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Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Inspiring People No. 2 - Kevin Villanueva -"An Orphan's Gift For His Parents"


Kevin Villanueva
"People exit in our lives, sometimes for no apparent reasons. Death is the most difficult to accept. But when all else's gone, nothing but memory will keep us cherishing them. And the same joyful moments that will propel us to intensely chase and realize our dreams for them."

Facebook has been one of the most effective social medias that launches ordinary people into overnight celebrity. I had been a witness of many and some of them had shared a page in my blog through a feature-length story. 

I am proud that through my writings I can express my admiration and joy toward these people. Thus, inspiring me more to continue what I love to do - to write stories, more so of human interest stories.

Such is the case of another instant celebrity in Kevin Villanueva.

Eager to know his story? Ok, let me put this in a perspective of a stranger in me. I don’t have any connection with him as of yet. As of this writing, I just messaged him through his FB page and his personal account (which is already full of friends) and my attempt to add him up to know further his story failed.

So I will write this story of him based on the write-ups I gathered from different sources. I am fully aware as well that lots of bloggers and writers and even TV outfits had him interviewed.

Who would have thought that a single photo would gain instant positive raves and reactions from the online community. And out of that, Kevin Villanueva's life turned a 180-degree shift. A fame he never had dreamt of nor he had any idea that a photo intended as a salute to his parents would quickly elevate him into the elusive limelight. 

He is an orphan who was deprived by circumstances to enjoy the company of his parents until he accept his hard-earned college diploma. He was ten when he lost his mother and his father passed away last 2009.

The photo in Facebook captioned these terse statements:

"Akala nyu kayo lang ang may picture kasama parents nyu ha :)) pero ma, pa, this is for both of you. I hope that you are proud of me.

His only intention was just to show the world how he loved and valued his parents. But little did he knew that it'll hit a number of shares and likes in Facebook. Its continuous shares amazed him. 

Allow me to share with you few of the many encouraging words Kevin had received out of this random act of salutation to his parents. 

A certain Edward Amba De Guzman wrote: 

This is the most astonishing and exquisite picture I've ever seen, Kevin! Indeed, your parents are so proud of you! Good job! 

Allen Espinosa had his remarks: 

Awww. Very touching. It moved me. I'm sure they are very happy that your finally done with your studies. Keep living their dream for you. Congratz! 

A relative named Joyce De Castro Villareal commented: 

Even though, they are not with you anymore, Kevs. You betcha, they are proud of you. Even though they are done being your physical parents, now their new roles is for them - being your guardian angels. Tita and Tito may not be with you right now, but they are watching you always, keeping you safe. And you betcha, that if - even if they are still there, they will make handa and prepare lots fo food, and gather all your loved ones. And even set a karaoke place outside the house, because that's how they love you, and how much they are proud of you. Not only on your studies, but in your life. They are proud of you, because even through all these tough times, you have been strong. And we are proud of you!

There were hundreds and now reaching to thousands comments in his photo. All raving praises and congratulations to him for displaying such an act worthy of emulations of our modern youths of today. 

A young and promising man, who despite losing both his treasured parents never gave up on his dreams. Through hardships and surpassing those hardships, he showed the world that a dream if passionately pursued, God will never run out of His ways to let us carry on and achieve it.
Kevin while he accepts his hard-earned college diploma in Colegio De San Juan De Letran
He never let his down times consumed him instead he capitalizes on these trials to push harder and achieve his degree.

The message that Kevin's story wanted to send across is that 'tough people who survive do so because they have learned to react positively to their predicaments. They don't give up. They managed their problem creatively and constructively - and they succeed.' It is in the exercise of dynamic and creative imagination. It provokes us to dream and inspires us to execute our dreams. 

May all of our younger generations won't lose their youthful exuberance. May they won't easily squabble, whine, bicker, or complain when hardship tests them. But instead be challenged by the tests of time. And may they produce the positive attitude as their leaning shield against the forces of negativity and circumstantial difficulties. 

It is because in life, tough times don't last but tough people do. 

KUDOS to you Kevin Villanueva. Keep the passion for doing good burning and the zeal of your dreams flaming. 

To get to know more of him, please pay a visit to his official Facebook page Kevin Villanueva  and his official Facebook profile Kevin Villanueva

P.S.  page All photos were taken from his account, therefore all the credits goes to him.

37 comments:

  1. I was thinking of blogging about him too. I saw it on Daily Inquirer and was deeply moved. Was crying when he asked an MMDA officer for pamasahe so he can get to his sick father in the hospital. Thing like this is really heart-wrenching for me.

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  2. I need to clear my throat first. WOW ...very touching. nakaka proud. congrats KEVIN VILLANUEVA.the photo also caught my attention in his FB page and His story actually has similarities with my elementary fren

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  3. Thank you for sharing. Kevin is really homazing! :D

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  4. isa talagang inspirasyon ang bata na to. sana'y tularan sya ng mga kabataan ngayon lalo na yung mga tamad mag-aral

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  5. woooot u almost make me cry daddy jay. haiz. i can relate sa mga pinagdadaan niya, its not that i am an orphan but i lost a loved one already. but life has to go on, still chasing that dreams.

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  6. Kevin is one of the thousand proofs that education is the main priority talaga. :)

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  7. Ahh yes nakita ako na po ito sa FB, at indeed this is very amazing photo and very inspirational lalo na nung nabasa ko yung caption. :) Thanks for sharing this po! :)

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  8. very inspiring! a total lifter of soul!

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  9. Another inspiration. He deserved to be recognized. Thanks Jay for sharing.
    Very touching!

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  10. Sino nga bang hindi matatats dito. T_T

    picture pa lang kahit walang caption tagos na sa puso.


    Nakakainspire. Sana mainspire pa lalo ang mga estudyante sa pag-abot ng kanilang mga pangarap. Mainspire sa pagpapagal ng mga magulang para makapagtapos at makapag aral sila.

    Naway makita ng mundo ang lesson at pagmamahal sa picture na ito :)

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  11. Dahil sa picture na yan ni Kevin, naging viral tuloy siya hehe :))

    Very inspiring story indeed. Isang huwarang estudyante na dapat pamarisan ng lahat. Hindi sumuko sa hamon ng buhay :))

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  12. Manong Unyol - Yup, tearjerker story. Pero after the tears comes inspiration kaya ok pa din. :))

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  13. I was touched when I first saw this pic on FB... I cried pa yata... You know me... I am a crybaby... eh cute pa si koya, so mas may haplos sa puso...hihihihihi

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  14. nakaka touch naman yan jay! napaka heartfelt nung sinabe nya!
    he sure deserves to be included in this list!
    and for sure his parents were beyond happy up there

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  15. Saw his picture in Facebook. Moving Dad.
    Definitely, he did not only makes his parents proud and happy abt this but all those people who saw his picture and message.,

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  16. nakaka inspire naman talaga ang buhay nya Mr. J.
    nakaka kurot din ng damdamin ang pag papapic nya sa puntod ng parents nya...
    I'm sure kung san man andon ang parents nya super proud sila sa accomplishments nya :)

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  17. Ate Malou - That moment in the bus also had me holding my tears - very moving. He had showed how he loved his father that even without the fare he still negotiated just to catch his ailing father. Epic!

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  18. Jei Son - while reading some articles about him lump in my throat won't go away. Only to realize I was already shedding some tears.

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  19. LJ - Jay, thank you. Such an inspiration story he had.

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  20. Bino - Sana talaga magising yung mga tamad magsunog ng kilay.

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  21. Lala - Wow, sana tinuloy mo na ang pag iyak Lala para di naman masikip sa dibdib. It's ok to pour your heart out. I completely understand you kung maiyak ka man since you've lost a dear family member already.

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  22. Michy - You're exactly right Mich! Without education we can't really advance in life.

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  23. Pao - Super nakaka inspire talaga ang mga stories na ganito anak. Kaya sana one day ikaw naman ang isulat ko as one of the inspiring people in my blog. Well, the fact that you are who you are is an inspiration already.

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  24. POY - Absolutely, after reading his story you'll be provoked to challenge yourself and continue dreaming. Thanks for dropping by :))

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  25. Moises (Bagotilyo) - Sana nga talaga ang ibang mga estudyante na di seryoso sa studies ay magising through Kevin's example. :))

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  26. Fiel - Kakaiba siya kasi despite losing both his parents he didn't show the world that he's weak and that he cannot move on. Instead, he capitalizes on the loss and emerged victorious.

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  27. Mommy Joy - Super nakaka uplift ng soul, especially dun sa mga nade desperate.

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  28. Senyor - Yeah, You're tough outside but a cry baby inside.

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  29. Mecoy - Exactly mecoy, kaya those who easily give up on their problems have no reasons at all. They should emulate Kevin's example.

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  30. June - He inspire multitudes. He just proved that having less in life isn't a hindrance, it takes a passionate heart and a willing spirit to achieve life's dreams. And Kevin proved just that.

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  31. Genskie - Oo nga, kahit wala na both ang parents niya nagsumikap pa rin siya at pinatunayan niya na kahit 6 feet below the ground na sila, he still have high hopes and dreams for them.

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  32. nakita ko rin to sa FB at napa- aaaaawww na lang ako.. nakakaproud talaga pag may ganyan kang anak.. im sure his parents were so happy and proud of him ;)

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  33. - Arline (Pink LIne) - Nakaka awww talaga noh? He's such a strong person to have surpassed his trials. And of course God is with him always.

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  34. Nagkaroon ako ng inspirasyon dito, bilang isang mag-aaral, ang tulad niya'y halimbawa ng mga estudyanteng kahanga hanga.

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  35. Anthony - Wow, that's nice to hear. At times, our life is clouded with doubts and despair, initially we somehow feel lost but the grace of God is way bigger than our problems. Thanks for the comment.

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  36. galing po tito jay^^ one of the amazing story na nabasa ko.

    "God promise pain it cannot be meaningless"

    Kudos to you Sir Kevin Villanueva.

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  37. i'm so inspired with this story about kevin..ang hirap mawalan ng magulang ,i'm so proud to kuya kevin ,your the who prioritized the whole world because your the one who give the essence of being educated person without your parents beside you during your graduation....we love kuya kevin

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