impaired my health, and the following year, I was taken by my father to San Juan de Letran as an intern. I
"I was born a poor man, the son of a school teacher in one of the smallest towns in the Philippines--
Baler. My father had, besides his salary, a two-hectare rice-land which he cultivated. While I was a boy
and during my early youth, my father saved as much as he could from his meager salary and from what he
could get from his rice-field, only to have a few hundred pesos with which to give me an education. During
those Spanish days, a Filipino family could live in a small town on four pesos a month and a supply of rice.
Thus, did my family live for years. When I was at the age of five, an aunt of mine started to teach me to
instruction. At the age of nine, I was brought by my father to Manila and began my secondary education
read and write. My own father and mother, and the priest of the town later gave me my primary
at San Juan de Letran College. First, I lived in the Convent of San Francisco serving as a room-and-mess
boy for one priest, receiving no salary, except board and room. Then, my father moved me to the house of
an aunt where for some pesos, I roomed and boarded. The house was located in Paco, too far from the
Walled City for him who could only use his own feet as a means of transportation. My classes started at
seven o'clock in the morning and I had to get up very early to reach my classes on time. Again, this
en, answer the questions that follow. Do this in one whole sheet of paper.
on's autobiography taken from his privilege
remained as an intern until I graduated as A.B. with the highest honors. By this time, the savings of my
father had all been spent on my education. He owed money, and simply told me that I had to stop my
studies unless I could work my way through university education. I came to Manila and spoke to my
Dominican professors, who, by this time, had become very fond of me, and told them of my situation. I
wanted to be a lawyer, but could not pay for my expenses. They secured a position for me as one of the
helpers in the University of Santo Tomas with room and board and free tuition. Thus, I was able to take u
the study of law."
Source: http://www.quezon.ph/familyinfo/autobiography-of-manuel-l-quezon-from-a-privilege-speech
Questions:
1. Are you inspired by his journey in the pursuit of his dream?
2. What do you think was his purpose in sharing this part of his life to his audience?
3. How did his story affect your personal views about your studies and your dreams?
from Nuezon's autobiography​