How this street dweller became a call center agent and changed his life

Invisible in broad daylight, people living on the streets watch as people walk by oblivious to their plight.

Danilo Macababbad lost his parents at an early age and began living on his own. But all he earned was P50 a day and, failing to make rent, Danilo found himself homeless and dropping out from schooling at Universidad de Manila, where he majored in Education.

He slept where he could and would try to get into malls just as it opens to wash his face before going out on the streets again.

He barely made enough to survive the day by delivering newspapers. Wandering the streets, he had to deal with the elements, hunger, and people's judgement. "'Yong tipong lalayo sila sa'yo, maaamoy nila minsan mabaho, walang lalapit sa'yo n'on," he said.

"Sobra, sobrang hirap, lalo na't hindi mo alam paano mabuhay sa kalsada, hindi mo alam kung saan ka tatambay, hindi mo alam kung makaka-survive ka pa sa isang araw or diyan ka na lang o baka isang araw na lang patay na ako," Danilo added.

Despite being met with repulsion, Danilo humbled himself and walked up to strangers to ask for scraps of food or a measly peso. Plenty of people look down on begging, but it was all Danilo could do to survive and, for him, it was better than going down the wrong path.

"Kahit kailan hindi ako gagawa ng masama, magnakaw o ano. Dumating man 'yong point na 'yon (na maisip ko) bakit hindi na lang kaya ako magnakaw para maging mas mabilis umangat 'yong buhay ko...kaso hindi e...imbis na pagtuunan ko 'yong mga pangrap ko sa buhay, ang magiging kalalagiyan ko sa selda," Danilo said.

Things began looking up for Danilo when headhunters began organizing job fairs with food caravans. Even without a resume in hand, they helped Danilo fill up a form and gave him a hot meal.

The recruiters were surprised at Danilo's communication skills and found his determination to get himself to a better place, inspiring. Still, Danilo wondered how they'd receive someone like him.

"(May) mga oras na teka, n'ong nasa kalsada ako tapos mag-aapply ako, ganito suot ko, ang baho na ng damit ko...Teka, tatanggapin pa kaya ako, tatagal kaya 'tong interviewer sa akin kapag ako ang kausap niya, papasa kaya ako dito?" he shared.

His fears quickly disappeared when he passed the test and he found himself with renewed faith. "Iniisip ko pala, dapat pala hindi ako nagdududa e, kasi kung alam mo 'yong mga strength mo, kung alam mo 'yong mga abilidad mo sa sarili, kung alam mo 'yong mga talento na mayroon ka, mga skills mo, magagamit mo 'yon e. Anything can happen," he said.

Luck kept smiling at Danilo as an office mate helped find a place for him to stay and gave him shoes and clothes to wear.

"Thank you dahil binigiyan niyo ako ng second chance, susulitin ko lahat ng binigay niyo. Tutuparin ko na ang mga pangarap ko, pagpupursigihan ko, lahat ng gagawin ko para maiahon ko ang sarili ko, para magtagal ako dito," Danilo declared.

Paying it forward, Danilo when he can shares food with homeless people he encounters on the street. He hasn't forgotten what it was like not to eat for a day or two and he has vowed to do his best in his new job so he can continue helping himself and others. — AT/LA, GMA News