MILITARY ENTREPRENEUR: THE PFC ROMNICK CAMAYRA STORY
“A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work” – Colin Powell
Everything started with a DREAM…..
Romnick “Nico” Camayra came from a struggling family.Their family owns a communal land in which they grow crops for their own consumption for a period of time. This has been their family’s practice since then.Nico was the 2nd child of the 6 children in the family. As he could vividly recall, every Christmas Eve, due to the fact that they can’t afford buying presents, cooking/buying food for Noche Buena, he and his siblings would just go to a hilltop which they called “banglid” to just watch the fireworks which can be clearly seen from the town celebrating the occasion.
“A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work” – Colin Powell
At a young age Nico felt the difficulty of having less in life. And this had developed in him a strong desire to finish his studies so that he can help his parents as well as his siblings – whatever it takes.
Nico was a consistent honor student from elementary to high school and had excelled even in extracurricular activities. However, after he had graduated from high school, Nico had experienced one of the greatest turmoil of his life – his parents could no longer afford to send him to school.
Desperate…Disappointed…Nico went away from their home. He seeks employment for the purpose of proving his father that his decision of not sending him to school is a gesture of being irresponsible. He worked as a “kargador” to one of the soft drinks distributors in town. He experienced not having his wage for he has incurred damages and would even still pay for his employer for the numerous soft drinks bottles which were broken accidentally.
Unfazed by the situation, Nico continued to persevere so that he can gather the necessary amount to get him to his dream- to be enrolled in college.
Out of the little saving he has from his job, he enrolled in college and took up BS Agriculture and not getting any support from his parents. Impossible as it may seem, Nico focused on his dreams. He refused to believe that he will be a “kargador” nor poor forever.
Hardship…perseverance…dreams, Nico started to pursue in an entrepreneurial endeavor while still in school.. He surveyed their family owned land and found out that they have substantial land ready for growing crops. With his knowledge learned in school, he decided to cultivate the land. He planted eggplants, tobacco, banana, corn, okra, squash, pepper, mongo seeds, kadios, rice etc.
Every day was challenge for Nico.Every morning, he made sure that he is already awake even before the rooster crows, to tend for his carabao, water his crops and gather some woods. Only after doing these chores that Nico can go to his class. Every day, he has to walk for almost 2kms. In going to school just to save on transportation.
After 2 months of cultivating their land, Nico’s first harvest were ready. Nico sold his harvest to his classmates, teachers and to other people he knew. This has been his routine for almost 4 years.
At last, the most awaited time has come, his graduation day. Nico got his college diploma from West Visayas College of Science and Technology – Leon Campus.
For lack of opportunity in his chosen profession, Nico entered the AFP(Armed Forces of the Philippines). But despite his full-time job, he still managed to run the family farm which made him to send his other siblings to school.
As of this writing, 2 of his siblings had already earned a degree, and the other 1 is currently taking up BS Agriculture. He also put up his own house and still managed his farm which he already expanded through the years. He is now supplying various carenderia in their town and distribute his harvest to various resellers in the municipal market.
“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world” – Harriet Tubman
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Contributor: Jasmine Grace Dominguez,is a graduate of BS Operations Management at the Universityof St La salle- Bacolod .Currently working at Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology(NONESCOST) as a College Instructor and Bookstore Manager of the school..
He’s been through a great deal of struggles yet he never gave up. A very inspiring story indeed.
As we say,the time, the sweat,the devotion and the execution.IT PAYS OFF!!
It wasa pleasure reading this story . this may serve as a lesson to all of us . T’was truly a wonderful story …
Thank you Salinas 🙂
Dreams do come true, no matter how hard and difficult life is as long as we strive and believe in ourselves.
Hope you were inspired 🙂
Dreams do come true, no matter how hard and difficult life is.
Thank you for taking your time in reading this story Ai 🙂
Inspiring story jasmine! Indeed, poverty is not a hindrance towards success.