FROM rags to riches, Cinderella was transformed from a famished girl to a regal spouse of a prince. Here is a story of make-believe or fantasy.
In contrast, our story is in the flesh. Leticia Romero was born as the eldest child to a poor family in Talba, Masantol, Pampanga. His sickly father had no permanent job. Her mother was a “sacarora”, getting small commission on fish sold, and taken from consignacion in the town’s wharf. Their impoverished condition was burdened all the more by the constant arrival of the stork in their abode. When the rainy days came, Letty’s family had no rice – for its “dulang”. The young Letty had to borrow gantas of rice from her aunts to shoo away the wolf from their doorstep.
There was ray of hope though, Letty was intelligent, loving and responsible. She graduated valedictorian from her elementary grades. She cared for her parents, brothers and sisters dearly. She felt responsible for her family’s welfare but another tragedy struck when her father died.
She went to proceed to high school on scholarships. She was exempted from paying matriculation fees being the class topnotcher. Apart from her academic excellence, she won in a province wide declamation contest and was elected as veep of the School’s Student Council. Besides, she exuded charm all her own.
Letty could not afford college schooling in Manila. She went to join her aunt in Angeles City and was enrolled at Holy Angel College for her Commerce degree. Before she could graduate, she met Mr. Right and she became a blushing bride at a tender age of eighteen. The young couple settled in Angeles. The groom worked as security guard at Manila Bank. Letty became a stock clerk at the Clark Air Base. All the while, she had not forgotten her self-imposed responsibility for the upliftment of the life of her mother and sisters. She prayed long and hard that she be blessed with a prosperous business so she could shower her mother and her family the comforts of life and rescue them from their long deprivation.
The lady luck smiled on her. A group of Jewish businessman discovered her knack for running a business. They lent her substantial capital for the establishment of a garment module. Machines were bought and delivered. After successfully completing a trial period, her capitalists liked what they saw. St. Mary’s Needlecraft at L&S subdivision prospered. Because the business required the full attention, she and her husband resigned from their employment. The venture became so successful that another module had to be built along the Angeles-Magalang road.
Letty did not forget her promise to make her mother happy. More than financial comforts that she generously provide her ma, she makes her feel loved. In fact she assists not only her blood relatives but her relatives by affinity as well.
Letty has come a long way. She is modern-day Cinderella. Letty is Leticia Parungao Romero who is married to the handsome Majencio Romero. Her story is too good to be left untold.