NETHERLANDS - A young Filipino wants to set an example for his compatriots in the Netherlands by pursuing higher education to succeed in today’s highly competitive world.
For John Paul Flores, it was worth burning the midnight oil because he finally achieved his dream of obtaining a Masters Degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Delft University of Technology.
His family and friends were so happy that they organized a picnic to celebrate his success.
But nobody could be prouder than his mother Lita, who, as a single parent, toiled hard to support Flores.
“Very proud po dahil hindi pala sagabal ang kahirapan ng isang tao at sa pagiging nag-iisang magulang nila dito sa Netherlands na makapagpatapos ng isang anak,” Lita said.
The Pinay added that parents can only do so much to encourage their children to finish their education.
Lita said that among her children, John Paul is the only one who finished college and pursued a master degree.
“Itinaguyod ko sila, nag-iisa akong nagtatrabaho. Gayunpaman nasa anak ko pa rin kaya siya nakatapos dahil kung hindi siya nagpursige wala din. Kaya nasa sa anak din, patnubay lang ng magulang,” Lita said.
The road to higher education was not smooth for the 28-year-old Pinoy.
Even if he secured a scholarship for his masters, Flores still needed to split his day as a working student for Heerema Marine Contractors and KLM Airlines in order to finance all his expenses.
“Nakita ko po yung hirap ng mga kapatid ko ngayon kasi hindi sila nagtapos. So talagang dapat silang mag-work with their hands and I thought kung gusto ko pong umasenso kailangan ko pong mag-invest sa aking studies,” Flores added.
But all the hardships such as tightening his belt and putting his social and love life on hold paid off because immediately after his masters, KLM offered Flores a permanent contract as a supply chain engineer, supervising 4 people.
Flores also serves as a role model for the youth in The Hague.
“I’ve known JP for a long time, so we always talk about our academic career. Now that he finally finished his masters, it has absolutely given me more inspiration to achieve mine as well,” friend Paolo Tomas said.
Many high school graduates here lose interest to go to a university because many are lured by the prospects of earning money at an early age.
“Kung may chance akong makatapos din syempre gusto kong matapos din. Kung mas bata ako ngayon, syempre sasabihin ko sa kanila na tapusin nila dahil mahirap ang competition dito sa Holland,” Flores’ elder brother Ron said.
Flores said that it isn’t enough anymore to get a Bachelors’ Degree due to the stiff and intense competition among job seekers and the rigid standard set by employers as part of the accelerated trend towards globalization.
He added that gaining higher education will help secure a person’s brighter future in this global economy.
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