From being a vinegar vendor to constructing high-rise buildings, this Pinoy dad has an inspiring story to tell.
Being born into a poor family in a barrio in Pampanga and with parents who didn’t finish their studies, netizen Randall Sicat’s father had to work hard at a young age just to help make ends meet. But his resiliency got him through tough times even if it meant juggling his schooling and selling vinegar every day.
“Bata pa lamang siya ay natuto na siya kung paano magnegosyo at magtinda. Ang pinaka naging negosyo niya habang siya ay nasa elementarya pa lamang hanggang sa makapagtapos ng kolehiyo ay ang pagtitinda ng suka (He was young when he learned how to earn his keep. He primarily sold vinegar from elementary to college),” Randall shared with us about his father’s humble beginnings.
“Ipinagsasabay niya ang kanyang pag-aaral habang nagtutulak ng kariton sa buong San Fernando, Angeles, at Mexico. Galon galon na Suka ang kanyang tinitinda at kilo kilometro ang binabaybay niya araw-araw para maitinda ang lahat ng ito. Ang nalilikom niyang pera ay kanyang pinang-papaaral sa kanyang sarili at binibigay niya sa kanyang mga magulang at mga kapatid.”
(“He studied and pushed carts all over San Fernando, Angeles, and Mexico at the same time. He would sell gallons of vinegar and walk kilometers every day just to sell them all. What he earned he’d spend on his tuition and would give the rest to his parents and siblings.”)
He recounted how his father spent seven years in Holy Angel University where he finished with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering because of this side job. At one point, Randall told us, his father started having doubts about finishing school, but his determination to succeed pushed him to continue.
“Noong mga panahong ito siya rin ay nagdududa kung ipagpapatuloy niya pa ba ang pag-aaral sapagkat sa kanyang isip ay mas malaki pa ang kanyang kinikita sa pagtitinda ng suka. Pero mas pinili niyang ipag-patuloy ang pag-aaral dahil mas nais niyang mas maging matagumpay,” Randall said.
(“At the time, he wondered if he should continue his studies, considering that he earned enough just selling vinegar. But he chose to keep going because he wanted nothing more than to achieve his goals.”)
In the end, he was able to graduate and pass the board exam, becoming the very first licensed civil engineer of his barrio!
It was only after two years of shaping his career as an engineer that he decided to start his own construction company. No matter how little he had, he persevered in order to give the new family that he was starting with his wife a much more comfortable life than what he experienced growing up. Now, he has completed over 1,000 projects for his many loyal clients, including buildings, celebrity homes, malls, hospitals, schools, popular food establishments, and many more.
“Dati nilalakbay niya buong Pampanga para magtrabaho at magtulak ng kariton pero ngayon nakakapagbakasyon na siya sa ibang bansa. Dati kariton lang tinutulak niya, ngayon kotse na ang kanyang minamaneho,” Randall added. “Pero syempre ang lahat ng ito ay hindi mangyayari kung hindi tinanggap ng papa ko si Hesus bilang kanyang Diyos, Hari, at Tagapagligtas.”
“Maiinspire po kayo ng sobra!”
(“Before, he would walk all around Pampanga just to work and push carts; but now, he gets to travel around the world. Before, he would only push carts; now, he drives cars. But of course, all this wouldn’t have been possible if he did not have faith in God.
May you all be inspired by his story!”)
(ALSO READ: INSPIRING: Student Conquers Struggles of Having a Mental Disorder, Graduates with Honors)
Do you have your own inspiring story to share? Send us a message!
Do you have a story for the WhenInManila.com Team? Email us at story.wheninmanila@gmail.com or send us a direct message at WhenInManila.com Facebook Page. Interact with the team and join the WhenInManila.com Community at WIM Squad! We also share our stories on Viber, join us!
