MOST of his schoolmates know or are familiar with him because of his perseverance and hard work, long before he went viral online because of his honesty store at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP).
Responsible, industrious, an efficient machine personified – these were just some of the remarks of people around Joenel M. Malanog, 20, a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship student. They see him daily selling food products around the campus but never did they catch him not wearing his usual contagious smile.
He is into ambulant vending since fifth grade. At an early age, Joenel’s eyes are already wide-open to the world’s harsh reality. Instead of dwelling so much into poverty, he works hard to flip his fate.
“This (ambulant vending) is very helpful because there are times when I need to buy something and my parents cannot provide. I saw it as a way to provide for my needs and wants,” he said in the vernacular. He was perspiring during the interview but he wiped off his sweat with a towel.
Reselling lumpia, doughnuts, ice candies, and barbecues is his bread and butter. But he is not doing this for himself alone.
“I need to do this or else we have nothing to source our daily expenses at home and in school,” teary-eyed Joenel shared.
His father is a porter at Bankerohan Public Market while his mother is a housewife. He has five other siblings, four of whom are still dependent to their parents and him. He is his family’s breadwinner. He provides for their family’s daily meals and necessities and his four siblings’ daily allowances, school, and personal needs.
“My father’s income is not enough. I find this as a way to help not just myself but also my siblings. I provide for their daily allowances, school and personal needs. Actually my parents did not tell me to do this. This is of my own free will because I saw our financial situation and how my parents work hard to raise us, I just feel I need to help them,” he said.
Every day, Joenel goes to his supplier. Every morning, he roams around his school to sell food items. But during afternoon, he sets up an honesty store inside the campus, where he leaves his food products while he’s attending his classes.
“I was hesitant about putting up an honesty store at first but my faith on the innate goodness and honesty of students is stronger. I just believe that God is watching the items I’m selling,” a grateful Joenel said.
But before he enrolled in college, the 20-year old vendor and student has earned a lot of experience than just ambulant vending. He was a helper at Bankerohan Public Market in the morning, sells “kakanin” in the afternoon, and collects garbage at night.
“It was very tiring but I look at it as a training ground. Looking at my situation, I am not focusing on the negative side. Poverty is not a hindrance but a driving factor for us to be motivated and inspired to overcome challenges,” he said.
He even shared that when a person was born, God gave no cash but a set of skills, power, and ability to gain, earn, and learn.
Today, with sheer diligence and faith in God, Joenel earns some P2, 000 daily from his ambulant vending. There is sure fruit from labor.
Asked about his dream, Joenel was quick and knows exactly what he wants – to earn a degree, bring his family out of poverty, and establish his own food chain.
He shared that a pie of his daily income goes to saving a capital for his soon-to-be business.
“I am certain that all of these challenges are temporary, after hardships, there will be triumph,” he said.
Juggling studies and work at the same time while helping his parents makes ends meet daily, Joenel is truly an inspiration and worth emulating.