A recent Facebook post has touched the hearts of netizens when a concerned citizen shared a heartwarming story about a retired school principal who now makes a living collecting trash.
Facebook user “Clarisse” remembered her encounter with Dr. Elvira F. Barcelo, her former elementary school principal, when she chanced upon her collecting cardboard boxes.
Clarisse added that she never expected to see someone like Dr. Barcelo under such circumstances.
“Life often teaches its most profound lessons in unexpected ways. One of the most eye-opening experiences I’ve had recently came from meeting a former school principal – once a respected leader in education – who now collects cartons to make ends meet at the age of 81,” Clarisse wrote.
Clarisse also shared that she was “struck by the contrast” on how someone who once shaped young minds and led a school community ended up walking the streets collecting recyclable boxes.”
“But as I spent time speaking with her, I realized that her story was not one of loss or pity—it was one of resilience, humility, and wisdom,” she added.
Clarisse said she saw Dr. Barcelo picking up boxes outside a Chowking branch and was reportedly brightened when she introduced herself as one of her former students and “hugged her as if I saw a long lost relative.”
“Me: Dr. Barcelo! Principal sa MC when I was in elementary, hindi nyo po ako kilala pero kilala ko po kayo. Kumusta po?”
“Dr. Barcelo: (Sobrang tuwa at may nakakilala sa kanyang estudyante) Eto okay naman. Matanda na 81 na ako.”
Dr. Barcelo shared that aside from scavenging, she also sells fruits at the market to earn a little more.
“Looking at her, it was far from Dr. Barcelo that I used to know when I was in elementary. Back then, she was always wearing high heels, lipstick, and well-groomed hair. Full of life. Her name alone is so strong,” Clarisse recalled.
The post quickly went viral, with many netizens expressing concern and admiration for the former school principal. Others have already reached out to Clarisse to extend their help to Dr. Barcelo.
