The Bigtime Story of Ronald Costales - CHairman and co-founder of COSTALES NATURE FARMS part 1

Summary

This inspiring story follows Ronald, a man who overcame hardship to achieve success. From being a jeepney conductor and barker in his youth to becoming a Magna Cum Laude graduate in computer engineering, Ronald's journey is a testament to resilience. Despite financial struggles and personal setbacks, including the loss of his mother and the neglect of his father, he persevered. Working as a security guard, he funded his education, eventually earning a full scholarship. His determination led him to a career in the communications industry, proving that with hard work and faith, anyone can change their destiny.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ronald, despite being called a newscaster, journalist, and writer, considers himself primarily a storyteller focused on inspiring others to change their own fate through hard work.
• 😀 He highlights that success is not about luck or divine intervention but is within one’s control and determined by personal effort.
• 😀 Ronald's journey begins in a humble setting, with his family facing financial difficulties after his father's remarriage and the birth of additional siblings.
• 😀 Despite these challenges, Ronald took on multiple jobs early on, working as a jeepney conductor, barker, and eventually becoming a jeepney driver to support his family.
• 😀 Ronald was able to graduate high school as class valedictorian, despite having no formal driver’s license and struggling financially to continue his studies.
• 😀 He faced a strong sense of humiliation and frustration from being unable to continue his education due to financial constraints, yet promised himself he would eventually go to college.
• 😀 In search of better opportunities, Ronald moved to Manila, worked as a security guard, and even forged a fake security license to get hired.
• 😀 When he turned 18, Ronald was able to get a legitimate security guard license and started working with a more reputable security agency, eventually assigned to the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP).
• 😀 At PUP, Ronald found a sign from God in the form of a rally where he was reassigned to guard the university, motivating him to pursue his dreams of education.
• 😀 He worked as a working student, paying for his tuition while sending money back to his family, and eventually earned a full academic scholarship due to his high grades.
• 😀 Ronald graduated from PUP with a degree in Computer Engineering, Magna Cum Laude, despite his father’s absence on his graduation day. His girlfriend, later his wife, Josie, was the one to pin his medal on him.

Q & A

What is the main message of Ronald's story?

Ronald's story highlights the power of hard work, perseverance, and education in overcoming adversity. Despite coming from a poor background, he worked multiple jobs, including as a jeepney driver and security guard, and eventually graduated magna cum laude, showing that success is within one's control, not reliant on luck or divine intervention.

How did Ronald manage to finish high school despite financial difficulties?

Ronald worked as a jeepney conductor and later as a barker and jeepney driver to support himself and his family. Despite financial challenges, he completed high school and even graduated as the class valedictorian, although he was unable to pursue college due to financial constraints.

Why did Ronald consider his inability to continue his studies as a setback?

Ronald felt that he had the potential to succeed academically but was hindered by his family's financial struggles. This feeling of limitation made him experience a sense of helplessness, especially when he saw his classmates progressing, while he could not afford to continue his education.

What role did Ronald's father play in his life, and how did it affect him?

Ronald’s father remarried and became more focused on his second family, which led Ronald to take on the responsibility of supporting his siblings. This situation caused emotional strain, but it also motivated him to push forward and seek a better future for himself and his family.

What was Ronald's experience like when he moved to Manila?

Ronald moved to Manila at the age of 17 to live with his uncle. He found work as a security guard, but due to the agency’s poor conditions, he had to buy a fake license to secure the job. His financial situation was tough, and he struggled with delayed salaries, sometimes having only one meal a day.

How did Ronald manage to enroll in college despite his financial struggles?

Ronald enrolled in the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) as a working student, using his earnings as a security guard to pay for his tuition. After maintaining high grades, he was awarded a full academic scholarship, which allowed him to complete his degree in computer engineering.

What did Ronald's achievements in college demonstrate about his character?

Ronald's achievements, including graduating magna cum laude and as the top student in his class, demonstrated his exceptional dedication, intelligence, and resilience. His story shows that success comes not just from innate ability but from hard work and persistence in the face of adversity.

How did Ronald's relationship with his father affect his graduation day?

Ronald's father did not attend his graduation, which was a source of emotional disappointment for him. Instead, his girlfriend, Josie, who later became his wife, placed the magna cum laude medal around his neck, symbolizing the support he received from those who believed in him.

What does Ronald's story say about the importance of family support?

Ronald’s story emphasizes that while biological family support can sometimes be lacking, the support from others—like his girlfriend and his siblings—can make a huge difference. His family, even if not always directly involved, provided emotional support, which helped him continue pursuing his goals.

What job did Ronald choose after graduating, and why?

After graduating, Ronald chose to work at Philippine Global Communications, attracted by the company's global reach and potential. He had multiple job offers but chose this one to advance his career and further develop his skills.