This couple from Sulu proved that with hard work and dedication, nothing is impossible.
After rendering their respective duties every day, Reyner and Nurhima Bahulluk, both security guards, would start reviewing for the Licensure Exam for Teachers.
“Sobrang hirap po ng setup namin. ‘Yung preparation sobrang hirap. ‘Yung time na nagpreprepare lahat siguro ng paraan ginawa ko na– sulat sa papel, magsulat sa pader na rin at ‘yung mga notes, gumagawa ako ng mga notes sa papel, tapos binabasa ko ‘yon sa oras ng trabaho. Kahit nakatayo, kahit makita ko lang doon sa table ko, binabasa basa ko tinatandaan ko ‘yung mga importante,” Reyner recalled.
“Pagkauwi ko sa trabaho, siya ay taga basa ng reviewer. Ako, pinapakinggan ko lang ‘yung binabasa niya. Iniintindi ko lang kasi katawan ko is totally bagsak talaga, syempre alam mo sa aming mga security guard, tayo lang kami,” he added.
Reyner passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers this year, while his wife, Nurhima passed on her second try in 2019.
Reyner said that it took him six attempts to achieve this milestone. Despite his repeated failed attempts to pass the board, Reyner did not give up for his family’s future.
Reyner currently works in Zamboanga City while his family stays in Sulu. “Isa sa mga paraan na nakikita ko na magiging buo na kami ng pamilya ko, di na kami maghihiwalay.”
Reyner admitted that they received several discriminations just because they are Muslims and working as a security guard.
“Kami mga muslim najujudge na agad. Ang liit ng tingin ng iba sa amin. Parang sa tingin nila parang patapon na ba talaga? Security guard na lang. Sabi ko na lang sa asawa ko, ‘wag mo na lang [pansinin]. Positive na lang. Ito na lang ang isipin natin, sila ang may problema,” he shared.
When Nurhima passed the board exam on her second try, Reyner said he felt proud of her and gave them hope for a better future.
“Tuwang-tuwa kami sabi ko sa asawa ko parang may mapipint na sa atin, may chance na tayo maka ahon. Di ako masyado pinanghinaan ng loob nung nakita ko wala ‘yung aking pangalan. Sabi ko mahal mag exam ako uli,” Reyner shared.
In 2015, Reyner graduated from Lapak National School of Fisheries in Sulu with a bachelor’s degree in fishery education.
He married Nurhima months before his graduation. He also helped his wife to finish her degree in elementary education.
After passing the board exam, Nurhima resigned as a security guard to become a volunteer teacher in Sulu.
Meanwhile, Reyner continues to work as a security guard at a pawnshop while waiting for the oath-taking ceremony. He also plans to return to Sulu and teach secondary education.
“Unang-una gusto ko tulungan yung mga kabataan doon sa probinsya namin. I-educate sila mas maganda pa sa mga naranasan nilang edukasyon. Para sabi ko makisabay sila, hindi sila makilala bilang isang muslim o terorista man sa social media. Gusto ko rin maipakita nila na hindi lahat ng mga Muslim ay mga masasama or mga Abu Sayaf,” he noted.
“Sa mga katulad ko lalong lalo na sa sa mga security guard, alam nila gaano kahirap ang maging security guard. Lalong lalo na di tayo mataas sa paningin nila. Pero basta alam natin nasa tama tayo, alam natin ang ginagawa natin, respeto pa rin sa kanila para irespeto din nila tayo. At tyaka wag basta-basta susuko, lahat may paraan basta pursige at syempre wag kalimutan magdasal sa Panginoon,” Reyner said when asked about his message to the public.
