Security guard aspiring to become a lawyer gets Christmas surprise

Jhon Abbang has tried many roles—a pedicab driver, a Divisoria vendor and a security guard—but his dream has always been to become a lawyer.

Inspired by his story, one of the tenants at the Manila condominium where Abbang works and several other netizens chipped in to make one of the security guard’s wishes come true during the holiday season.

According to JP Soriano’s “24 Oras” report on Tuesday, Abbang finally obtained his BS Criminology degree earlier this year after fighting the odds.

“May mga time po talaga na walang-wala ka talaga e. Papasok ka sa school tapos pamasahe na lang,” he said.

“Edukasyon lamang ang susi at magtiwala sa Diyos kaya kailangan. Sobrang hirap, nakita ko ‘yung hirap ng buhay namin. Kaya kailangang lumaban ako,” Abbang added, his voice breaking as he spoke.

Even after he obtained his degree, Abbang did not stop dreaming.

The security guard’s goal is to one day help the poor who are victims of false accusations and injustice.

One of the people who knew of his longtime dream was Atty. Keij Ejercito, who lives in the condominium that Abbang guards.

“Sabi niya sa’kin, ‘Attorney, meron na bang bagong rules on evidence?’ Sabi ko, ‘Ay oo, meron na.’ Feeling ko that time, he was reading pa an old book kasi e. Bibili rin naman ako for myself, bilhan ko na rin siya,” she said.

Ejercito posted Abbang’s story on social media, prompting many of her friends and other netizens to send in donations to buy him law books.

“Lahat ‘yan first-year books so wala ka nang poproblemahin for your first year. Sana gawin mong inspirasyon lahat ng tumulong sa’yo para ituloy mo, kasi hindi lahat nabibigyan ng chance,” she told Abbang.

The aspiring lawyer had nothing but gratefulness for the people who supported his dream.

“‘Di ko po ine-expect na ganito po, may gift po sa’kin na law books si attorney. Surprised po talaga ako. Sobrang saya po,” Abbang said.

“Parang iniisip mo, ngayon wala namang Pasko e kasi may pandemic. Pero pag magkakasama tayo, magbibigayan tayo, meron tayong mga matutulungan kahit gaano kaliit na paraan, parang Pasko pa rin,” Ejercito added.—Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News