This janitor used to sleep in an abandoned train station and steal food. Now, he’s a beloved professor • PhilSTAR Life

Life began with severe hardship for Ethan Hernandez, enduring nights sleeping in an abandoned train station and even a night in jail for stealing food. These were the difficult realities of his early life, experiences that could easily define a person. Yet, Hernandez defied these circumstances. He meticulously built a different future for himself, growing into a beloved professor and content creator who now proudly owns his own house and car.

From an early age, Hernandez, born into a farming family, understood the harsh realities of a tough life.

To finish his final year in high school, he had to work as a dishwasher and cleaner at a small canteen in his province and take up a part-time job packing bread in a local bakery. The demanding schedule meant Hernandez became well-acquainted with hard work and responsibility far earlier than most of his peers.

"Mas naipaintindi nito sa akin 'yung talagang hirap ng buhay at mas tumibay 'yung loob ko. Kasi 'yung sa pagbabalot ng tinapay at pagdi-dishwasher, physical lang 'yung kalaban ko dun eh," he said.

"Pero marami pa actually akong pinagdaanan, and kasama doon, of course, 'yung mental health. Maaring kung hindi ako na-prepare doon sa early na pagbabalot ko ng tinapay at pagdi-dishwasher, probably ay sumuko na ako along the way," he added.

Growing up in hardship

Earning enough as a dishwasher and cleaner proved insufficient for Hernandez's tuition. To cover his fees, he took on additional roles as a janitor and house help for the owner of a private school.

When asked how he managed to balance his demanding work schedule with his accountancy studies in Naga, Hernandez shared that he didn't view it as a balancing act at all.

"Kahit papaano, may nasa-sacrifice. Nasacrifice 'yung aking time sa paglalaro, time for social life. It has to be sacrificed kasi walang ibang choice. So it's a matter of pagpaprioritize ng mas kailangan," he said.

"Even nung college ako and even nung high school, wala akong masyadong kaibigan, kaya medyo iba 'yung tingin sa akin," he continued. "They don't know the real struggle na kailangan mo bang unahin yung paggagala, or unahin mo yung pambayad mo sa tuition mo, 'yung pagkain mo."

Thoughts about being born into this kind of lifestyle went through his mind several times, but he emphasized that he couldn't blame his parents, as they're also victims of poverty.

"Kung titignan 'yung buong pagkatao ko, malaki ang naging role ng aking parents. Otherwise, kung hindi maganda 'yung environment ko o 'yung pagpalaki ng magulang ko sa akin, I don't think ay mararating ko rin kung anong meron ako ngayon," he said.

The spark that changed everything

Hernandez experienced what he calls the "lowest point" in his life when he was driven to steal food one day due to intense hunger. Things didn't end well for him as he was caught by authorities and had to spend 24 hours in jail.

"Imagine, kasama mo 'yung mga adik-adik sa loob ng selda, 'yung kanilang pananalita iba. 'Yung environment mabaho, mapanghe sa loob ng selda, malamok, humihiga sa sahig," Hernandez recalled.

"Doon ko mas naramdaman 'yung pagiging unfair ng buhay, na kailangan mong makulong dahil lang sa gusto mo lang naman kumain, gusto mo lang namang humaba 'yung buhay mo, maka-survive ka kahit isang araw," he continued.

In a teary-eyed moment, Hernandez highlighted that he holds no regrets that difficult period, believing it was a low point God used to steer him in a new direction.

"Doon sa school kasing pinagtrabahuan ko, takot na takot akong umalis that time kasi dahil bata pa ako, ang palagay ko noon wala na akong ibang pwedeng puntahan, so wala akong choice kundi magtiis doon sa school. So wala akong lakas ng loob na umalis, wala akong lakas ng loob na humanap ng bagong opportunity," he said.

"Noong nakulong ako, doon sa akin ipinaramdam sa akin ni Lord na, 'You have to leave that school, you have to leave that place kasi may maganda akong plano for you.' So biglang nagkaroon ako ng lakas ng loob na umalis," he added.

Ischool was challenging, his home life presented even greater difficulties; his parents' struggled with vices and conflicts compelled him to become independent.

"'Yung father ko that time ay nagsasabong and then my mother is nagsusugal. So 'yung bisyo, nagre-resulta sa away, inuman. Nag-aaway sila palagi. Minsan nag blo-blotteran pa sila sa barangay. So 'yung impact sa amin psychologically, it's really hard. Wala kami magawa kundi umiyak lang sa isang tabi while they are fighting each other," Hernandez said.

With a determined mindset, Hernandez packed his bag and applied for college in Manila.

During his trip, he first went to Los Baños, where some of his relatives lived, but he chose not to stay with them as he didn't want to be a burden. With no other places to stay in, he had to sleep in an abandoned train station near the market.

"Napakabaho at napakaraming lamok. May mga aso pa na galisin. For two weeks, I lived like that, bathing from a public tap at night kapag walang tao," Hernandez said.

"I couldn't imagine then that I experienced that. But 'yung sabi ko sa sarili ko that time, hindi ako pwedeng mabigo. Nandito na ako, hindi ako pwedeng bumalik, hindi ako pwedeng umatras sa laban. 'Yun 'yung pinanghawakan ko na dapat every move na gagawin ko ay very wise. Kaya sabi ko, kung ito ay kailangan kong maranasan, and matulog dito, ay gagawin ko," he stressed.

Building a better future

With his salary, Hernandez knew it was still not enough to cover his college application fees. Determined, he printed out letters requesting scholarship consideration.

"I am poor, but rich [in] enthusiasm and perseverance to materialize all my dreams. I want to change my life, but I can't afford to finance my studies knowing that education is the best tool to realize all my ambitions," he wrote in his letter.

He noted that he was "ready to serve 24 hours" if it was the only way to grant his request.

After sending copies to schools such as the University of Santo Tomas, De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila University, Colegio de Los Baños, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, TRACE College, and Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Hernandez finally received a reply from the University of the Philippines Los Baños.

A lawyer from the school who was "kind beyond words" reached out to him and helped him take the UPLB entrance exam and field test. He eventually passed the exam and interview, and with the chancellor’s blessing, he was admitted.

While Hernandez originally wanted to study business, he was instead offered a slot in Forestry.

"That was the first time I heard that course, and I wasn't excited actually nung narinig ko 'yun. Sabi ko, 'Huh? Ano yun? Forestry?'" he admitted.

However, he eventually fell in love with the program as he was immersed in it, so much so that he graduated cum laude by the end of his college journey.

"Iba 'yung naramdaman ko nung kinukuha ko yung mga courses na 'yun. Sabi ko, 'This is really for me.' Kasi yung line-up, nag-aral kami ng mga halaman, we identify 'yung trees, and even kung paano ibigay 'yung mga exams, kakaiba," Hernandez shared.

"And then 'yung feeling na malaki 'yung role na ginagampanan mo, lalo na ngayon amidst climate change. Foresters talaga ;yung profesyon na inaasahan to fight climate change. So doon ako na-fall in love sa ganung aspeto," he added.

Throughout his college years, he still worked part-time. After attending classes from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., he would then work at Jollibee, often from 5 p.m. until midnight, and sometimes as late as 1 a.m.

He would come home by 1:30 a.m., but since he still had to study, he would often sacrifice sleep just so he could keep up with his classes. While acknowledging his unhealthy lifestyle back then, Hernandez made an effort to balance it by eating nutritious food.

"Hindi ako pwedeng magkasakit, kasi kapag nagkasakit ako ay end of the game na. So talagang iniwasan ko 'yung sarili ko na magkasakit. Very particular ako sa mga kinakain ko. Ayaw ko ng mga masama sa kalusukan kasi doon na lang ako bumabawi. Tinitira ako na nga 'yung sarili ko na lagi ako nagpupuyat, lagi ako nagtatrabaho tapos titirahin ko pa sa pagkain? So very wise ako sa pagkain ko," he explained.

Achieving comfort

Looking back, Hernandez's current life is a remarkable transformation from his beginnings. He was hired as an instructor at UPLB, and after earning a master's degree in Korea, he was later promoted to assistant professor. His increased salary allowed him to buy a house, a car, and on with being a content creator focused on plants, nature, and the environment, with nearly one million followers.

Now, Hernandez balances his teaching profession with his role as a content creator, where he shares his passion for plants, nature, and the environment.

When asked how he feels now that his hard work has paid off, Hernandez said, "Napakasaya. Minsan nga kapag naaalala ko 'yung mga nakaraan, minsan naiyak na lang ako kasi that time ang hirap kong kumain sa labas. Minsan kapag kakain ako sa labas, natatry ko 'yung mamahaling pagkain na dati hindi ko naman nagagawa, mapapaiyak na lang ako. 'Yung iyak na 'yun ay tears of joy."

"Kapag nakakita ko 'yung bahay ko nakatayo—sarili kong bahay, hindi inutang—napakasaya sa pakiramdamm na kaya naman pala basta seryoso ka, may drive ka na maabot yun."

For Hernandez, the key lies in actively seeking opportunities, even when they appear to be absent. He believes that even in the most challenging circumstances, there are always avenues for growth if one is determined to find them.

"Kung walang oportunidad, maghanap ng oportunidad. Minsan hindi ako masyado naniniwala na hindi sila nagtagumpay because of the lack of opportunities. Ako, wala rin akong opportunity at that time, pero hinanap ko 'yung opportunity. You just have to be persistent."

"Mahalaga 'yung lakas ng loob. Kapag may humihingi ng advice sa akin, sabi ko, 'Lakasan ng loob ang labanan.' Even if you have a lot of opportunities, kapag wala kang lakas ng loob, mapapariwala ka rin eh," he added.