Randy 'Jerome' Penides
An Ilonggo's hard work and determination makes it on TV
Randy Penides
K. Villalon Photo
"I did my work well as a houseboy and was determined to improve my life"
The life of Randy Penides, an Ilonggo houseboy turned account specialist for a medical company will be aired on "Maalaala Mo Kaya" soon.
Just recently, shooting of several scenes in Kevin Piamonte's house and the Iloilo National High School where Penides studied was done by the crew of ABS-CBN. Penides was also present to ensure that his life story is told as it is.
With Jerome (the letter sender from
Pototan, Iloilo) and Dora Jane Balleras,
an Ilongga theater actor who played
Yaya Lukring
While waiting for the takes to start, this writer was able to talk to Penides and he shared his life and his message to others.
Penides revealed that when he was only 11 years old, his sister fell from a tree and their family couldn't afford to pay for the treatment. Thus, his grandmother, who is the only well-off person in the family, paid for everything. In exchange, Penides had to work for her as a houseboy.
"I served her for 10 years. Despite the way she treated me (very strict), I was determined to work hard and finish my studies. My grandmother spent for my studies. I took up night class at the INHS," Penides said.
The Pison Ancestral Home residents
with Kuya Bodjie, CJ, and Ketchup
Eusebio
After graduating from high school, he took up Marine Engineering and later on proceeded to Drafting and Electronics at the West Visayas College of Science and Technology (WVCST) and the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) respectively. After graduating, he became a messenger for a law firm until he was referred to work at Medicus. He had been with the company for six years now.
"I thought that if I stayed on in Pototan, I'll end up harvesting sugarcane and farming. Even my siblings are in the same work until now," he said. "That is why I did my work well as a houseboy and was determined to improve my life."
Overhead shot of a take with CJ
(as the younger Jerome)
When he got married to Jean and they bore daughters named Maria Kheziah, Elizabeth Ann and Karynn Ann, they visited his grandmother and showed her how his life turned out.
Penides gives this advice to people who are struggling: "For houseboys, most especially, do not think of yourselves as mere servants. Keep on thinking that someday, your good work will be rewarded. Just ask your employers to give you enough time for your studies. Even if you sleep in school because you're tired, just make sure that you have studied."
Gina Parreno in one of the stairway shots
"Also, in order to stay in your respective jobs, be hard workers and do not answer back to your employers. If you don't work hard and you don' t have determination, you don't have a future," he said.
Penides said that what the television network will pay him will be used to buy stocks at Medicus. "Since I can't be a manager, I could be a stockholder," he concludes with a smile.