Lifestyle

Inspiring Stories: Tricycle Driver Studying for a Master’s Degree in Education

Due to poverty, Rafael Yurag was not able to finish his studies when he was younger. He now has a family with his live-in partner Renelyn Pensocas. Despite only earning P400/day as tricycle driver in Angono, Rizal in the Philippines, Rafael did his best to earn a degree so he could become a teacher and provide a better life for his family.

At first, Renelyn did not want Rafael to pursue a degree but seeing how determined he was to make ends meet and find time to study while waiting for passengers, she relented.

Using his earnings as tricycle driver, Rafael was able to finish his bachelor’s degree. Still, his quest for knowledge did not stop there – he decided to go for a master’s degree in education!

A Bayan Mo I-patrol Mo (BMPM) patroller for ABS-CBN took a snapshot of Rafael studying a book strapped to the handlebars of his tricycle. This photo quickly went viral, gaining praise across social media for this guy’s determination.

He might not be as young as his classmates yet Rafael shows that hard work and determination can help any person fulfill his dreams – no matter how young or old he/she might be.

Rafael admitted that there are lots of problems he had encountered along the way, especially because he has a family to support, he only earns a meager income per day, and there are school projects he needs to submit. Still, he is not letting all those hurdles get in the way of his dream.

This hardworking tricycle driver is determined to finish his master’s degree within two years and, afterwards, teach high school and college students in a nearby school.

Watch the TV Patrol feature on Rafael here: