I wasted my opportunities in life

Dear Tita,

When my parents were alive, we owned a big farm and a big house. Being an only child, I was sent to an expensive private school and was given a car on my birthday. My father tried to teach me how to run our farm but I wasn't interested as I was enjoying myself going out with my barkada drinking in bars, and staying out all night.

Finally, I was kicked out of school when I was caught drinking inside the school premises and being absent frequently. It broke my father's heart to see me drop out of high school, but I still went on spending most of my time with my barkada.

Mulo, the son of our overseer, came to Bacolod to study and my parents took him to live with us while my father spent for his schooling. He made them very happy with his high grades and diligence in his college course. He was the one my father trained to run our farm. He graduated from his course and started working for a big company. By then, my parents had given up trying to reform me as I was drunk most of the time.

My father got sick with cancer and died after one year. My mother didn't last long and died six months later. I tried to run the farm myself but because I didn't know how to run it well, the bank foreclosed our farm and later on, even our house was foreclosed. I was jobless and penniless, with a wife and three kids to support.

Now, I see Mulo with a high-paying job, driving around in a late model car and living in a nice house. I deeply regret why I didn't make good use of all the opportunities my parents offered me. I hope my story will be a good lesson to your readers.

REGRETFUL SON

Dear Regretful Son,

Thank you for sharing your story with our readers.

I have seen similar situations in some well-to-do families here, whose children do not realize the value of education. Unlike properties, this is something you could never lose and will be of good use to you all your life.

It's unfortunate that you now realize how wrong you were to ignore your parents' admonitions. Mulo, the son of your overseer, is enjoying the good life due to his perseverance and diligence in his studies.

TITA