TBK in tears

 

        Jhoanna May Campos- My first scholar to graduate

My first scholar just graduated! I was in pieces. It was such a proud moment. For those who do not know the story I met Jhoanna ( and Grecil and Rodel) when I was staying at El Nido Cove back in 2018. They were doing their On Job Training (OJT) from Barotuan National High School (BNHS) with Ayala. A couple of weeks later I met them again when I stayed at Huni where they were doing the second phase of their OJT. I was immediately impressed by their work ethic, politeness, confidence ( they were just 17 and English was their second language) and Customer Care. When I found a lot of rubbish on the beach Kuya Ran suggested we did a beach clean up and the students joined us, giving me a chance to talk more about their future plans. They wanted to go to University and study for a degree but the nearest University was over a 5 hour drive away in the capital of Palawan, Puerto Princessa. That meant they would have to stay in a boarding house ( 2,000 pesos a month) and buy food, pay for transport to and from their family homes each month , and to and from college . In total they needed 100,000 pesos a year to make their dreams come true. 

      Jhoanna and some of her fellow students at the Cathedral

At that stage I was planning my retirement in the Philippines and having worked and saved hard for 11 years in the Middle East, not drinking or smoking or having a wife or kids I had money spare. So I decided to sponsor Jhoanna when she started her (BSBA-Human Resource Management) at Palawan State University ( PSU) in 2019. When I won a smart phone in a Wellbeing Raffle run by Bapco I gave it to Jhoanna so she could keep in touch with her family back home and when I got a new laptop I gave her my old one. She worked very hard and updated me regularly on her progress. 

                       Jhoanna and I having Meryenda in Divine Sweets

When I was preparing to move to Palawan she organised my houses, first in Bancao Bancao which she cleaned with Grecil ( who by then had joined her at University). Then she unpacked my air freight when it arrived in February 2021. Unfortunately due to COV19 I could not join it and she disposed of that house and arranged for everything to be stored. When I finally did arrive in April 2022 she arranged for me to rent the Blue House and had everything moved here.

                           One of my favourite photos of Jhoanna

Since then I have visited their family home many times in Barotuan and always made very welcome by her mum , sisters ( one of whom has now turned 18 and joined her at PSU) and brother. I was a surprise guest at her sister's 18th and I organised a surprise 22nd Birthday party for Jhoanna together with my housewarming party. 

                 The secret birthday party that Jhoanna found out about

As well as her sister and Grecil I also now sponsor her cousin Kit, who is doing Criminology at PSU in El Nido. Later I was asked to support her friend TJ , studying Politics at PSU, in her Final Year after her dad died.

                          My favourite photo of TJ- all grown up now

Just like any family we have had our ups and downs but Jhoanna has always been a great support for me fixing things ( Phone load and registration, Wi-Fi top up, shopping ( on line and from the market) and very time she visits she always washes up. sweeps and mops the floors and baths Chester ( the dawg) as well as getting him treats, toys, leads and harnesses.

                                  Chalsee, Julios , Jhe and Kit 

When she finally finishes here in Puerto and moves away I will miss her terribly, but I know her sister Elay will look after me just as well- the way their mum bought them up to. Chalsee ( Kit's brother) is now joining the team starting at University in El Nido and Kit will move to Aborlan to study. Jhoanna also helps distribute the 6 monthly allowance I gave the scholars, getting them all to sign for their money. We have just distributed the money for July to December.

                          Kit, Chalsee and Jhoana

        Grecil and Jhoanna- Grecil has another of my laptops and TJ my Bike

In addition I gave Elay and TJ their allowances and paid to Frythy the final two months allowance for his sister , Mia, who is studying Art at PNS. As well as the 6 at University and One at Junior High school I have supported Aimae in Aberawan through HOPE since 2017. She is now 13 and still doing really well at school. I hope she will go on to university and look forward to seeing her graduate in 2033 when I will be 73 years old!

                           Jhoanna ( right) at her Graduation Ball in June

In addition to the 7 scholars above I have three who work for me at the Blue House. Noel and Frythy will finish from PNS this year and work two nights a week after school cleaning, washing up and playing with Chester . I feed them after school and then take them home when they finish work. Joven is a first year student at PSU studying Mechanical Engineering and he works for me every Saturday ironing , washing the car and cleaning inside, maintaining the grounds and clearing up Chester's mess! The money I give them helps buy clothes, new phones etc . So although Jhoanna is finally graduating I still have 9 others to support! Sadly I do not have sufficient savings for anyone else ( I usually get asked twice a day if I can give money to this group, individual, event etc ) as my pension only covers my house and car rental. However it is worth the investment in the future lives of 10 bright young students from Palawan.

                                           Jhe and Tatay at her 22 Birthday

So all that remains is to wish her all the best for the future, to congratulate her on her graduation and to thank her for looking after me so well in my first year in Palawan. Thanks also to Chester ( the Hooman) for finding the pics for me from her old birthday cards! Also to Jhoanna for sending me the pics of her Ball and the Cathedral invite below.

I had a panic when I read that guests were required to wear semi formal casual wear. I dont even have a shirt any more let alone a tie or suit! In the end there was no room for us so I took Jullymar to Jolibee to celebrate!

                             TBK and Jhoanna outside the Cathedral

As we stood in the sun watching everyone arrive in their cleanest trainers ( boys) and beautiful dresses, braided hair and make up ( girls) TBK tried to remember his graduation in 1981 in Huddersfield , UK. Of course we did not have mobile phones then but I think I still have a couple of photos ( hard copy) in my 4 remaining photo albums. You can read all about MY Graduation here:

https://thebritishkabayan.blogspot.com/2023/06/tbk-remembers-his-graduation-in-1981-in.html

Finally as I was writing this blog I saw the picture below on my Facebook:

                                     CASTRO, Benedict Luis

Bachelor of Arts in Communication

Luis has been a key member of the TBK team since I moved to Palawan over a year ago teaching me how to get the best from my camera, the principles of vlogging and editing , and much more. We all join in congratulating him on his graduation.