it clear to me that she considered me to be “mukhang pera” [excessively motivated by money].

I was back in our house, finding refuge in solitude. My thoughts were my companion for several months. To avoid problems with other people, I stayed at home and re-opened our cafeteria. I learned to talk to God every night about my fate and put my life in His hands. Before I knew it, I had spent two years struggling in a stressful environment.

Then another friend from high school, who had just graduated as a working student, came for a visit together with her employer, Madame Judith. My friend told me she had recommended me to Madame Judith as her new working student.

My parents were delighted. Thinking this was the help I had been praying for every night, I went to Solano town in Nueva Vizcaya province, one week before the start of classes in June 2007.

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to study in my employer’s school, while working for her family. I got free tuition and miscellaneous expenses as well as free lodging and food. They also gave me a monthly allowance amounting to P800.

Balancing my work and my studies was not easy for me at first, but my second parents guided and supported me. They accepted my weaknesses and trusted me.

Days became months, and the months became a year. I have encountered some problems along the way, but they hardly matter, compared to the chance of getting an education and becoming a more responsible and productive citizen.

My end goal is to finish my course, but Madame Judith Salas and Sir Wilson Salas have told me they have other plans for me. They must be the instruments of God’s love for me. They are modern-day good Samaritans to whom I owe my new life.

As I reminisce on my past, I no longer feel any trace of sorrow. God really works wonders for those who believe in Him.

This early I am already thinking that in order to repay God and my second parents for their kindness, I will sponsor a scholarship program for some poor, young people so that they can go to college and have a brighter future. I will also try to inculcate in them spiritual values and moral strength.

All the things happening in our country certainly affect the youth, but they should not drive us to despair. Instead, let us take them as a challenge to make a difference, for the future awaits us. Being a better youth today ensures a brighter future tomorrow. Let us always believe in God, pray without ceasing and stick to the hope that we can achieve our goals through sheer determination.

Veronica V. Rillorta, 19, is taking up a computer secretarial course at the Vizcaya Institute of Computer Science in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.