‘Una’t huling alas’: Former waste picker is now a licensed professional teacher
Jerick Languardia Ortiz, a former waste picker, is now a licensed professional teacher after passing the 2023 Licensure Examination for Teachers on Dec. 7, 2023. Photo courtesy of Jerick Languardia Ortiz.
A former waste picker from Sipocot, Camarines Sur, has brought inspiration online after completing his bachelor’s degree in education and eventually passing the 2023 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) against all odds mostly related to financial scarcity.
On Dec. 8, 22-year-old Jerick Languardia Ortiz shared in a TikTok video the heartwarming moment of seeing his name on the list of those who passed the examination released by the Philippine Regulation Commission.
”After I finished the exam, I cried while I talked to my friend on the phone because I did not expect that out of the many things I reviewed, only a few were in the exam. Even when I get home, I still cannot move on. I did not share what had happened with my mom. I even lied that the results would be released in March to hide the results if I failed,” Ortiz told the Inquirer.
Ortiz is the younger of two sons of a former waste picker. At an early age, Ortiz helped his father by picking piles of salable garbage to sustain their daily lives. Being financially unstable, his family had to stay at his aunt’s old house for 18 years.
Making do with only P1 or P2, sometimes even nothing, as his daily allowance in elementary school, Ortiz maintained his being an honor student from grade one to grade six. He was also an exemplary student in high school.
“Even if life is hard, we were fighting because I have a dream to become a teacher. I graduated senior high school with a medal, and I dedicate this to my father, who sacrificed a lot for our family,” Ortiz expressed.
Last June, Ortiz graduated with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education majoring in science at the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture – Sipocot campus.
Ortiz with his family during his graduation ceremony at the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture on June 21, 2023. Photo courtesy of Jerick Languardia Ortiz
Through his father’s hard work as a waste picker, he and his brother were able to finish their studies. During his review, he felt the pressure of being the “una’t huling alas” (first and only hope) to sustain his family’s needs as his elder brother could no longer work due to a lung ailment.
In mid-July, he moved to a boarding house to focus on his review for the LET, but eventually he went back home due to financial problem.
“When I was in a boarding house, I cried because my only viand was salt and soy sauce. I stretch the P100 my mother is sending me through Gcash for the whole week to survive,” Ortiz said.
The new teacher also revealed that he was almost unable to take the exam because he didn’t have enough money to pay for the fare in going to the exam center in Legazpi City in Albay, until his uncle helped him financially.
“I sacrificed everything just to get what I wanted, which is a license, because I didn’t want to disappoint my parents. Now, I’m the first licensed teacher in the family. The son of a waste picker is now an LPT [License Professional Teacher]. I’m proud to say that,” he said.
As someone who experienced poverty, Ortiz then advised young dreamers to never give up on their dreams despite the difficult circumstances they may face in their journeys.
“I know the journey is difficult, but remember there’s no easy way towards our dreams, and it’s still for us to decide how to succeed. With strength and trust in yourself, you will reach it someday. Fight!” he exhorted.
For monetary assistance and donations, you may contact Ortiz through his Facebook account, Jek Ortiz.—Chris Burnet Ramos, INQUIRER.net intern
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