Eldest sister sacrifices own education to send 4 siblings to school

Abby Ida, the eldest sibling in her family, said there is no other treasure than feeling proud and accomplished after seeing all her four siblings graduate from college.

According to Nico Waje's report on "24 Oras," Abby went viral on social media after netizens read about her story of leaving school and working to support her siblings.

Her siblings are now graduates of Bachelor of Science (BS) in Agriculture, BS in Hotel and Restaurant Technology, BS in Marine Transportation and BS in Hotel Management. 

She said their father no longer supports them financially after his separation from their mother. 

Meanwhile, her Mmther could not work as she was taking care of their grandmother.

With this, when she was a third-year college student, Abby was forced to drop out of school and find a way to earn for her family.

"Pumasok sa utak ko that time na ako yung eldest, so ako parang dapat yung mag-work. Yung mga kapatid ko na sobrang nakakaawa talaga batang-bata pa. Sila talaga yung motivation ko na magpatuloy," said Abby. 

(It entered my mind then that I was the eldest, so I thought I should be the one to work. My siblings were pitiful when they were young. They are my motivation to continue.) 

From Bohol, she ventured to Manila, but failed to find work. She soon found an opportunity to be a call center agent in Cebu.

"Sobrang hirap po talaga. Siguro 80% ng sweldo ko binibigay ko sa mama ko. Hinihiram niya pa yung pang-allowance ko. Minsan nagigising na lang ako umiiyak din na parang nag kaka-anxiety paano yung wala akong kainin, walang pamasahe," she said. 

(It's really hard. I give maybe 80% of my salary to my mom. She even borrows my allowance. Sometimes, I just wake up crying as if I'm getting anxious, how come I have nothing to eat, I have no money to pay for a ride.) 

It was during the pandemic in 2020 when she transitioned to live online selling, but Abby also acknowledged that she didn't go through it alone.

For every sibling who graduates, Abby said her previous boyfriend, who is now her husband, John, has been a big help for them. 

"Every sweldo niya talaga almost 80-100 percent binibigay niya talaga sa family and ako wala naman akong sinusuportahan kasi di naman ako panganay so ako na lang tumutulong sa kanya," said John. 

(She gives almost 80-100 percent of every salary to her family, and I don't support anyone because I'm not the firstborn, so I just help her.) 

Her sister, Queenie, who graduated under BS in Hotel and Restaurant Technology, expressed her gratitude to Abby. 

"Gusto kong magpasalamat, grabe yung sakripisyo na binigay niya. Bihira yung eldest na ganito na tatalikuran talaga yung pag-aaral," Queenie said. 

(I want to say thank you, she sacrificed a lot.  It's rare that the eldest, like her, will give up studying.) 

Abby said she is now focused on herself as she is healing her inner child.

"Slowly, hini-heal ko na yung inner child ko. Ginagawa ko na yung mga bagay na di ko nagawa dati. I’m also planning na I-pursue yung studies ko rin e," she said. 

(Slowly, I am healing my inner child. I'm doing things that I never did before. I'm also planning to pursue my studies.)—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News