This is my friend Jhon. His photo was taken at the Bueno River, several kilometers from Mt. Pinatubo crater in Capas, Tarlac. Jhon is 32 years-old, reliable, outgoing and a father of four. He used to work as a common welder in one of the local investments in Tarlac province. For years, he would take even a measly PhP200 ($4 dollors) for a heavy day's work at the shop. But he doesn't complain. He always tell me that to earn that for a day is better than none at all. What is important is for his family to get by. Today, after years of hardwork, Jhon was finally given a break. He now supervises at least 30 co-workers in a new construction project and was given additional perks and overtime pay by their company!
Jhon's story is a tale unique and yet too close to millions of laborers in a third-world country like Philippines. But his determination and perseverance only proves that when we work hard enough, we will earn what we sow in the end.
