A Gem Found

CEBU, Philippines -  Bachelor of Mass Communication, Silliman University When children are asked where they want to be in five to ten years, their responses differ from "I want to be a doctor" to "I imagine myself a lawyer" or "I aim for a seat in politics." Everyone is free to dream; anything is possible. But the stark reality is that not everyone has the resources to make their dreams come true.

However, lack of resources didn't stop the young Marciano Sajulian. The only thing he knew to uplift him from poverty was education. So he put himself to school - all on his own. He worked as a hired hand for people for a measly 20-peso monthly salary. He worked as construction help; he swept and mopped floors; he did anything just to survive: have food for himself, little pocket money, be able to go to school.

When the boy was much younger, he would walk from home to school and back, barefoot for he couldn't afford a pair of slippers. At the time the usual school tuition was five pesos but, poor as they were, it was still a big amount to raise.

It took him ten long years to finish high school. Then, he went on to college as a working student. He was just so determined to get himself an education. Finally, he earned his Bachelor of Commerce degree, at the University of Visayas.

He got a job at the Radio Communications of the Philippines, Inc. (RCPI), in 1966, where he eventually became manager. Then, he met his wife; the union produced three children, two boys and a girl. He continued to work at RCPI up to 1998.

 Yet smooth as his professional life was, he had a rough time with the kids. The two boys failed him somehow. They dropped out of school; they didn't seem to have in them their father's thirst for education. They instead got into vices, like drinking, in particular.

Now, it saddens the father to see his sons end up as security guards, despite his great desire to provide them with good education, so they could have better lives. Especially now that his boys already have families of their own, the grandfather's heart bleeds for the future of the grandchildren.  His only consolation is his daughter, who has finished her education and is now having a good job.

Marciano Sajulian, now 75 years old, is "Tatay" at a spot near the corner of D. Jakosalem-Colon Sts. and the University of Visayas. At his age he still wants to be useful, to himself and to others. He does typing jobs for walk-in clients.

Tatay does his trade with just a table and an old typewriter, alongside those that sell food, candies and crackers, those that do photocopying and other services. The place is perfect for him, because it's near a school and it's where people wait for a jeepney ride home. In other words, traffic here is good. 

He does various kinds of typing, from simple documents such as letter-requests to legal papers. This recent job he started in 2003 and he has become quite highly skilled at it. In fact, he could already pinpoint flaws in documents brought to him for re-typing and do the necessary corrections.

His job does not only fill Tatay's days, it also lends meaning to his time. He relates a story of one former client, a maritime student, who asked him to make a certification, as a school requirement. Tatay recalls the thing was easy for him to do, because that's what he does every day.

Years after, a young man came to him with a big grin on his face. It was the former student who paid him 20 pesos for a school certification. The student had since passed the licensure exams and was now a working seaman.

 After exchanging hellos, the young man slipped a 500-hundred peso bill in Tatay's hand. It was a big thing for the old man - not the money, but the gesture. It meant to Tatay that his little contribution matter to people.

It is such an interesting city, like the whole world itself is an interesting place. There are gems to be found even on the wayside if one stops to search for them. Tatay may not look as anybody special to a regular passerby - but he definitely has one gem of a story to tell.