The No ID, No Entry Man of Surigao State College of Technology

The happiest people are those who love what they are doing regardless whether they can achieve wealth, fame, and power or can not.

With the six thousands monthly compensation working as the school’s security guard, being looked down by many sometimes, will you find happiness in your heath? You may not, but Mr. Alilo P. Ga had managed to draw a big smile in his heart despite all the hardships he encountered from his past life. He heartedly accepted the simple life that God has provided him and his family, and at the same time inspired others lives with his own tale to tell.

Kuya Alilo in his tender years and being the fourth born child of seven offsprings of Mr. Andres E. Ga, a fisherman, and Mrs. Rebecca P. Ga, a house keeper in the beautiful island of Dinagat was already a responsible lad. When he was thirteen, during weekends, he went fishing with his father. After the dreadful activity, he then watched over his younger siblings as his mother went selling those caught fishes he and his father brought home. During “Habagat”, fishermen had nothing to catch so, Kuya Alilo and his mother looked for another means to feed the whole family. They used to cross the wavy sea just to reach Barangay Wadas, Dinagat Islands to dig the soil just to get some “payao” for their meal.

At the age of seventeen, the newly graduate Kuya Alilo pushed his luck in the city of Surigao and attended Surigao del Norte School of Arts and Trades (SNSAT) with the course Civil Technology. Since drafting is really what his heart hunger for, after one year of taking CT he dropped it. For years, like any other mortals, he lost his desire to elevate his lifestyle and became a “tambay”. A cousin named Irene Ormega encouraged him to apply at Earth Security Agency as a security guard. With a strong desire to help his parents when it comes to money matters, he became a security guard of PALMA, a department store located in Surigao City for two years.

The holy sacrament of marriage was taken by twenty one year old Kuya Alilo with his chosen woman, Mary Ann. The couple was blessed with a baby named Marky Lou and another baby after three years named Almarose. In year 1997, Kuya Alilo was employed in Surigao State College of Technology, Surigao City under Tactical Expert Security and Protective Services, Inc. He was been serving SSCT for twelve years. All the sleepless nights of keeping the campus’ security intact was endured by him just to make his children’s future not to be left hanging as what he had. With God’s grace, his perseverance and sacrifices were not wasted because his first born child after graduating as a class Valedictorian in his Elementary years, just recently again honored as High School’s Valedictorian and gain full scholarship at St. Paul University Surigao. His baby girl, a Valedictorian also back in her Elementary days was proclaimed first honor in first year high school class.

Truly, the 38 year old security guard’s is worth inspiring. The beauty of his life begins with hope, hope that serves as his guidance and inspiration not towards his success but to his dear children. Indeed, this “No ID, No Uniform, No Entry” man of Surigao State College of Technology is not just an ordinary person but an extra ordinary one.

HAWAK KAMAY

First time I heard the song “Hawak Kamay” composed by the ABS-CBN’s Pinoy Dream Academy Grand Star Dreamer Yeng Constantino, I was superbly impressed both by the lyrics and tune of the song. “Hawak kamay…di kita iiwan sa paglakbay… dito sa mundong walang katiyakan… Hawak kamay… di kita bibitawan sa paglalakbay… sa mundo ng kawalan.” These words can be depicted as God’s message to everybody. He’s promising not to let everybody be lost on his paths in life. He is always there to guide and to protect us.

While listening to the song, I can vividly reminisce the bleak chapters and pages of the book of my life. “Minsan madarama mong kay bigat ng problema… minsan mahihirapan ka at masasabing ‘di ko na kaya.” To look back after graduation in high school, I did not directly proceed to college because of poverty. I was just one of those millions who had all this eagerness to pursue their college education, but, as a poor dreamer, I once failed. Unfortunately, I cannot direct the will of fate. On one hand, I was then a scholar through the letter being sent to me indicated that I had passed the scholarship examination in one of the government scholarship grants, having no connection in the municipal hall employees, however, my name was not in the master list of passers as I went there to confirm. Because of innocence despite of such transparent treachery, I forgot the thing. Such grant would perhaps aid me in pursuing my dreams, but I failed for another chance. Desperate, I went back home with watery eyes. Afterwards, I soon recovered because according to the line “Cry not so much when you missed the sun; you may fail to see the stars.”

“Tumingin ka lang sa langit…o di kaya ako’y tawagin.” Yes! I did. Behind those failures, I still firmly believed that God would always be there to comfort me. Eventually, I had sought opportunities; consequently, I went here in Surigao City and was hired as sales boy in one of the department stores here. For almost a year, I worked hard for my future plans. Hence, the following school year, I made it to enter the world of college education.

I have proven that college life is not easy as what others have testified. “Minsan madarama mong ang mundo’y gumuguho sa ilalim ng iyong mga paa…at ang agos ng problema ay tinatangay ka.” There were times that I would go to school with empty stomach. To be separated from the family miles away is not easy; you could prove, this time, how bitter life is.

“Huwag mong sabihing nag-iisa ka…laging isiping may makakasama…narito ako.” Blessed am I who have strong faith in God. Such failures and frustrations were just means for me to be strong during those hard times. And, I really believe in Him.

Why am I sharing this rough experience to you? Well, currently, I am already in the fourth year of my Education course. Besides, because of self-directed effort, I am already one of the lucky government scholars here.

You often hear and even experience the term “Personalism” – a notion emphasizes the importance of the person with whom one has immediate face-to-face contact over the rule of law or the common good manifested in such practices as pakikisama, lagay, areglo, palakasan, nepotism and favoritism.

I just want to clarify that, for those who are involved; it is not easy to be deprived from opportunities. These opportunities are only little things for you, but, for others, such are already their bridges to success and their chances to pursue and acquire their dreams.

Now, for those dreamers like me, stand still as we continue sailing in life. Amidst those failures and hindrances, hold your head up high! Indeed, He is there forever saying, “Narito ako…hawak kamay!”

This is the story of a young man named, Myron T. Cubillan.