A Farmer's Son

Summary

D, Bata shares his inspiring journey from a rural Cagayan Valley upbringing without luxuries to becoming an engineer. His father's unwavering support and his own determination led him to study at Stanford University and eventually start a successful company. Bata's story highlights the Filipino spirit of resilience and the power of education, as he establishes 'Filev' to provide internet access and scholarships to students, envisioning a prosperous Philippines where success is within reach for all.

Takeaways

• 🌱 D, Bata grew up in a rural area in Cagayan Valley without modern amenities like electricity and telephones.
• 📚 His father was a farmer who prioritized D's education over helping with farm work, instilling the value of studying.
• 🏫 D faced challenges in high school, feeling inferior to his urban peers, but focused on his studies and developed a passion for engineering.
• 🎓 After graduating from UPUA, D moved to America to pursue a master's degree in engineering at Stanford University.
• 💡 He was initially intimidated by the perceived intelligence of others but compensated by studying harder and identifying opportunities in computer chip design.
• 🔄 D's first attempt at starting a company failed, but he didn't let that deter him; he tried again and succeeded.
• 💪 He attributes his success to the same will and determination that every Filipino possesses, highlighting the potential within the Filipino spirit.
• 🌐 The Philippines is recognized as one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia, yet a significant portion of the population still lives in poverty.
• 🏢 D started 'filev' with a vision to provide internet access to every school and scholarships to deserving students to ensure continuous learning.
• 🚀 The initiative aims to inspire thousands of young Filipinos to start companies that can create millions of jobs, fostering economic growth.
• 📈 D emphasizes that while he is not special, his determination is a trait shared by Filipinos and is key to achieving success and overcoming hardship.

Q & A

What is the name of the person narrating the transcript?

The person narrating the transcript is named D, Bata.

What was D, Bata's father's occupation?

D, Bata's father was a farmer.

How did D, Bata learn math in his early years?

D, Bata learned math by moving bamboo sticks, as there were no luxuries like modern educational tools.

What challenges did D, Bata face in his early education?

D, Bata faced challenges such as the lack of electricity and telephones, as well as the pressure to stop schooling after the sixth grade to help in the fields.

Why did D, Bata's father not want him to help in the fields?

D, Bata's father wanted a better life for him and made it clear that his job was to keep food on the table, while D, Bata's job was to study.

What was D, Bata's experience like in high school compared to his classmates?

D, Bata felt inferior in high school because his classmates were from the city, and he was the son of a farmer.

What did D, Bata do while his friends played basketball during high school?

While his friends played basketball, D, Bata studied, as he fell in love with engineering and wanted to build things.

Why did D, Bata move to America after graduating from UPUA?

D, Bata moved to America because there were no design jobs for engineers in the Philippines at the time.

What did D, Bata do after moving to America?

D, Bata applied for a master's in engineering at Stanford University.

What was the outcome of D, Bata's first attempt to start a company?

D, Bata's first attempt to start a company failed, but he did not give up and tried again.

What is the name of the initiative D, Bata started to support education in the Philippines?

D, Bata started an initiative called 'filev' to support education and entrepreneurship in the Philippines.

What is the vision behind the initiative 'filev'?

The vision behind 'filev' is to create a Philippines where every school has internet, deserving students are given scholarships, and thousands of young Filipinos start companies that hire millions more.

What does D, Bata believe about the potential of Filipinos based on his story?

D, Bata believes that his story could be anyone's story, emphasizing that Filipinos are not special but determined, and that success is possible despite hardships.