Striving for the future
TO LIVE a life stricken with tight financial needs is like trekking a narrow pathway, but it is never a dead-end for a hardworking student like Jason Codera who dreams of a better future.
For him, his life is something not to be dictated by fate alone.
“Para sa akoa man gud importante nga makahuman ko sa pagskwela kay kini makatabang jud og dako pag-abot sa panahon (For me to finish my education is very important because this will benefit me when the time comes),” Codera said.
He knows that the income his father earns from driving the motorycyle everyday would not suffice Jason’s and his five other siblings’ needs.
“Mao tung ako na pud ang naay initiative nga mangita og way para makatabang pud sa akoang pagskwela. Nagsugod ko og baligya og candies atung junior high school hangtud karun gapamaligya gihapon ko (That’s why I made an initiative to help myself finish my studies. I started with selling candies when I was in junior high school, until now I still sell),” Codera said.
When he reached senior high school Jason decided to sell lumpia to earn more. It all started when Jason’s friend asked him if he wanted to sell lumpia, and when Jason agreed his life started to change.
He gets his supply of lumpia from a lumpia maker in Acacia. The supply gets to be delivered at his school’s gate where Jason waits and sells to his schoolmates and teachers.
“500 pieces akong ginabaligya ug makaearn pud ko og P1,000 kada adlaw kung mahurot (I sell 500 pieces and earn P1,000 everyday if it gets sold out),” he said.
Jason knew that what he was earning is a big help for him and his family that’s why he makes sure his earnings are well-saved.
“Ginatigum nako for college tapos katung akong gusto nga palitunon nga laptop mapalit pud nako maski sa pawnshop para makatipid pud (I am saving it for college and for the things I want to buy like a laptop even if it comes from the pawnshop so that I can spend less),” Codera said.
He added with the income he gets, he shares it too with his family to make ends meet. He also helps his brother by providing him allowance from the income he earns from lumpia-selling.
“Basta kabalo lang ka mugasto sa kung unsay dapat, dili lang na siya ipangbarkada (As long as you know how to spend it wisely, and not just for hanging out with friends),” Codera said.
Jason’s teacher Kristine Reyes is also a witness to the generous heart of Jason.
“When Jason has something to give, he never fails to lend a helping a hand, especially to his family and even to his friends,” Reyes said, adding that she is proud of Jason who is also a deligent student, complying with academic responsibilities by participating in class and even leading classroom works.
“Ang maingon lang nako sa mga kabataan kay magsipag lang jud ug trust lang na walay imposible. Ug kung ganahan jud ka sa imong ginabuhat, makaya na tanan. Dapat pud naa kay paghadlok sa Ginoo pud (What I can say to my fellow youth is to be hardworking and trust that nothing is impossible. If you really love what you are doing, then there’s nothing you can't do. Of course, you must be God-fearing),” Codera said in an interview.