Turning a year older yesterday, April 19, proved to be very meaningful for TV host Gretchen Ho, as she spent it with children in Bukidnon.
Ho explained why she chose to spend her birthday with the kids in her Instagram page today, April 20, where she shared photos of her and her siblings plus the kids, doing exercises before playing volleyball.
“My siblings and I have always wanted to do an outreach together. When Fr. Robbie asked us if we could give a talk about ‘dreams’ for his students in Bukidnon, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to start,” she said.
“Apart from my brilliant Uncle Charlie, we didn’t really grow up in a family of lawyers or doctors, nor was there anyone in the media. Just like any Chinese family, our parents had businesses,” she explained.
Ho shared that her dad “started from nothing” and sacrificed his sports dreams to be the family breadwinner, while her mom’s family had just a small botika (drug store) in Manila. She saw how her parents persevered in life, struggling in their business whenever new competitors or technology emerged. This is why their parents wanted her and her siblings to become professionals instead, because they hoped for more “stability” for their children.
“I’m grateful to my parents for pushing us into these [different] fields, for supporting us silently, even though they had no idea on how to guide us through the journey,” she said. “As ‘first generations of,’ we made sure we worked hard and made the most out of every opportunity given. We know we’re blessed to have even been afforded the opportunity to pursue our dreams.”
But Ho is most proud of sharing with her brothers the “public service calling.” Also, since her brothers are volleyball players as well, they were all able to provide tips during the volleyball clinic.
“Work hard. Dream on. Have confidence in yourself, no matter what the world says. Trust in the Lord’s calling for your life,” she advised the kids. JB
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