8-year-old boy sells sampaguita to help family, pay for school projects

MANILA, Philippines — Netizen Sha Lim Pua had just finished applying for a job when she saw an eight-year-old boy who fell asleep while reading a book in front of a cathedral in Lipa City, Batangas.

Pua said she failed to get the job but the sight of sleeping Cedrick Rebolado while holding his book outside a church and selling sampaguita gave her inspiration.

“That day po kasi nag-apply po ko work pauwi na po, 5 p.m. nun. Nagmamadali din po ako, kasi may bagyo po paulan na po nuon eh hindi rin ako natanggap sa work pero ng makita ko si Cedrick sobra ako nabigyan ng inspirasyon,” Pua told INQUIRER.net via Facebook messenger.

Pua immediately shared Cedrick’s photo on her Facebook account which garnered about 3,000 likes and 2,400 shares.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2601462539921219&set=pcb.2601482626585877&type=3&theater

Inspired by the boy’s perseverance, she interviewed the boy. Cedrick told Pua that he fell asleep while reading his Filipino book and waiting for his mother to finish selling sampaguita.

“Inaantay ko pong maubos ang sampaguita ko tapos inaantay ko rin po si Mama para makauwi kaming sabay,” Rebolado said when asked why he was sleeping in front of the church.

In the same video, Cedrick’s mother, Jocelyn Rebolado said Cedrick volunteered to help his family, noting that her son also uses his profit to buy materials needed for his school projects.

“Siya rin ang may gusto na magtinda, katwiran niya lahat ng project niya na kailangan dun niya kinukuha,” Jocelyn said.

“Nagtitinda ‘yung kanyang kinikita, itinatabi niya yun ang binabayad niya sa school, pag may project,” she added.

In a separate interview with INQUIRER.net, Jocelyn said her family has been selling sampaguita for eight years and they usually earn P300 per day. Cedrick has been selling flowers for almost three years, she noted.

Scholarship, future soldier

Cedrick, who is currently a Grade 2 student in Teodoro Kalaw Memorial School, said he wishes to have new set of clothes and a scholarship or financial aid for his education.

“Uniform, sando, bag, sapatos. Sira na po yung sapatos ko, nakangiwi na po. Sana po may magbigay sa akin ng scholarship,” he said.

Jocelyn said her son has been using the same shoes for two years and has been wearing the same uniform for three years.

When Pua asked Cedrick about his future career plans, the eight-year-old boy replied that he wants to join the military.

“Sundalo po, para makatulong sa mamamayan,” Cedrick, with a shy smile, told Pua.

‘Inspiration to all’ 

With Cedric’s perseverance and sense of responsibility to help his family, Pua asked the public, especially those who are financially able, to persevere and finish their studies.

“Sana maging inspirasyon itong letrato nya na mag sikap lalo ung iba na mas may kakayanan makatapos [sa pag-aaral] since working student din ako nag-aaral ako mahirap talaga ang buhay,” Pua said.

“Nakikita ko si Cedrick isa sya sa mag-iiwan ng inspirasyon sa lahat ng kabataan,” she added.

Jocelyn advised the public to deepen their faith in God just like Cedrick, who would pass by the church before going to school.

“Ang aking po masasabi ay mag sipag sa pag aaral at maging mabuti anak at  huwag babarkada at huwag din makakalimot sa Diyos kasi si Cedrick po at ang kanyang mga pamanking bago pumasok, dumadaan sa simbahan sa umaga po,” she said.  /muf