Making big out of little

By Camilla and Shawn Fernandez

 “BESHIE, kailangan ko ng pera. Gusto ko mag-business.” One of my friends told me.

 Pero wala naman akong puhunan.”

“Kung gusto, laging may paraan.” I answered.

This conversation reminded me of my childhood years. I believe it was just ordinary if our parents would only give us an allowance, they knew we needed. But as a kid, I was hoping of having an increase so I could buy anything I wished to have. So, when my parents bought a big bulk of candies for us, my brother Shawn and I saw it as an opportunity to make profit from. When we told our parents about our plan, they were very supportive. I sold a widely known brand of menthol candy to my classmates while my brother chose his own product to sell.

It was a gratifying experience because we were not only earning, but we were also learning and enjoying what we’re doing. An increase in our sales meant an increase in our allowances. And you know, as a kid, it meant ‘I can buy anything. Sky’s the limit!’

At a young age, our loving parents exposed us to the realities of life. Even back then, our father would call us to discuss our family’s monthly income and expenses, and as I grew older, I realized how important it was to involve children about the issues being faced by the family, even on financial matters.

“Mga anak,” my mom would explain to us. “Ito ang kita natin this month. Ito ang budget natin para sa kuryente, tubig, pagkain at gastusin sa araw-araw.” My brother and I would listen attentively.

“You understand what this means, right?” my father would add. “We need your cooperation.” Shawn and I nodded.

Rather than my father talking alone with my mother about the toil of budgeting, I loved it that they actually make us a part of making decisions for our family. It made me feel like I am indeed part of the family, like what I think and say matters to them. This made us understood our responsibility as their children. They taught us, of course, the proper ways of budgeting and we were able to discipline ourselves to meet our desired results.

I recalled when I was still young and my mom took me to the market with her. She pointed a very young girl selling vegetables and told me, “Nak, tignan mo yun.” I glanced at the girl she pointed. “Kailangan maging masipag at matapang para harapin ang mga hamon ng buhay.”

From that moment on, I tried not to be overwhelmed by the adversities of life but rather see it as an inspiration to push myself even further. All great things start out little. There is no such thing as inborn “experts”; we all learn along the way.

Seeing people, especially children, working hard just to earn a living reminds me that poverty is not a hindrance to fulfill my dreams but a stepping stone, because it is through hardship that I learn and persevere. It is through facing difficulties and getting out of my comfort zone that I realized my own capabilities.

Only what is earned the hard way is greatly valued. In our own little ways, we could improve our status in life. You don’t have to be a superman to make a change. We could all be heroes in our little worlds, if only we do our part and give more than what is expected from us.

I want to be a successful entrepreneur someday and I am starting my journey now. Lately, I just earned five thousand in just a matter of two days and my father said, “Galing. Sipag talaga ng anak ko.” My heart fluttered. Happy emoji’s came circling ‘round my head, confetti falling from up high. There is really no greater feeling than to make your parents be proud of you.

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