Part-time waiters work to pay for schooling
IN the middle of the busy South Bus Terminal in Cebu City, two youths patiently wait for clients to buy their cooked siomai in a fast-food store.
Bonifacio Tubalado Jr. 19, and his friend James Belotindos, 19, from Talisay City, worked as part-time waiters to earn money during the summer school break.
“Kinhanglan pud mi mo lihok para makatabang sa amo ginikanan nga mahaw-as sa kalisod,” said Tubalado.
He said he wanted to work instead of having “gimmicks” with friends for the summer.
He and Belotindos earlier applied for a job at the Mactan Export Processing Zone but they were not accepted.
When they were told by a neighbor of the vacancy at the fast-food store, they applied and got hired.
The two youths were excited on their first day on the job two weeks ago.
“We wanted to get this part-time job. At least we could help our parents while school is out,” said Tubalado, who will be a 4th year high school student like Belotindos in June.
He said working at the small fast-food store is an advantage because it exposes them to real-life work.
“Dako nang advantage namo nga makat-un mi sa trabaho, at least naa mi mapaabot every week (It’s an advantage for us to learn to work. At least we can expect something every week),” he said .
They work for 12 hours a day and earn P150.
They said they want to save money for their college education.
Tubalado said he wanted to be a pilot but his sister told him to take up a nautical course in college so he could work abroad after graduating.
Tubalado said despite having no money to fulfill his dream, he was still determined to achieve it.
“Ang importante salig lang sa imo kaugalingon ug maningkamot,” he said with a smile.
He said his father was a farmer who worked in a rattan factory when he moved to Cebu and lost his job during the economic crisis. His mother is a social worker of the barangay health center.
“I have many dreams. To fulfill them, I should have discipline and stick to rules,” said Tubalado, who plans to finish school and get a job. /Correspondent Tweeny M. Malinao
