VENICE BALICOCO
VENICE
BALICOCO
S.Y. 2017-2018
Bachelor of Science in Information Management - Airline Operation
I am the middle child of three children. My mother who worked as a clerk was the breadwinner of our family because our father was jobless.
In 2002, I was in kindergarten and won in a coloring contest. I waited for my mother at the awarding ceremony, but only my aunt arrived, crying.
I was not aware that as I waited for my mom, she was fighting for her life. At the age of 30, she died that day, leaving behind three children aged two, five, and seven.
A week after my mother’s death, my father left us, taking away with him all my mother’s savings and insurance benefits. We never heard from him since.
My grandparents, together with my aunts and uncles who were not yet married then, provided for all our needs. They even sent us to school. Eventually though, support became limited as they started to build their own families and after my grandfather died.
My mother’s death became more and more real to me as days passed. She no longer answered whenever I called to her. No one hugged me when I was in distress. Each day added to the agony of longing for my own mother.
Growing up, I thought that life was so unfair to me and my siblings. We just wanted to be children. We never had a family picture. I just wanted to sleep right next to my parents, ask for ice cream during my birthday, and cry knowing that someone was going to be there.
I felt that my childhood was robbed from me. Instead of playing, we studied very hard to get scholarships and discounts from school. We feared that aside from being burdens, we might become disappointments to our relatives.
Graduating as class valedictorian from elementary paved the way for me to have a scholarship until high school.
I struggled with a life of survival. I needed to plan ahead and follow the path that I mapped out for myself. It was emotionally tiring not knowing God and just relying on what I could do.
During my senior year in high school, I was so lost that I tried to stop going to school. I lost my scholarship and did not inform my relatives about it. I survived the whole academic year on promissory notes. I skipped examinations because I was so ashamed. Depression took over me.
Two days before my graduation, I had a remaining balance at school which was paid for by my classmates and their parents so I could graduate. A month later, things changed when I became a Real LIFE scholar as I entered college.
I appreciate that Real LIFE is not just focused on providing for their scholars’ financial needs, but is also very much concerned about their welfare, character formation, and leadership development.
Through the the weekly coaching sessions, life skills trainings, and other workshops, we are really molded into men and women of character.
I learned to value other people’s time, be excellent in what I do, and be intentional in every word and deed. This may seem small, but it creates a ripple effect to the lives of those around me.
When I became a Real LIFE scholar, I developed a desire to help people, but I didn’t know what to do.
After graduating, I worked as a customer service agent for Cebu Pacific Air. I eventually moved to Lufthansa Services Philippines under Lufthansa InTouch where I worked as a Customer Service Consultant. Everyday was challenging but God reminded me that each day is an opportunity to help someone.
Receiving appreciation and seeing the smiles of the passengers was always fulfilling and rewarding. But my desire to help the underprivileged remained in my heart.
Hearing stories of injustices ignited my desire to become a lawyer. I may not be able to help everyone, but I might bring a difference in the life of one.
God confirmed my decision of entering law school when a door of opportunity opened in the midst of the pandemic.
I decided to enter law school in 2020. However, due to the pandemic, the aviation industry has been greatly affected. Companies started to lay off employees. Our work days were reduced and we started receiving only 60% of our salaries.
Given that I rent a room, pay bills, and provide for my family, my savings got depleted. I planned to delay entering law school for another year to prepare my finances, but God’s provisions are always on time.
A month before my resignation from the airline company, I received news from the University of the East - College of Law that they’ll be granting me a full scholarship that will cover 100% of my tuition and miscellaneous fees with monthly allowance.
I am currently in my second year in law school. I have a full time job as a research associate in Integreon Managed Solutions and a full load of classes with nine subjects while maintaining a grade of 89-91 for my scholarship.
The journey is hard and tiring, but I thank God for sustaining me everyday. He me provides the rest and strength I can keep going forward. With my career, I am able to provide for my family. This will not be possible without the help of Real LIFE.
I had my doubts and worries, but God taught me to have the courage to start. It is never about me and what I can do. It’s about trusting Him and knowing that He is always there, mindful of our needs.
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