Potential is found in not how loud one makes their efforts known, but rather in the presence of virtue, consistency, and determination. As a young child from a densely populated area like Baseco, silent strengths are often overpowered by the chaos of the everyday hustle and bustle. This is true for Jhoana Esmael as one of the more quiet and introverted children of the compound. She grew up in a family of four siblings, daughter to parents whose livelihood was dependent on a small scale pisonet computer shop. Financial pressure started to increase as she – alongside her siblings – had started schooling and the cost of uniforms, books, stationary, and other educational materials continued piling up under the household’s expenses.
Jhoana shares her first encounter with ERDA Foundation, noting that she had heard of the educational support program of the foundation and decided to apply to help alleviate the financial burden experienced by her parents. Shortly thereafter, she was accepted into the program and was a beneficiary from elementary school until college, and is a proud graduate of De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde with a degree in Business Administration, Major in Computer Applications.
Her journey to where she is now is not one without challenges. She recalls moments in which she worries about schooling costs, family expenses, and eventually witnessing the closure of her family’s computer shop, which made it necessary for her father to pursue a more stable job abroad as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW). Despite the hurdles she faced, she shares moments filled with gratitude as she was able to gain support and care from Ma’am Josie and other ERDA personnel during times of need. Jhoana recalls her years as an ERDA scholar with great fondness, attributing her career success to the various leadership programs she participated in through ERDA community events. She continuously circles back to the impact of receiving financial and educational support from the foundation, along with her benefactors, in alleviating her family’s financial burdens.
Looking back on her journey thus far, she expresses her thanks to Ma’am Josie and other ERDA coordinators for Baseco in recognizing her potential, despite being introverted and seemingly blending into the background in comparison to other children in her community. With the nudge she received from her area coordinators, she was able to take on leadership roles, subsequently gaining confidence and pride in the work she does everyday.
Jhoana Esmael currently works as an Administrative Professional for a financial advisory firm based in Australia, where she conducts research and consultancy efforts on market trends and trades. She is a proud ERDA scholar and a member of the ERDA Family, hailing from the community in Baseco, Manila.
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By the Ateneo Bigkis – BS Communications Technology Management Students