The 5 Most “Uncommon” Professions In The Philippines As Told By Unique Professionals

Ask a student what they want to be when they grow up and you’d probably end up with lawyers, doctors, marketing professionals, engineers, teachers, and the like. But ask what they originally wanted to be when they were kids and the answers would certainly be not as straightforward.

But what if these seemingly odd jobs is actually one’s day job? Here are some unique stories of professionals who made a career in the most uncommon fields.

Reymundo Caro, chiropractor, 47

For 20 years now, Rey works as a chiropractor, a profession that uses hands-on spinal manipulation to align the body’s skeletal structure to relieve illnesses such as inquiries, back and neck pain.

How did you get into this kind of job?

May tito kasi ako noon na may hika tapos sinabi ko sa kanya na pag-aralin nya ako ng medisina para mapagaling ko sya. Kaya lang, mahal mag medisina kaya pinag-aral nalang nya ako ng chiropractor.

What has been your best experience?

Ininvite ako ng anak ng mayor ng Quezon sa kasal nya. Noong nandun na ako, tinanong nya ako kung naaalala ko ba sya tapos sinabi kong hindi. Kaya nagpakilala sya at sabi nya, siya yung pinagaling ko sa scoliosis noong bata sya.

 

Esmeraldo Tolomia, septic tank (pozo negro) cleaner, 77

Ka Esmer has been working as a septic tank cleaner for more than 20 years. While others may cringe at the thought of having this as a job, Ka Esmer is one proud professional for being able to provide for his family in a clean way, pun intended.

Why is your job important?

Katulad sa katawan natin, hindi mo masasabing maganda ang isang bahay kapag may bara ito. Kung maganda nga ang bahay mo pero hindi naman maayos ang palikuran, aayawan mo din iyan. Kaya kahit napapalaban ako sa dumi sa araw-araw kong trabaho, proud ako dahil binubuhay ko ang pamilya ko sa malinis na paraan.

 

Vergel Montemayor, mascot, 30

For five years, Vergel has been around many malls in Luzon wearing heavy costumes of different cartoon and movie characters.

Which costume do you wear often and how does it feel inside?

Si Scrat (the squirrel in the movie Ice Age), Alvin the Chipmunks at Caltex. Kapag nasa loob ka, mabigat na mainit. Kapag nga kapag tinatanggal ko yung costume ko, tumutulo talaga yung pawis ko.

What is your reason for staying in this job for five years?

Di lang naman ito ang trabaho ko. Sa umaga, rider ako sa isang Korean restaurant. Pero, kapag may schedule ng mascot, talagang inuuna ko kasi mahal ko itong trabahong ito. Masarap mag-mascot lalo na kapag nakikita ko ang mga bata na tuwang-tuwa. Palagi nila akong nilalapitan at niyayakap.

 

Feliciano Pascual, cemetery caretaker (supulturero), 46

A lot of people would not believe that someone actually lives inside a cemetery. But for Feliciano who spends most of his life taking care of the dead, there is nothing extraordinary or even frightening about it.

How do you feel about your job?

Pinamana ng tatay ko sa akin ang trabahong ito at ito na ang bumuhay sa akin at sa pamilya ko sa loob ng 30 taon kaya minahal ko na rin ito. Dahil din dito, malapit ko nang mapag-tapos ang anak kong panganay. May motor na rin ako at lupa na nabayaran ko na sa ngayon.

 

Kiarrah Drew Almeda, Talent, 20

As a child, Kiarrah’s dream is to be an actress and model. She won a local pageant and has been in a number of TV shows in GMA network. While she aspires to continue this career, she believes that studying is much more important.

Would you say that this is an easy job?

Kapag talent ka, para kang dumadaan sa butas ng karayom. Magastos at nakakapagod pero masaya. Chilhood dream ko kasi ito kaya kahit mahirap, gusto ko pa rin.

Why do you pursue your studies despite the opportunities for a talent?

Maganda ang pag-aartista kasi nag-eenjoy ako pero hindi kasi ito pang matagalan. Hindi kagaya ng school na may maayos na trabaho pagkatapos, kung hindi naging maganda ang outcome ng pag-aartista mo o kapag hindi ka na sikat, wala na din.  

No matter the profession or the path you’ve taken, whether it’s the most popular job in the country or the job title no one in your family understands, what matters is that you’re happy with what you’re doing. At the end of the day, as long as your job satisfies your wants and needs, then it can surely pass as a good job.