Nabagbag ang damdamin ng mga netizen sa viral Facebook post ng isang concerned netizen tungkol sa isang dating school principal na naispatan niyang namumulot ng mga karton sa isang kalsada, dahil sa wala na itong ibang pagkakakitaan.
Mababasa sa Facebook post ni "Clarisse" na sa hindi niya inaasahang pagkakataon, hindi niya akalaing makikita niya sa kalsada ang retiradong pununggurong si Elvira F. Barcelo.
Kuwento ni Clarisse, naging principal si Barcelo sa elementary school kung saan siya nag-aral noon.
"Life often teaches its most profound lessons in unexpected ways," mababasa sa Facebook post ni Clarisse.
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"One of the most eye-opening experiences I've had recently came from meeting a former school principal—once a respected leader in education—who now collects cartons to make ends meet at the age of 81."
"At first, I was struck by the contrast."
"How does someone who once shaped young minds and led a school community end up walking the streets collecting recyclable boxes?"
"But as I spent time speaking with her, I realized that her story was not one of loss or pity—it was one of resilience, humility, and wisdom."
"I saw her collecting the cartons from chowking," aniya pa.
Natuwa raw si Barcelo nang magpakilala si Clarisse at sabihin niyang dati siyang estudyante nito. Salaysay pa raw ni Barcelo, bukod sa pangangalakal, ay paminsan ding nagtitinda ng mga prutas sa palengke ang dating school head.
"I greeted her with a smile and hugged her as if I saw a long lost relative."
"Me: Dr. Barcelo! Principal sa MC when I was in elementary, hindi nyo po ako kilala pero kilala ko po kayo. Kumusta po?"
"Dr. Barcelo: (Sobrang tuwa at may nakakilala sa kanyang estudyante) Eto okay naman. Matanda na 81 na ako."
"Looking at her, it was far from Dr. Barcelo that I used to know when I was in elementary. Back then she was always wearing high heels, lipstick and well-groomed hair. Full of life. Her name alone is so strong."
"Now, at age 81, she is collecting cartons, sometimes daw she is selling fruits sa palengke."
Batay sa pakikipagkuwentuhan ni Clarisse kay Barcelo, apat na life lessons daw ang agad na natimo niya sa kaniya.
Una raw, "Dignity Isn't Defined by Your Job Title."
"She told me, 'Work is work. If it’s honest, there’s dignity in it.' She didn’t seem bitter. She didn’t dwell on what she had or what she lost. Instead, she carried herself with quiet pride. I learned that real dignity comes from within, not from titles or status."
Pangalawa raw, "Life is Unpredictable."
"She never imagined that retirement would look like this. Life, she said, doesn’t always follow the script we write. Her message wasn’t one of fear, but of preparation and gratitude—live humbly, save when you can, and never take your current position for granted."
Pangatlo, "Learning Never Ends."
"Even now, she told me she’s still learning. 'Every day,' she said, 'I meet people I wouldn’t have talked to in my old life. I’ve learned more about life from the streets than I did in any staff room.' That humility reminded me that education is a lifelong journey."
At pang-apat, "Service Can Take Many Forms."
"Though she's no longer in a classroom, she still shares stories, encourages kids she meets, and offers advice when asked. She hasn’t stopped being a teacher—she's just teaching in a different way now. She reminded me that we can serve others no matter our role or position."
Nagbigay pa si Clarisse ng kaniyang "final thought" tungkol sa engkuwentro niya sa dating school principal.
"From her, I learned that while life can change in unexpected ways, character, humility, and purpose endure."
"Her story reminded me to treat everyone with respect—because behind every face is a story far richer than we might guess.
Those students who still remember her, if you can, please send help."
"Although she's not asking for it, but as the saying goes 'Ang paggawa ng mabuti ay walang maidudulot na masama.'"
Sa eksklusibong panayam ng Balita kay Clarisse, napag-alamang si Barcelo ay nakatira ngayon sa Barangay San Juan, Morong, Rizal.
Bagama't naging positibo ang post ni Clarisse, aminado siyang nangangailangan ng tulong-pinansyal si Barcelo dahil wala na siyang ibang kasama sa bahay kundi ang isang "ampon" na may mental problem din. Wala raw silang sariling kuryente, lutuan ng pagkain, at tubig. Dinadalhan na lamang daw sila ng lutong ulam at kanin ng mababait at matulungin nilang kapitbahay.
Batay pa raw sa kuwento ng mga kapitbahay ni Barcelo, naubos daw ng kasama ng dating school principal ang kaunting ipon mula sa retirement matapos ma-scam sa bansang India.
Simula noon, kaysa sa walang trabaho ay naghanap ng paraan si Barcelo para maitawid ang pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan, at ito nga ay pamamasura o kaya, pagtitinda sa palengke.
Wala na rin daw nag-alok sa kaniya ng trabaho kahit part-time college instructor o librarian dahil sa kaniyang edad.
"Sadly wala po eh. Mas preferred po siguro yung mas bata, kaya walang offer sa kaniya. Kaya she ended up sa pangangalakal and pagtulong-tulong minsan sa pagtitinda sa palengke," saad ni Clarisse.
"Patay na lahat ng kapatid niya din kaya yung ampon na lang ang kasama niya."
Matapos i-post ang tungkol sa kalagayan ni Barcelo ay nagsimula nang magpadala ng tulong ang mga kakilala at hindi kakilala para sa kaniya, sa pamamagitan ni Clarisse.
Sa mga nagnanais magpaabot ng kahit na anong tulong para kay Ma'am Elvira Barcelo, maaaring makipag-ugnayan sa Facebook page ni Clarisse.
