From drug-junkie to BPO employee

Former American President Abraham Lincoln said, "All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother." Such is the case for Marlon Lozada.

Like hundreds of other teenage boys in small town Bacong, Bago City, Marlon dropped out of college due to financial problems. Soon after, he then found himself juggling odd jobs as a truck helper and as a farm hand in a sugarcane farm to supplement the family’s meager income. 

Having the brunt of responsibilities on his shoulders, Marlon found temporary relief in drugs. However, it didn’t take an intervention for Marlon to quit taking drugs. His mother’s look of disappointment was more than enough for him to give it up altogether.

Marlon was determined to change his life so when his mother introduced him to BagoSphere, he enrolled without hesitation. With the help of DSWD, Marlon had his chance to make his mother proud. But it wasn’t all a walk in the park for Marlon. He faced resistance from his extended family, telling him that he would never pass the training much less get a job in a BPO. 

Marlon recalls how he battled with self-esteem, English speaking, and was even afraid to touch the computer. Yet, Marlon’s resolve and determination to succeed proved everyone wrong. He put a lot of effort in training and eventually his hard work paid off and bore fruit. Even his typing speed improved from a measly 9 WPM to a whopping 41 WPM. By the end of the training, Marlon was hired by a BPO.

Marlon’s life is now worlds apart from what it used to be. Through hard work and determination, he has completely changed the course of his life. He shares that it brings him so much joy to be able to provide for his family and that one of the most memorable moments of his life is seeing his mother’s smile when she heard that he had been hired. Marlon proudly credits his success to his mother. 

Written by: Din Sevilla