From Riches to Rags
By Blue Rose on Thursday, 27 of August , 2009 at 12:38 pm
This is a true to life story of some young Filipina and Filipino, which are born a princess and prince, with golden spoon in their mouth, with beautiful and new things whenever they want to have, with servants and personal maids that always follow their command, and fly in every country where they wanted to go.
But then something changed their life, from riches to rags. How can they live? How can they cope up?
1st Story: Once Upon a Princess
Think haciendera with sugar, coffee plantations, farms, vast of lands with workers, and a mestiza class. Stephanie, though illegitimate, lived like a don’s daughter – born with a house in Forbes Park, multiple Cadillac’s, and a Brent – School education. “We had relatives in high places, and my dad was the one who took care of the clan’s much business.”
Unfortunately, her family’s business transactions with the government went awry. Her dad, a womanizer who partied hard, was also too lax with his family’s money, loaning huge amounts to cousins (which never got paid). “We are losing money, while our relatives got wealthier.”
“We had to move to a shabby, poorly constructed house. Suddenly, the maids were gone, the luxury trips disappeared, and only one old car was left in the garage.”
Stephanie passed the entrance exam at one of the top universities in the country, but couldn’t afford the tuition fee. She ended up in a junior college in the province, which also became too expensive. So she went back to Manila to continue her studies at a so-so college. Without a part-time job, he had to literally beg her older half-siblings in the US and her dad’s rich friends to lend her some money for school. “Kinain ko talaga pride ko (I really eat my pride). I had to sweat blood and work hard for the things I needed. Pahirapan’ ang paghingi ng pera (asking and begging for money become so hard).”
Stephanie recalls a loving and generous dad from his childhood. But he no longer has that now. Her dad would always remind him to study and work hard for the sake of her younger siblings. “I was scared of failure. I didn’t want to disappoint my dad. I’d often find myself crying whenever I’d do something that seemed to embarrass him, like not passing the entrance exam of one university. I did everything he wanted, but all I ever got from him were accusations of selfishness and scorn.”
“Once, I couldn’t take the humiliation anymore – people talking about what happened to our family, begging from relatives, the hard life – so I found myself in tears. Before, some people would snub me because I’m a bastard girl; now, they snub me because I’m a poor bastard. My life now is a far cry from my childhood. Back then, I had helpers who spoke English, a chopper that fetched me from Brent, and plans for a US college education.”
I try to cope by forgetting I was once wealthy. Even if I still try to keep that air of aristocracy, I don’t live beyond my means. I never get to pursue the course I wanted because the pressure to excel was so great – but the thought of my rich, smug relatives keeps me going. Actually, I’m really worrying about the future of my younger siblings that pushes me to not waste my time thinking about my old life.”
2nd Story: Poor Little Rich Kid
Andrew had no dad, but his highly successful, workaholic mom made up for it by giving him everything he asked for. In short, what Andrew wanted, Andrew got. “Ako ang boss dati (I’m the boss before).”
Two years ago, Andrew’s mom died in a plane crash. Unfortunately, Andrew would only have access to his trust fund when he turned 21. “I have access to some of the money, but these funds have been blocked by my aunt.”
Andrew rented a condo unit after his mom died, but couldn’t pay the rent. He also tried his hand at various types of business, but everything fell through. So he had to live with relatives. However, because of his bossy, “rich” attitude, he was turned away from every house he tried to stay in. the little money he had was wasted on drugs. “But I’ve stopped already.”
His cell phone, musical instruments, and computer were sold to make ends meet. Though he wasn’t made to pay the bills, he also couldn’t take the “poor lifestyle.” “I really tried to live a simple life, but having grown up with everything. I couldn’t help but feel frustrated with my life as a penniless guy.”
He had only one possession left – his car. Andrew put college on hold for two years. When he felt it was time to go back, he decided to sell his car to have money for tuition. “My car was like my home. But if I was to make something of myself until I got my trust fund, then I had to go back to school. The money from selling the car won’t see me through college. But I’ll handle that problem when it arises.”
“Even if I have girlfriends and relatives, I still feel alone. Before, it was my mom and me against the world. Now, it’s just me against everyone. I can’t say I’ve adjusted to having no money. I’m just so full of pain and anger. Kung buhay ang mommy ko, hindi mangyayari ‘to! (If my mom was alive, this will never happen!) Kapag nakikitira ka, its important na makisama ka. (If you’re not living in your own house, like relatives, it’s important that you get along with them.) I couldn’t hack it, so I moved out. Now, I’m living my life on my own.”
You can also share your story with us, it’s never a shame full move to tell people of what you are before, and instead you give them inspiration, people who had experiences like you, may get lots of lesson from your story.
