Would you survive a day with just a Php 20 allowance?
For fresh graduate Robin Lee Metiam, this amount helped him survive five years in college. Through hard work, discipline, and God’s help, Metiam was able to earn his degree in Electrical Engineering at Tarlac State University (TSU) despite the small sum of daily pocket money.
“20 pesos. Marahil halos lahat tayo hindi kayang mabuhay sa araw-araw na 20 pesos lang ang pera. Lalong lalo na sa mga estudyante na kung titingnan eh prang sa pamasahe palang eh ubos na. 20 pesos. Dyan sa halagang yan umikot ang limang taon ko sa kolehiyo,” Metiam wrote in his viral Facebook post.
His first year in college became financially challenging for Metiam’s family as his father suddenly lost his job. As a result, his older brother had to sacrifice and give up his studies in order to make way for him.
From Php 50-daily allowance in high school, Metiam struggled to budget his Php 20 allowance for transportation fees and food. He spent Php 7 for transportation going to school and another Php 7 going home. Meanwhile, he spent the remaining Php 6 little by little throughout the day, which was just enough to buy a refreshment and one piece of candy.
In his second year in college, a period of his life when he got to know God more, Metiam worked as a Math and Science tutor after his classes in order to have his own earnings. Although he had additional income, Metiam still allotted Php 20 for his daily allowance and saved his extra money in order to help his period. At this period he spent Php 7 for transportation going to school, Php 2 for tithes and offerings and Php 11 for his snacks. He just walked home in order to save Php 7.
His third year in college opened a door of opportunities for him as he qualified as a Department of Science and Technology (DOST) scholar. His scholarship allowed him to help his family and others in need. Despite his new status, he still kept a Php 20-budget. But this time, he just allocated Php 20 for food budget. Other expenses such as transportation, tithes and offerings came from his allowance from the DOST.
Metiam maintained this lifestyle until he finished his fifth year in college.
According to him, living on a Php 20-daily allowance for five years taught him a lot of lessons in life.
“Grabe kase ang tinuro ng Panginoon sa akin gamit ang 20 pesos na yan. Tinuruan akong magtiyaga, mas lalong pahalagahan ang mga bagay bagay na meron ako, at higit sa lahat ay mas lalo akong naturuang mas kumapit at magtiwala sa Panginoon sa lahat ng oras,” Metiam wrote.
-- Mini, The Summit Express
For fresh graduate Robin Lee Metiam, this amount helped him survive five years in college. Through hard work, discipline, and God’s help, Metiam was able to earn his degree in Electrical Engineering at Tarlac State University (TSU) despite the small sum of daily pocket money.
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| PHOTO CREDIT: Facebook/Robin Lee Metiam |
His first year in college became financially challenging for Metiam’s family as his father suddenly lost his job. As a result, his older brother had to sacrifice and give up his studies in order to make way for him.
From Php 50-daily allowance in high school, Metiam struggled to budget his Php 20 allowance for transportation fees and food. He spent Php 7 for transportation going to school and another Php 7 going home. Meanwhile, he spent the remaining Php 6 little by little throughout the day, which was just enough to buy a refreshment and one piece of candy.
In his second year in college, a period of his life when he got to know God more, Metiam worked as a Math and Science tutor after his classes in order to have his own earnings. Although he had additional income, Metiam still allotted Php 20 for his daily allowance and saved his extra money in order to help his period. At this period he spent Php 7 for transportation going to school, Php 2 for tithes and offerings and Php 11 for his snacks. He just walked home in order to save Php 7.
His third year in college opened a door of opportunities for him as he qualified as a Department of Science and Technology (DOST) scholar. His scholarship allowed him to help his family and others in need. Despite his new status, he still kept a Php 20-budget. But this time, he just allocated Php 20 for food budget. Other expenses such as transportation, tithes and offerings came from his allowance from the DOST.
Metiam maintained this lifestyle until he finished his fifth year in college.
According to him, living on a Php 20-daily allowance for five years taught him a lot of lessons in life.
“Grabe kase ang tinuro ng Panginoon sa akin gamit ang 20 pesos na yan. Tinuruan akong magtiyaga, mas lalong pahalagahan ang mga bagay bagay na meron ako, at higit sa lahat ay mas lalo akong naturuang mas kumapit at magtiwala sa Panginoon sa lahat ng oras,” Metiam wrote.
-- Mini, The Summit Express
