By Erika Elaine David and Marjorie Lumapas
His story proves that promises are meant to be fulfilled, and we can always steer our path into the right direction, no matter how long it takes.
Renz Ryan Estrada, 27, from Digos City, Davao del Sur shared a heartwarming Facebook post where he gave the inspiration behind graduating with a degree in Hospitality Management on Thursday, June 22.
In 2012, he took Political Science and then shifted to a Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) vocational course in 2015, before finally pursuing Hospitality Management in 2018.
“June 2018 was when I started going back again to college. Enrolled first year sa new curriculum, I became self-reliant, I found a job, and luckily, nakahanap ako ng mapapasukan kung saan may full scholarship bilang working student,” read his post.
“Mindset ko since day 1, ay yung pinangako ko kay Mama,” translated from his post.
But, the most difficult moment in one’s life is when the least expected thing happens. This is the case for Renz, when he lost his mother to colon cancer.
“It was the most difficult time of my life. Apart from the moment that we didn’t expect her to pass so soon, we were not quite ready to recover from the financial difficulty due to the immense expenses for her hospitalization and medication,” Renz told in an interview with The Philippine STAR.
Marydith Estrada was 54 years old when she succumbed to her illness. Renz described her as a strict but sweet and caring mother to their family.
“Supermom nga tawag ko diyan kasi sa kanya kami umaasa sa bayarin ng tubig, kuryente, at iba pang pangangailangan. Kaya nung nawala po siya, talagang wala na akong ibang paraan kundi humanap ng trabaho, para matupad ko yung promise ko sa kanya,” Renz said.
In his post, Renz recalled that his mother told him to be eager to finish his studies, not knowing that 10 days later, that would be his mother’s last wish for him.
Bittersweet as it was, the passing of Renz’s mother pushed him to fulfill his promise, which was to graduate from college. Three sleepless nights after her death, Renz found a new perspective that sparked something in him––a realization that he could have been able to help his parents out in his 10 years of college.
“Simula nung nawala siya, naisip ko siguro dahil na rin sa disappointment at realization, na nung panahong may financial support mula sa aking mga magulang ay bakit hindi ko inayos ang aking pag-aaral?” Renz lamented in his post.
He became a fastfood chain crew during the early years of his career, which helped him save enough money for enrollment and spend on his daily needs. Currently, he works at the hotel that offered him a full scholarship program when he was a working student.
Renz said that despite the hardships he has gone through in life, he would like to continue the things that his mom wanted for her children to be––to be good in doing their jobs, and to inspire relatives to change their paths, for a better future.
“I would like to take this opportunity to share my journey and impart my aspirations on how to overcome and pursue your dreams even in the most difficult times,” he expressed.
For Renz, the world has been unfair. And if there is one message he could impart to others, it would be to make their loved ones proud, even if they’re not a part of the journey anymore.
“Take a look at your family, cherish every moment with them. It’s not too late to talk to your Mom or Dad, and swear a simple promise,” Renz said.
