16/12/2023
JC's Buko shake .
To God be the glory.Thank You Lord.!
You are the author of everything good
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𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 | 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗺𝗶𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗼𝘀: 𝗗𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗵'𝘀 𝗙𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗕𝘂𝗸𝗼 𝗝𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲
Trees always yield good fruit; if well-handled, all the hard work will pay off, never to be in vain.
Deborah Jane Santiago, a third-year student in the College of Teacher Education, began selling Buko Juice during her second year, in the second semester of the academic year 2022-2023.
The seedling was planted in her heart when she was told, "Pasensya kan, anak ko, haan daka pay lang maikkan allowance mo." (I'm sorry, my dear, we can't give you allowance for now.)
She endured countless moments of agony and slept with tears streaming down her cheeks as her mother was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer.
Feeling helpless, with hope seemingly out of reach, she prayed, "Lord, tulungan mo 'ko," her thoughts clouded with doubt and sadness.
Their bakery and sari-sari store eventually closed as her parents, who managed it, had to stay in Cavite, closer to the hospital in Manila.
𝗡𝗲𝗴𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱
"Suportaram palang bagim ti panagbasam nakkung." (Support your studies for now, my dear.)
Deborah didn't complain about her circumstances; instead, she walked with pride, Styrofoam cups of Buko juice in hand.
𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆
"Ate, pabili po, isa lang."
Deborah was filled with joy as she couldn't believe that her fructiferous buko juice venture was thriving. "Tulungan ka na namin," they said.
Smiling widely, none knew how much they filled her with hope. She thanked God for giving her the best gift, which was them. Her gaze met the clouds as she looked up, and she felt weighed down, far removed from her past.
She now felt the melodious sanctuary as they all walked together to sell her Buko juice. She thought about the happiness of being with them; they made her feel at home.
She found solace amid the chaos and uncertainty of life, realizing that life had a purpose. The warmth of the sun's rays brushed away the uncertainty she once felt.
𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻
"Nagrigat, ngem agturpos nak." (It is hard, but I will graduate.)
Deborah had been overwhelmed by her emotions, believing that this unfortunate chapter was her lowest point. She longed for brighter days, not sorrowful evenings.
When she learned that her parents had decided not to support her for the meantime, she felt as if the world had crumbled, thinking it was the end.
Despite her hesitations and ups and downs, Deborah persevered. She faced sadness, hopelessness, exhaustion, and responsibility. But none of these could deter her; they were just the start of her growth.
Trees never remain the same. Even if the progress is small, at least, there is still progress. Everyone may face their own storms, but there are also moments of sunshine and rainbows.
Deborah is proud and not ashamed of who she is or what she does. She is a serendipity of her future, cherishing every moment, knowing she will succeed.
"Raba." (Means guide in Persian.)
God will guide her path.
Article by Kriszelle Anne Gonzales, Jean Cyrill Asuncion
Photo by John Austin Viloria
