Taxi driver-lawyer is driven to succeed

Edited by: Lucille Ann C. Canda

Purpose Statement:
1. What were the struggles of the taxi driver?
2. Who helped him?
3. How the struggles changed him?
It was the summer of 2010 when I decided to quit law school and, with it, my
dreams of becoming a lawyer. I couldnt support myself financially.
My income as a taxi driver was meager. It was difficult just to meet my daily
needs, notwithstanding the books that needed to be purchased, the tuition fees,
and my outstanding school fees.
Life was hard for me while growing up, which was why I decided at an early age
that I needed an education, and that I needed to pursue a career in law.
Miracle
I confided in one of my closest friends. I disclosed to him the reasons behind my
ambition to be a lawyer. I also told him why I wasnt able to find a good job,
despite having a bachelors degree, and instead had to work as a taxi driver.
Without hesitation, he offered his help. He said he would shoulder my school
fees.

I didnt believe him and had to clarify if I heard it right. He told me, It is not a
joke and I am serious in my offer. I see myself in you. Like you, I supported
myself in college and I encountered so many struggles before I made it. I also
received help from other people so it is now the right time to return the
goodwill.
It was really a miracle! A person whom I wasnt related to offered to help me
fulfill my ambition.
I thanked God with all my heart. I said to Him, Lord thank you very much
for giving me this person. Now I believe that you do exist and watch over me all
the time.
I was not a very religious person. Up until then I believed I was alone in my
struggles. A job as a taxi driver was all I could get as I was turned down from
other jobs for one reason or another. But because of this, I made a promise to
the Lord to serve Him. I got closer to God than ever before.
It made me believe that, in times of trouble, all I need to do is to lift my hands to
Him and He will make a way for me. He has proven this to me in so many
instances. If I cant make it all myself, then He will send somebody to help me.
So many people were sent by Him.
Help from friends
There is Rey Fernandez, an engineer. He helped me by lending me money to pay
for my school fees. I cant remember if I had ever paid him back sufficiently.

There are my fellow taxi drivers who helped me every time I had problems with
my vehicle.
There was Nanay Mila and also Ate Gina who always let me eat at their
carinderia with credit. My longtime-friend Mikhael Chavez was always there for
me.
There were also friends in law school who helped me in my studies; my teachers
who served as my second parents and mentors of my knowledge in law; and my
landlord who understood it when I had to delay rental payment.
My fraternity brother, also helped pay for my tuition for the last semester in
Adamson and my bar review tuition.
Obstacles
October 2012 came and as the first Sunday approached, I felt that the days were
turning faster than usual. I braced myself for the worst although I prepared too
much for the first two subjects. My confidence increased after the first Sunday.
The following Sundays, however, were a disaster.
I did not expect to pass the bar, so much so that I began to condition myself to
retake it next year. When the bar results were released and I was one of those
who made it, I shed tears of joy! I went to church and once again thanked God.
I said to Him, From now on, I will not ask for more because you know all that I
needed and I know you havent failed me. Thank you Lord!.