This group of friends made sure not just to deliver the goods but also achieve their dreams in life!
After juggling work and online classes, they are now reaping the fruits of their handwork. They are now one step closer to becoming members of the police force.
“Kahit na anong baba ng tingin nila sa mga delivery rider, ‘wag ka mag papa-apekto. Patunayan mo na may matapos ka, ipakita mo sa kanila na hindi ka habang buhay doon ka lang. Pakita mo sa kanila na may patutunguhan ‘yung buhay mo,” Grab rider and now college graduate Gilrex Servidad Jr. stressed.
In 2018, Kendrick De Guzman started working as a food delivery rider.
During that time, he tried to convince his friends, Mark Lawrence Rance and Gilrex, to work in the same field.
“First year college po nagwowork po ako pang part-time para po ano may pang pocket money. Tas inaaya ko na po kasi sila nun, hindi pa po sila agad sumama.Kumita lang po ako ng above minimum, okay na po. Kasi po ang pasok namin 7:30 to 12:30, tas pagkatapos po nun mag tatanghalian lang po ako sa bahay then bya-byahe na po ako,” Kendrick said.
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic pushed Mark and Gilrex to finally try the job in April 2020.
“Need pang-tuition, pang tustos sa pang-araw araw. Kasi po may family na rin po kasi ako so ‘yun kaya. ‘Yun din po ang naging nag-inspire sa akin para rin po mag-Grab na rin po,” Mark shared.
But just like other working students, they experienced difficulties along the way.
“So bumabyahe kami ng after class aalis kami sa bahay ng alas dose, ang uwi na rin namin niyan 12. So dalawang oras lang kami nakakatulog niyan. So papasok kami minsan, inaantok kami ganyan. Pero even though na inaantok kami, hindi namin pinapabayaan ‘yung pag-aaral namin. Aabsent lang kami halimbawa mag-eexam ‘yun, medyo nag nagkakapos po kami sa review,” Gilrex recalled.
“Ako po minsan nag-eexam sa habang bumabyahe, naghihintay ng booking,” Mark echoed.
On a good day, they could earn P700-P800. Their salary helped them sustain their needs in school and provide for their families.
“Okay lang po sa kanila kasi nakakatulong din po kasi kami. And sila rin po nung time ng pandemic is medyo nakikita rin po namin na sila medyo nahihirapan po,” Mark said when asked about their parents’ reaction on being a working student.
Mark, Kendrick and Gilrex graduated with a degree in BS Criminology at the Philippine College of Criminology last July 30, 2022.
They are now preparing for the board exam this December and plans to enter the police force afterwards.
“Kahit na nahihirapan man kami, hindi kami susuko kasi para maabot namin ‘yung mga pangarap namin,” Gilrex said
“Gusto rin po namin na ma-encourage ‘yung ibang estudyante na katulad namin na, kahit ganyan, mahirap ‘yung buhay dumaan ‘yung pandemic, is my way pa rin na para maitaguyod ‘yung pag-aaral tsaka pag tratrabaho,” Mark noted.
