Boy who studies while selling ‘balut’ earns praises

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

 

BACOLOD City – Netizens took to social media their admiration of the dedication of a 15-year-old boy, who was seen reading a learning module while selling “balut” in front of a convenience store in Victorias City, Negros Occidental.

Julius Barbosa, a Grade 10 student at Victorias City National High School, who dreams of becoming a police officer, went viral on social media after a netizen took his photo while reading his learning materials.

Balut is a fertilized developing egg embryo that is boiled and eaten from the shell. It is commonly sold as street food in the Philippines.

Vanessa Belonio, a student at the Central Philippines State University in the city, posted Barbosa’s photo on Facebook after she attended a Sunday mass. It garnered 6,300 shares and 5,800 reactions since.

Belonio said she was amazed how Barbosa strived to study while finding a way to earn a living at a young age.

“I was very inspired. I can see that he is very dedicated to learn and to earn to be able to help his family,” Belonio said.

Belonio said he is a very good role model to other students, that despite hindrances like poverty, he was willing to pursue his education.

Barbosa said that he was glad when he learned that he served as an inspiration to others.

Barbosa said he encouraged others to study hard so that they can find a good job.

“Sige lang sila dapat tuon kag magtutom gid para kapangita mayo na obra sa ulihi,” he said.

Barbosa started to sell “balut” when he was seven years old as he felt the urge to help his family after his father stopped working as a sugarcane worker at that time.

“Nagbaligya ko ‘balut’ para may bugas kami kag kalan-on sa balay,” he said.

He is the eldest among nine siblings, with the youngest at four months old. He is a son of a tricycle driver and a housewife.

According to Joy, Julius’s 34-year-old mother, she was surprised to learn about her son’s viral photo.

Joy said that Julius would usually leave their house at 4 p.m. to sell “balut” and go home by 10 p.m.

During the day, he would do the household chores, that’s why he opted to bring the module while he sells the street food so that he can have time to read it, his mother said.

She said they did not force her son to work at a very young age, but Julius wanted to help provide for the family.

 

She said she wanted her children to finish their studies and be successful. “Mintras masarangan namun, maskwela gid sila mayo,” she said, adding that six of her nine children are now studying.

 

Meanwhile, some netizens expressed their intention to help Barbosa.