Abby Ida, the eldest in her family, recently went viral on social media after sharing her inspiring story of leaving school to support her siblings, who have now all graduated from college.
In a report by Nico Waje on “24 Oras,” Abby expressed the pride and accomplishment she feels seeing her four siblings achieve their educational goals. The siblings completed degrees in Bachelor of Science (BS) in Agriculture, BS in Hotel and Restaurant Technology, BS in Marine Transportation, and BS in Hotel Management.
Abby recounted how their father stopped supporting them financially after separating from their mother. With her mother unable to work as she was caring for their grandmother, Abby, then a third-year college student, made the difficult decision to drop out and find work.
“Pumasok sa utak ko that time na ako yung eldest, so ako parang dapat yung mag-work. Yung mga kapatid ko na sobrang nakakaawa talaga batang-bata pa. Sila talaga yung motivation ko na magpatuloy,” said Abby.
Her journey took her from Bohol to Manila, where she struggled to find work before securing a job as a call center agent in Cebu. Abby described the hardships she faced, often giving 80% of her salary to her mother, and dealing with anxiety over basic needs like food and transportation.
“Sobrang hirap po talaga. Siguro 80% ng sweldo ko binibigay ko sa mama ko. Hinihiram niya pa yung pang-allowance ko. Minsan nagigising na lang ako umiiyak din na parang nagkaka-anxiety paano yung wala akong kainin, walang pamasahe,” she shared.
During the pandemic in 2020, Abby transitioned to live online selling. She also acknowledged the significant support from her former boyfriend, now her husband, John, who dedicated most of his salary to help her family.
“Every sweldo niya talaga almost 80-100 percent binibigay niya talaga sa family and ako wala naman akong sinusuportahan kasi di naman ako panganay so ako na lang tumutulong sa kanya,” said John.
Queenie, one of Abby’s siblings who graduated with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Technology, expressed her gratitude for Abby’s sacrifices.
“Gusto kong magpasalamat, grabe yung sakripisyo na binigay niya. Bihira yung eldest na ganito na tatalikuran talaga yung pag-aaral,” Queenie said.
Now, Abby is focused on healing and pursuing her own dreams. “Slowly, hini-heal ko na yung inner child ko. Ginagawa ko na yung mga bagay na di ko nagawa dati. I’m also planning na I-pursue yung studies ko rin e,” she said.