By Evelyn Tendero
I have been seeing this smiling gentleman since January whenever I visit the main dormitory building of Kapatiran-Kaunlaran Foundation Inc. (KKFI).
One day, our Dormitory Assistant, Malou, introduced him to me. His name, I learned, is Marine Engineer Arnelo Llarena. He was a reviewee for 1st and 2nd engineer licensure exam, which he eventually passed successfully.
The engineer has been in the service for 20 years, but he took a respite from his job as a seaman since January 2018. He has since stayed in Manila with his 13-year-old son Karlo Martin, who was then reviewing for the International Mathematics Wizard Challenge (IMWC) held in Jakarta, Indonesia.
We had the chance to talk again after they arrived from Jakarta. Engineer Llarena proudly told me that Karlo garnered a bronze medal in the international competition! He said he was glad that he had a chance to be with his son to provide a much-needed moral support. It was a good thing that the engineer was still waiting for a call from his placement agency when it all happened.
The rare achievement was certainly worth all the trouble and the expenses, including airplane fare and accommodation in a foreign land, which he personally shouldered. That’s not yet including the cost of Karlo’s IMWC training.
The Llarenas live in Legaspi City, so Engineer Llarena had to rent a place whenever he stayed in Manila. We are glad the engineer chose to stay in KKFI every time. We are especially pleased when he brought with him his son on their way to Jakarta.
I know for a fact (since I am aware of the compensation package marine engineers enjoy) that the Llarenas can well afford to pay for a hotel accommodation. So why stay in KKFI facilities, instead?
Engineer Llarena gave me five reasons. They are:
- KKFI is accessible to Karlo’s training school
- The rooms and the compound itself are comfortable and conducive for study and rest
- The surroundings are clean and peaceful
- The people are hospitable and accommodating
- It is affordable.
It will not surprise me one bit if Engineer Llarena will choose KKFI to be Karlo’s “home away from home” when the time comes the latter enters college here in Manila. Will you be?
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