To make ends meet during the pandemic, three Lyceum of the Philippines University student-athletes proved that hustle isn’t only for inside the court but more so off it.
Juvic Colonia of the LPU men’s volleyball team said that he served as a helping hand to his mother who, as early as 2 in the morning, would already prepare various Filipino dishes that they’ll serve their customers.
He’s helping his mother and father, who is a security guard, earn extra income while also fulfilling his duties both as a third year psychology student and as the team captain.
“She would wake up at 2 then I would wake up at around 8 or 9 and she would say that we switch places so that she can take a rest,” shared Colonia on ‘Rise Up Stronger: The Road to NCAA Season 96’ on Thursday.
That was also the case for Mark Lumibao of the school’s track and field team. The Culinary Arts major shared on the show that he was eager to help his parents to feed the family as he works to deliver water gallons.
His father, who’s a jeepney driver, was forced to stop working at the height of the pandemic, while his mother is an OFW but was initially jobless as she was unable to apply for a job.
“I thought of working so that I can help even in just bringing food to the table,” Lumibao, a Pangasinan native, shared.
Niño Ibañez had the same experience when he went back home to his grandfather in Davao Oriental when the pandemic started its rage. There he would sell fishes to people residing at his barangay.
“I wake up at 4 am to wait for boats carrying the fishes then I would sell it. In the afternoon, I will remit everything to the owner, then they will give me a percentage depending on the prices of the fish,” shared Ibañez of the men’s basketball team.
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—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News
