Meet Jocelyn, the hero of our Kwentong Investee Episode 3.
Si Jocelyn ay isang Nursing graduate mula sa Batangas State University. Bago mapunta sa landas ng pagiging isang Nurse, siya ay nag-aral muna ng Entrepreneurship for two years. Even though shifting would revert her to being a Freshman, pinili pa rin ni Jocelyn na i-pursue ang kanyang passion sa kabila ng mga nagsasabi na mahirap maging isang nurse.
“Noon pa man, gusto ko na talaga mag-Nursing. Pero ang sabi ng iba, walang pera doon and mahirap mabuhay. Pero hindi ko talaga gusto ang business… so noong pumayag sina mama, nagshift agad ako.”
Bilang solong anak, sa pakikipaglaro sa kanyang mga manika nadiscover ni Jocelyn ang passion nya sa pagtulong sa kapwa.
Some would think she led a comfortable life pero gaya ng marami, siya ay nakaranas din ng maraming pagsubok – lalo na noong magsimula ang pandemic. Her mom used to manage a small plant business pero nang dumami ang competitors during pandemic, napilitan siya na magsara na lamang at magretire. Ang tatay nya na isang office admin ay nahirapan din dahil sa no work, no pay setup.
“Before pandemic, nakakabayad pa kami ng kuryente. Ngayon umaabot ng tatlo or apat na buwan. Minsan nagkaka-disconnection notice na kami.”
Para makatulong sa pamilya, pinasok ni Jocelyn ang online business. Last June 2020, nagsimula siya magbenta ng mga damit at decorated pots na nakatulong sa kanilang araw-araw na gastusin.
Subalit muling sinubok sina Jocelyn nang ma-involve sa isang car accident ang kanyang nanay last September. Ang nangyaring ito ang mas nagtulak sa kanya na magpursigi sa kanyang propesyon.
“Ayaw na ayaw ko na ulit mangyari yung tatanggihan kami ng mga ospital dahil wala kaming pera na pambayad sa kanila kahit kailangan namin ng medical intervention. Hindi ako pwedeng tumandang mahirap dahil kawawa sina mama.”
Si Jocelyn ang una sa kanyang pamilya na nakapagtapos sa kolehiyo at ngayon ay naka-focus na sa paghahanda sa kanyang Nursing Licensure Exam (NLE) this November 21-22. When asked kung ano ang nilu-look forward nya pag naging registered nurse, ito ang kanyang sagot:
“Gusto ko maging magaling na nurse. Ang sarap kasi sa feeling nung maalagaan ka. Kahit simpleng ‘Good evening, ma’am. Kuha lang po akong BP.’ Gusto ko rin magtrabaho dito dahil naaawa ako sa healthcare ng Pinas. Super super kawawa. Ang hirap pala talaga pag wala kang pera.
Gusto ko na rin mabayaran lahat ng utang namin. Gusto kong makaipon. Gusto kong ipaayos yung bahay or mailipat sina mama sa ibang lugar, yung maging komportable sila.”
Ito ang kanyang advice sa mga estudyante, Nursing man o hindi, na dumadaan sa pagsubok ng buhay:
“Okay lang magalit. Okay lang umiyak. Basta babangon ka. Para kanino ka bumabangon? Yun ang lagi kong iniisip. Sina mama, sila yung reason kung bakit ako bumabangon. Kasi sila, hindi sila napagod bumangon for me.”
Sa mga fellow Nursing graduates ni Jocelyn na magtetake din ng licensure exam this month, ito ang kanyang inspiring na mensahe:
“Sa lahat ng mga future nurses, see you there! Isipin nyo rin kung para kanino kayo bumabangon. Kasi pag naalala nyo ito, hindi kayo panghihinaan ng loob. Wag mapapagod dahil lahat tayo ay may kanya-kanyang time, may kanya-kanyang moment. Kung hindi para sa’yo ang lisensya, ipaglaban mo.”
Ito si Jocelyn, isa sa aming mga Investees – isang modern-day Bayani!
Meet Avie, the hero of our Kwentong Investee Ep. 2
Si Avie ay isang graduating Accountancy student sa Our Lady of Fatima University, Quezon City. Sa kabila ng challenging na course, masaya siyang mabigyan ng pagkakataon upang maglingkod bilang Presidente ng Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA) ng kanilang school.
It is not hard to see why people usually think of Avie as an achiever. All set na sana siya sa kanyang final year, ngunit nangyari ang pandemic…
Around 300,000 OFWs ang naapektuhan ang trabaho last year. Isa dito ang tatay ni Avie.
“Nagtatrabaho po si papa as a fisherman sa isang fishing vessel sa ibang bansa. Nung nagstart po yung pandemic, umuwi po siya… Kaso nahirapan na po syang makabalik…”
Bukod dito, na-stroke din ang nanay ni Avie. Maliban sa pang-aral niya at ng kanyang nakababatang kapatid, nagkaroon ng additional gastos ang pamilya niya sa continuous medication and hospital check-ups.
Avie was suddenly confronted with the challenge of supporting her family.
“Nakakatakot po at nakakakaba, pero ayaw ko pong mahinto sa pag-aaral and need ko rin po matulungan sina papa…”
Dahil dito, pinilit niyang lumaban. Last June, nagsimulang magtrabaho si Avie as a customer service representative kahit walang work experience. Kahit kasabay nito ang kanyang school responsibilities, nagawang matapos ni Avie ang kanyang thesis defense. Bukod dito, nakapag-conduct ang JPIA OLFU-QC ng isang virtual Accountancy review event sa halos 300 students nitong July.
Sa kanyang pagsusumikap, hindi lamang natustusan ni Avie ang pang-aral nilang magkapatid, nakatulong din sya sa mga gastusin sa kanilang bahay at ospital.
“Mahirap po at nakakapagod ang magwork habang nag-aaral pero at least na-continue ko po ang pag-aaral ko at nakakatulong na rin po ako sa mga gastos sa bahay.”
Ayon sa kanya, ito ang kanyang pangarap na syang nagbibigay ng lakas sa kanya para lumaban:
“Gusto ko na po makatapos para hindi na kailanganin umalis ni papa at masamahan nya si mama. Also, yung three letters po talaga, ate – CPA… Tiis lang po and hard work… then trust the process. Soon po, maaabot ko rin yun.”
Ito si Avie, isa sa aming mga Investees – isang modern-day Bayani!
Kilalanin natin si “Mai”, ang bida sa ating unang Kwentong Investee.
Sinong mag-aakala na sa kabila ng kanyang ngiti at energy ay isang estudyante na dumadaan din sa iba’t ibang pagsubok?
Nagsimula ang problema ng pamilya ni Mai dahil sa epekto ng pandemic sa negosyo ng kanyang mga magulang.
“Papa ko po kasi before may business… making yung box for souvenirs para po sa weddings. But noong nagstart po ang pandemic, natigil ‘yung mga events, so nawala ang business niya.”
Dahil dito, muntik nang tumigil si Mai sa kanyang pag-aaral. During that time, Mai’s already in her 3rd year in college. Gustung-gusto nyang ipagpatuloy ang kanyang pag-aaral, ngunit dalawang kapatid niya pa ang nag-aaral din. Ito ang nagtulak kay Mai upang maghanap ng iba’t ibang paraan para makatulong sa kanyang pamilya.
Ngayong taon, nagsimula si Mai maging regular streamer sa Kumu at content creator sa Tiktok. Ito ang nagsilbing source ng extra financial support para sa kanyang pag-aaral at iba pang pangangailangan ng kanyang pamilya.
Dahil sa paggamit ng kanyang talento sa hosting at performing, malaki ang naitutulong ni Mai sa gastusin nila sa bahay. Higit sa lahat, malapit na niyang maabot ang kanyang pangarap na maka-graduate.
“45 units na lang, Ate, tapos na ako!”
Nakwento rin ni Mai kung ano ang kanyang main motivation para magpatuloy lumaban sa kabila ng mga problema na dumarating:
“Ang dami po talagang tao na gusto makapag-aral, hindi lang po kinakaya ng finances.”
[Ito ang kanyang payo] “Don’t stop dreaming. Hindi porke’t walang pera ay hindi na kakayanin mag-aral. Gagawa tayo ng paraan para makatapos tayo kasi once na makatapos tayo, babalik din lahat ng pinaghirapan natin.”
Ito si Mai, isa sa aming mga Investees – isang modern day Bayani!
Kelvin “Bumbay” Ramos became part of the Investee Community in June 2019 when he applied for an InvestEd Student Success Loan to finance his review expenses for the 2019 Radiologic Technologist (RadTech) Board Exam.
On September of that same year, Kelvin’s years of hard work paid off and he achieved his lifelong dream to be part of the healthcare industry. Little did he know that 6 months into his new job, a pandemic would break out and change the world we know and live in.
This is Kelvin’s story and his journey as a student, an Investee and a healthcare professional serving in the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kelvin’s childhood dream was to become a medical doctor. However, Kelvin shares that he realized early on that it was financially impractical for him to go to medical school. He grew up in a humble home with eight siblings in the small yet bustling city of Tarlac in Tarlac province—and for Kelvin, surviving and ensuring that all his siblings are able to complete school was more than enough reason for him to give way on his dream to become a doctor.
Nevertheless, Kelvin still knew that he wanted to work in the healthcare industry; especially when at the age of 14, he experienced a life-changing moment that deepened his connection to the healthcare profession, when one of his older sisters died of pneumonia.
However, life doesn’t make it any easier for Kelvin to achieve his dream, even after his sister’s death. It increasingly became harder for Kelvin’s family to keep up with their finances through the years; which pushed Kelvin to stop school for six (6) years to be able to contribute to their household income.
He fondly shares that, even if it was one of the most difficult moments of his life, he still thinks of it as an overall great learning experience which built his backbone as a person. He had ventured into multiple odd jobs—in factories, small businesses, hair and make-up gigs, hosting and tutoring—everything to help his family.
At that time though, it seemed like Kelvin’s dream to become a healthcare professional was so far away. Six (6) years is a long time and most people would have let go and moved on to pursue other careers, but Kelvin continued to persevere.
Through support from his family and his own grit, Kelvin was able to go back to school and complete his degree (with honors) at the age of 29. Even when most of his peers were either starting a family, getting promoted or starting their own businesses, Kelvin felt that there was nothing more important than completing his education and pursuing excellence in his dream job of working within the healthcare system.
All his sacrifices eventually bore fruit when he was able to pass the 2019 Radiologic Technologist Board Exam shortly after graduation and was able to secure employment in a private hospital by September 2019.
When Kelvin started his job, he felt like he was finally able to breathe a little bit easier and enjoy the fruits of his labor. However, this time was cut short when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in March 2020—only 6 months into Kelvin’s work in the hospital.
No one saw it coming po. Parang I was still enjoying my job. Although I already had jobs before, I felt like this was my moment to do something that I liked and wanted to excel and grow in. Then all of a sudden COVID-19 hit and mixed emotions po talaga yung naramdaman ko. Hindi ko maintindihan, nakaka-overwhelm.
(No one saw it coming. I was still enjoying my job. Although I already had jobs before, I felt like this was my moment to do something that I liked and wanted to excel and grow in. Then all of a sudden COVID-19 hit and mixed emotions I really felt. It was hard to understand what was happening and I felt overwhelmed.)
When the height of the second wave of COVID-19 infections in the Philippines broke out in March, Kelvin was initially scared and severely stressed out. He experienced having to walk to the hospital, even though it was a short distance, because of the lack of transportation due to the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) guidelines. He was also constantly getting anxious of contracting the virus and being a carrier.
However, even if it was hard to get used to this new normal at first, for Kelvin, the experience of serving in the frontlines of this pandemic has made his pursuit of the healthcare profession worth it and his job even more fulfilling.
We were all panicked, stressed, anxious–pero po it was fulfilling kasi kahit neophyte palang ako kumbaga sa hospital industry, ‘eto yung chosen profession ko, ‘eto yung sinumpaan ko—kaya I will do it. Regardless kung may COVID-19 or wala—I will do it and I will do it well. ‘Eto yung profession ko. ‘Eto yung pinili ko. ‘Eto ako. Ito kasi yung magiging pride ko para sa sarili ko.
(We were all panicked, stressed, anxious – but it was fulfilling because even though I was just a neophyte in the hospital industry, ‘this is my chosen profession,’ this is what I swore to do — so I will do it. Regardless if there is COVID-19 or not — I will do it and I will do it well. ‘This is my profession. ‘This is the one I chose. ‘Here I am. This will be my pride for myself.)
Kelvin feels fortunate that the hospital he works in has a designated quarantine space subsidized for their frontliners. However, he shares his hope for healthcare to be a priority in our country’s development because it was evident that when the pandemic first broke out, we were not prepared.
Nakakataba ng puso matawag na frontliner because of all the sacrifices of the medical professionals. Pero dati naman hindi siya masyadong pinapansin—yung effect niya sa economy and yung effect niya sa bansa natin as a whole. What if mangyari sa atin yung sa Italy, sa Europe—they’re a developed country and yet nahihirapan sila. So how about us? How about us na hindi naman masyadong developed ang ating healthcare system compared to those countries?
(It is very heart warming to be called a frontliner because of all the sacrifices of medical professionals. But in the past, the medical profession was not paid much attention — its effect on the economy and its effect on our country as a whole. What if what happened in Italy, in Europe, will also happen to us? They’re a developed country and yet they are struggling. So how about us? How about us that our healthcare system is not very developed compared to those countries?)
Kelvin further calls for people to push for better healthcare from our government and appreciate our health workers more even after the pandemic.
Kelvin remembers the day he got the call that he was eligible for an InvestEd success loan.
At first, he was doubtful whether InvestEd was a legitimate company and whether the student loan was a scam. But he was later on convinced that InvestEd and its student success program was perfect for his coaching and financing needs.
Actually, with all honesty, I feel like I found the right student loan with InvestEd. ‘Nung una doubtful ako, hindi ko inexpect na ganito pala siya, for real. Ang dami kasi nag-kalat na scam. ‘Nung una, parang ayoko maniwala; then tumawag sakin and tuloy tuloy na and totoo pala siya.
(Actually, with all honesty, I feel like I found the right student loan with InvestEd. ‘At first I was doubtful, I did not expect him to be like this, for real. The number is a scam. ‘At first, I didn’t seem to believe it; then call me and he will continue and he will be true.)
When Kelvin became part of the Investee Success Program, he was partnered with one of InvestEd’s student coaches. Because of this, Kelvin believes that InvestEd has become an important player in his journey towards success. He shares:
I will be forever grateful to InvestEd for what I have become now. Sa totoo lang, mas stable na ako at ang pamilya ko ngayon at mas komportable. I feel at ease with myslef because I am providing for my family and I’m able to save for my future. Balak ko nga po sana this December is 6 digits sa savings account ko. All of this happened because of InvestEd. Kelvin shyly admits.
(I will be forever grateful to InvestEd for what I have become now. Honestly, me and my family are more stable now and more comfortable. I feel at ease with myself because I am providing for my family and I’m able to save for my future. I was really targetting to hit 6 digits in my savings account this December. All of this happened because of InvestEd)
When asked to explain his success journey with InvestEd, Kelvin likens InvestEd as part of his roots which enabled his branches to grow:
Because of InvestEd, I was able to fund my review and pass the boards. And because I passed the boards, I was able to get a job. Parang step by step support and prinovide sa akin towards success. Yun ang pinaka-reason why InvestEd is part of my roots and why my branches grew.
(Because of InvestEd, I was able to fund my review and pass the boards. And because I passed the boards, I was able to get a job. It was like a step by step support system that guided me towards success. That is the main reason why InvestEd is part of my roots and why my branches grew.)
After passing the Radiologic Technologist Board Exam, Kelvin was employed on September 2019 at the Central Luzon Doctor’s Hospital in Tarlac City, Tarlac, which is one of the designted hospitals with COVID-19 wards in the city. Kelvin currently works there as a Radiologic Technologist and conducts X-Ray imaging for suspected COVID-19 patients.
Kelvin’s story is proof that indeed, no dream is out of reach.
Apply for a student loan with InvestEd and be part of InvestEd’s Student Success Program. Learn more at https://invested.ph For direct inquiries, you may email us at info@invested.ph
Arianne Paralisan began her journey with InvestEd in August 2019 while she was reviewing and preparing for the 2019 Bar Examinations.
A Cebu City local and a quintessential homegrown Cebuana, Arianne found herself looking for financing options in August 2019 as she mobilized a plan to temporarily leave her comfort zone in Cebu and live in Manila for 2 months to mentally, emotionally and physically prepare for the highly competitive Bar examinations and pursue her dream of becoming a lawyer.
“I almost quit law school”
“Going into 2nd year in law school, I almost quit because I felt obligated to work and support my family.”, Arianne admits.
At that time, Arianne’s younger sister was set to enter college; and her mother, a government employee at the provincial office, was making ends meet while sending two daughters to university.
As the eldest daughter, Arianne understood what was expected of her. She was working as an HR officer at a local hotel while studying law. During that time, however, Arianne was ready to quit on her dream and work full-time to help her mom with their family expenses and ensure that her sister is able to go to college.
However, blessings come in mysterious ways for Arianne and her family. Unexpectedly, her ninang (godmother) who was also a lawyer and believed in Arianne’s dream, offered to completely finance Arianne’s education for the remainder of her years in law school.
Arianne took that moment in her life as a sign and motivation to pursue her goal of becoming a lawyer. With a new found strength in knowing that there were people who believed she can make it, she poured her time and talent to be the best student she can be and paved the way to become the lawyer she is today. “Every semester thereafter, every subject, every major exam, no matter how difficult and draining, became less of a burden and more of a blessing”, Arianne fondly remembers.
After the short-lived victory of graduating from law school, Arianne found herself in another crossroads as she prepared for the biggest challenge of her entire journey in becoming a lawyer — the Bar exams.
In the Philippines, Bar exams can only be taken in Metro Manila, which is why it is customary for law graduates from provinces to come to the city every year, during bar season (September — November), to acclimate themselves in the area and find their way through the 4-week long exams in the bustling city jungle.
Arianne was mulling over her financing options as she and her batch-mates roll a plan to live in Manila for two months during the Bar season. Since funds were limited and living in Manila would be more expensive, Arianne tirelessly searched for alternative ways to fund her living expenses and support her Bar review studies. Luckily, through the help of family friends, Arianne was able to find InvestEd and apply for a student loan. She thought that a student loan was perfect for her situation as she wanted to do her own part in funding her education and unburden her family of further financing her dream of being a lawyer.
“Mama is a government employee–yung pay niya is not much and I believe she has exhausted her means to support us. ‘Yung mga relatives namin, feeling ko sobra sobra na ang tulong. I didn’t want to bother anyone anymore kasi alam kona hindi rin naman maluwag ang financial situation nila. I really wanted to find another way to support myself kahit man lang sa living expenses ko in Manila during the review.”, Arianne shared
After going through the InvestEd loan application process and after receiving her disbursement, Arianne was able to fund her move to Manila and focus on what matters most — studying and preparing for the exam of a lifetime.
“I can’t really express how I feel right now but as I Iook back, if there’s one thing na nanginigbabaw — it’s gratitude.”, says Arianne.
Arianne never had a negative disposition on the high-stress and high-pressure environment of law school and law practice. She always had a grateful outlook on every experience in school and work because she felt extremely blessed to be there, given everything she had gone through and fought for to become a lawyer.
Currently, Arianne is working with the Judiciary and plans on pursuing a career in the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO). Arianne admits that it has always been her dream to become a corporate lawyer. However, after having worked for months in the judiciary, she had a complete change of heart and has found her true calling in social lawyering as she experienced handling cases where she met different types of people who most needed legal aid but could not afford private lawyers. If the situation permits, she hopes to be a judge or a prosecutor some day.
We asked Arianne what tips she has for students especially during this time of crisis, she shares:
“Especially in this time of health crisis, even if the situation makes it hard to be grateful, still choose to be grateful. Still, there are many things and numerous people to be thankful for. It is only when you have this sense of gratitude that you feel contented and carry on. This is what got me through law school and the Bar exams. This feeling of gratitude has calmed my senses that I get to sleep soundly every night and wake up motivated each morning. This, on top of people who never ceased to support and believe in me and pray for me.”
Arianne further shares how InvestEd has impacted her life and tells her fellow Investees to never stop pursuing their dreams:
“…I say thanks to the InvestEd Team for helping not only me, but also the many Investees who are given a chance to pursue their goals. This initiative and advocacy is truly commendable and I look forward to taking part therein. To the Investees, do it for yourself and for the people who believe you can make it big. I say you will. Make them proud.”
InvestEd is the only student loan company in the Philippines that provides financial assistance and a student success program that helps student borrowers achieve success in their chosen careers. InvestEd believes that every student has the potential to succeed which is its primary reason for believing that “No dream is out of reach”. InvestEd knows the struggles of students everywhere and offers affordable and accessible education support loans to help young people succeed.
Be a part of InvestEd’s social mission and help many more students like Arianne Paralisan turn their dreams into a reality!
Visit https://invested.ph/investing#why-invested to learn more about how you can invest in the education of young Filipinos through the award-winning InvestEd student loan program. For inquiries, please feel free to reach us at info@invested.ph.
In 2018, Mariz Lacanilao, a student in her last semester of college, was eager to get a job after 10 long years of studying Chemical Engineering in UP Los Baños. She applied for a loan from InvestEd during this time to help ease the financial burden of her family.
Mariz is a smart, talented and humble engineer from Quezon City. When she became part of the Investee Success Program through applying for an InvestEd education loan in 2018, she was in her last semester of college, eager to help her family and preparing for whatever opportunities await her after college.
She felt that it was time for her to contribute to her family’s expenses, having been financially supported by her parents (her father, a bus conductor; and her mother, a housewife) the past ten years as she completed an engineering degree in one of the most competitive universities in the country. Mariz was determined to ease her family’s expenses on her education so her brother, who (in her words) was unlike her since he was not “delayed” [in completing his course], would also be able to graduate that same year.
Scrolling through Facebook one day, Mariz saw InvestEd and thought that it was the perfect opportunity to help her family. She applied for a loan, got accepted and became part of the Investee Success Program. During this time, Mariz participated in a workshop by InvestEd on career success and financial literacy which helped her strategize on how to write strong resumés, navigate job interviews and properly budget her expenses as she goes through job hunting.
As she completed her final semester, Mariz sent out resumés and rolled out a plan to be able to get employed before graduation, motivated by what she learned in the Investee Success Program. Her hard work paid off as she was able to land a job a month before graduation and just five (5) days into her job search, in an International Manufacturing Firm which supplied local semiconductors and exported parts for cars, phones, et al in the Asia Pacific Region.
Mariz felt that her future was at the tip of her fingers and that timing was finally on her side. She recalls being amazed at how everything aligned for her when she joined the Investee Success Program — “Yung success program palang ang dami na naitulong sa akin. Mas thankful ako doon kaysa sa [sic] monetary assistance, sa totoo lang. Kagaya yung financial planning, wala kasi sa school ‘yun, kaya nakatulong siya sa akin ngayon.”, Mariz admits shyly.
As many graduating college students in the country now face unprecedented delays in their studies/graduation and uncertainty in future employment, we asked Mariz what advice she can share to students who are experiencing anxiety due to educational and financial disruptions stemming from the current COVID-19 crisis, she shared “Never give up. Maniwala sa sarili. Pero kung hindi ka talaga meant to graduate ngayon, it doesn’t mean na wala ka nang options. Pwede ka muna magtrabaho, mag-gain ng experience, tapos tapusin mo ‘pag ok na [sic] ang sitwasyon.”