MANILA, Philippines – An orphaned student shares the struggles he experienced and how he managed to overcome those challenges to graduate with honors. His story would go viral, with netizens sharing words of encouragement for him to never give up…
Rodriguez Ryan Requiez and his brother, Charlston, lost both of their parents. Instead of finding help from relatives, the two figured in legal battles and got ridiculed by their own relatives. At a young age, the brothers learned to live on their own, finding help in kind people who were not even related to them at all.
“Senior High School had been such a grueling phase for me. Eto yung panahon na halos isa o dalawang oras nalang yung tulog ko. Kung minsan, papasok ako sa paaralan na walang tulog. Tamang kape lang, pampabuhay ng diwa. This was the time when my faith was tested, strength was exhausted and my abilities were put to full trial. I didn't know if I should dream on, or if my story was already concluded,” Ryan wrote in a heartbreaking yet inspiring post on Facebook.
He shared how he went to school with an empty stomach, still feeling drowsy because he only managed to get an hour or two of sleep as he juggled work with school and worried about his life. There were times when he would make projects and papers for his classmates so they would give him money or lend him a laptop so he can also work on his assignments.
“Napakahirap mag-aral kapag maraming problema sa bahay. Napakahirap mag-aral habang nag tatrabaho. Napakahirap kung sariling kapamilya ang nagsasabing wala kang mararating. Minsan, gusto ko nalang maging katulad ng mga kaklase ko na yung iniintindi nalang ay pumasok sa eskwelahan at mag-aral,” he lamented, but he never gave up.
“School became my break from life's tribulations. Sa paaralan nakakalimutan ko yung mga demands ng buhay at doon ko nararamdaman na normal ako. It became my refuge when I was tired of battling against life's rigors at home. At a young age, I was fighting an unusual battle that other students in my year level don't even have an idea about.”
But through the hardships and hurt he experienced from his relatives, Ryan found help in his kind teachers, classmates, and people who simply wanted to help without asking for anything in return. They bought his school supplies, provided him with uniforms and shoes, and gave him encouragement to go on. Through these people, Ryan was able to hold on to his dreams and graduate with flying colors, sporting over a dozen medals around his neck!
He still has a long way to go before he can fulfill his dreams, but this young man found the courage to live and reach for those dreams. He added:
“To you who are reading this, if you are tired and broken, this is for you. If you are doubtful and helpless, this is for you. Kapag feeling mo wala kang kakampi at walang nakakaintindi sa pinagdaraanan mo ngayong hirap, this is for you. Kapag nararamdaman mong hindi mo na kayang lumaban pa, this is for you. To orphans, abused and neglected children, and hopeless youths: let's always remember that God has a greater purpose for our pain.
I know life remains uncertain. I still have so many journeys to take, tears to cry, and hurdles to overcome. But seeing this picture and knowing the unspoken tribulations behind it, I get reminded of God's promise of a better life. In His time. In His will. In His way.
Para sa ating mga nahihirapan pero patuloy na nangangarap, TULOY ANG LABAN!”
Congratulations, Ryan! We pray for your continued positive outlook in life and that you’ll truly find success in life…
— Joy Adalia, The Summit Express
Rodriguez Ryan Requiez and his brother, Charlston, lost both of their parents. Instead of finding help from relatives, the two figured in legal battles and got ridiculed by their own relatives. At a young age, the brothers learned to live on their own, finding help in kind people who were not even related to them at all.
“Senior High School had been such a grueling phase for me. Eto yung panahon na halos isa o dalawang oras nalang yung tulog ko. Kung minsan, papasok ako sa paaralan na walang tulog. Tamang kape lang, pampabuhay ng diwa. This was the time when my faith was tested, strength was exhausted and my abilities were put to full trial. I didn't know if I should dream on, or if my story was already concluded,” Ryan wrote in a heartbreaking yet inspiring post on Facebook.
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| Photo credit: Rodriguez Ryan Requiez / Facebook |
He shared how he went to school with an empty stomach, still feeling drowsy because he only managed to get an hour or two of sleep as he juggled work with school and worried about his life. There were times when he would make projects and papers for his classmates so they would give him money or lend him a laptop so he can also work on his assignments.
“Napakahirap mag-aral kapag maraming problema sa bahay. Napakahirap mag-aral habang nag tatrabaho. Napakahirap kung sariling kapamilya ang nagsasabing wala kang mararating. Minsan, gusto ko nalang maging katulad ng mga kaklase ko na yung iniintindi nalang ay pumasok sa eskwelahan at mag-aral,” he lamented, but he never gave up.
“School became my break from life's tribulations. Sa paaralan nakakalimutan ko yung mga demands ng buhay at doon ko nararamdaman na normal ako. It became my refuge when I was tired of battling against life's rigors at home. At a young age, I was fighting an unusual battle that other students in my year level don't even have an idea about.”
 |
| Photo credit: Rodriguez Ryan Requiez / Facebook |
But through the hardships and hurt he experienced from his relatives, Ryan found help in his kind teachers, classmates, and people who simply wanted to help without asking for anything in return. They bought his school supplies, provided him with uniforms and shoes, and gave him encouragement to go on. Through these people, Ryan was able to hold on to his dreams and graduate with flying colors, sporting over a dozen medals around his neck!
He still has a long way to go before he can fulfill his dreams, but this young man found the courage to live and reach for those dreams. He added:
 |
| Photo credit: Rodriguez Ryan Requiez / Facebook |
“To you who are reading this, if you are tired and broken, this is for you. If you are doubtful and helpless, this is for you. Kapag feeling mo wala kang kakampi at walang nakakaintindi sa pinagdaraanan mo ngayong hirap, this is for you. Kapag nararamdaman mong hindi mo na kayang lumaban pa, this is for you. To orphans, abused and neglected children, and hopeless youths: let's always remember that God has a greater purpose for our pain.
I know life remains uncertain. I still have so many journeys to take, tears to cry, and hurdles to overcome. But seeing this picture and knowing the unspoken tribulations behind it, I get reminded of God's promise of a better life. In His time. In His will. In His way.
Para sa ating mga nahihirapan pero patuloy na nangangarap, TULOY ANG LABAN!”
Congratulations, Ryan! We pray for your continued positive outlook in life and that you’ll truly find success in life…
— Joy Adalia, The Summit Express
