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Once a takatak boy and an OFW, Cesar Apolinario wanted to tell stories to inspire


As a broadcast journalist, public affairs host, and film director, Cesar Apolinario gained much renown in front and behind the camera throughout his career.

But he has been open about coming from humble beginnings, working as a "takatak boy" so he had money for school.

 

 

"Kahit mahirap yung pagtatakatak, kahit na nakakahiya, kailangang mag-ipon ng pambaon sa loob ng isang linggo para makapasok ako everyday," he said in a GMA News TV video in 2015.

"Hindi porke't mahirap ka ay wala ka nang karapatan na tumalino. Ang pangarapin nila ngayon ay yumaman ang kaalaman nila para marami silang mai-inspire."

 

 

He opened up about working different jobs to put himself through school in an interview with Mel Tiangco on "Powerhouse" in 2012.

He spent two years working in Bahrain to be able to save up enough to go to college. Even while studying Communication Arts at University of Santo Tomas, he continued to work different jobs, which gave him experience in television production.

At his college graduation, he reflected back on a scene from previous commencement ceremonies.

"Bumalik sa akin nung grumaduate ako nung high school ako at nung elementary na kaming dalawa lang ng nanay ko. Naalala ko 'yung mga classmates ko noon, kung saan-saan sila kumain, mga restaurant, Chinese restaurant," he said.

"Kami ang celebration namin ng nanay ko, sa lugawan lang. Sabi niya, 'Saan mo ba gustong kumain, gusto mo ba sa restaurant?' May pera siya noon eh. 'Hindi 'nay, gusto ko lang sa lugawan.' Lugaw lang kami. 'Yun 'yung image, vivid image na nakikita ko, habang naglalakad ako [sa graduation]. At 'yun 'yung time sabi ko sa sarili ko, hindi na magiging ganito 'yung buhay ko." —JST, GMA News

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