Some people enter the world with lives wrapped in privilege—complete families, steady support, and dreams within easy reach. Others must claw their way forward, battling hardship with nothing but grit and hope.
Now in his early 20s, Hilbert John Barrido belongs to the second kind—those who start with nothing but choose to rise in life.
Barrido, a resident of Purok 2, Barangay San Antonio in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, recently earned his degree—Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, major in Crop Science from Central Philippines State University (CPSU) in Kabankalan City.
As the second of three siblings, he never knew an easy road, but he walked it anyway.
Since Grade 3, he lived without the guidance and presence of his biological parents. Though they remained alive, they stayed distant, leaving him to navigate life’s challenges largely on his own.
“I struggled financially with my studies since I don’t have parents to support my education, and I am the only one supporting my studies,” Hilbert shares, voicing the pain and pressure of growing up without a stable support system.
His grandmother stepped in to raise him and his siblings, carrying the burden that his parents left behind.
“Actually, I have been a product of a broken family since I was in grade three, and my grandmother took all the responsibility in the absence of my parents. My parents are still alive but absent with their presence,” he adds, revisiting the ache that never left him.
“My parents are still alive but absent in their presence,” Hilbert said, revealing a deep emotional void that shaped his early years.
On a tightrope
Throughout college, Barrido pushed himself to survive. He and his siblings found ways to cover his tuition and daily expenses without any financial help from their parents.
He even worked in sugarcane fields under the scorching sun. He carried heavy loads, pulled weeds, and took on any labor that paid—even if it left him exhausted.
“At times, I went to my boarding house with a single penny in my pocket—just enough for my transportation. I suffered a lot of hardships because I knew I could get through this situation. I managed to survive with all my problems and challenges when I was studying at CPSU-Main Campus,” he said.
Despite the exhaustion, he never let poverty define his future. He believed he could—and would—finish his studies.
“If you want to finish your studies, of course there are trials and hindrances that may come along the way,” he said.
Despite the difficulties, Barrido still finds the strength to remind others to cherish what he has longed for his entire life. “Be grateful that you have your parents beside you, supporting you,” he said, speaking from a place of deep experience.
Giving Back
Barrido let hardship close his heart. While he studied and worked to survive, he also gave back to others. He poured portion of his time and energy into the Hope Builders Organization Negros Island Incorporated (HBONI), and joined their local volunteer program where he taught children reading and writing at San Antonio Elementary School in Himamaylan.
“Through HBONI, I make a contribution to my community by sharing my knowledge and skills with the children to enhance their reading and writing skills at San Antonio Elementary School. HBONI changed me to be confident when it comes to speaking in front of people,” Barrido shared, reflecting on how giving helped him grow.
He showed up not just as a student, but as a mentor—someone who refused to let his hardships define him, and instead used them to uplift others.
“It taught the value of making someone a hero from zero,” he said.
Barrido didn’t wait for better days—he built them, one choice, one job, and one act of service at a time.
He didn’t just survive—he gave, he led, and he bloomed.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a blog on Medium.