For every scoop of ice-cream that he sells, comes with inspiring stories that are worth to tell. He was not really an Adamsonian, but his grit and passion embody the true spirit of a Vincentian.
Eleuterio Manalo aka “Mang Rudy”, 57 years old and proud Batangueño, has been serving Adamson University his flavorful sorbetes for almost 38 years. His usual spot is seen in front of Dunkin Donut’s stall in Cardinal Santos (CS) Building.
Through the years, Mang Rudy, clad in his old-school checkered polo-shirt tucked in his ragged denim jeans, has become a living icon in Adamson for his reputable service of selling ice-cream. His aesthetically-designed cart and its distinct name “Kabayan” always catches the attention of every Adamsonian. Little do they know that Mang Rudy’s sorbetes mileage was started by his own father, Nicomedes Castillo, the first sorbetero in Adamson University.
His long stay in the university enabled him to support his family. In spite of his small business, Mang Rudy was able to send all of his five children to school. Back in his hometown of Batangas, three of his children have graduated already and are now working, while the other two are still studying as a college freshman and a Grade 10 student.
According to Mang Rudy, what keeps him going is his desire to make the life of his wife and children as comfortable as possible.
When asked about what inspired him to sell ice-cream in Adamson, he fondly answered that it’s his children.
“Ang aking mga anak. Dahil sila’y iginapang ko na huwag silang matulad sa akin, na sila’y makatapos,” he stated. (It’s my children. I’ve worked hard enough so they won’t end up like me. I want them to finish school.)
Despite his small success with his family, Mang Rudy is still trying to make ends meet, even if it means braving the exasperating heat or torrential rains at his old age.
“Minsan kumikita naman, mahina lang ngayon kasi malamig,” he said. (Sometimes I am earning, although it’s quite hard these days because of the cold weather. )
Mang Rudy admitted that he is not making enough money to provide for his family. As he perseveres to earn the PHP 3,500 boundary for a day, Mang Rudy finds it difficult to sustain when his sales depend on the number of students who buy his ice cream, late announcement of class suspensions, and on the daily weather condition.
Mang Rudy’s grueling routine of peddling his wooden cart from his house in Singalong, Manila to Adamson never stops him from doing his job. Instead, it pushes him harder to continue not only because of his family, but also this journey had taught him a lot of things about the realities in this society.
His small earnings also do not restrict him from helping those who are in need, especially the street-children and the elderly as he also understands what they are going through.
When asked about his plan of staying longer in Adamson, all he had to say was, “Hanggang makatapos ang aking bunso. Fourth year na ‘yun. Kapag natapos ‘yun at naka-graduate ng college, magpapahinga na ako. Matanda na ako at malayo ang linalakad ko araw-araw.” (Until my youngest son finishes college. He’s fourth-year already. I could finally enjoy my retirement. I am old and I walk miles away from where I stay everyday.)
He added that he will be helping his wife in Batangas when the time comes.
Meanwhile, Mang Rudy, who is succeeding in his small battles for his family, shared his advice for all the students who want to become successful in their lives.
“Katulad kong magulang din na nagpapa-aral sa anak, mag-sikap sila at mag-aral ng mabuti para hindi masayang ang pinagpaguran ng magulang.” (As a parent who brings and supports our child to school, they need to strive and study hard so all of their parents’ hardship won’t get wasted.)
Mang Rudy also believes that the only thing that can get his family out of poverty is through his children finishing their education.
“Lagi kong pinagdarasal ang aking mga anak na sana ay makatapos sila dahil ‘yun lamang ang tangi kong maipapamana sa kanila kapag ako’y namatay” (I always pray that my children would finish their education because that’s the only thing I could give to them when I die), he said.
Despite being far from home, he never felt away from his family because of the heartwarming treatment the institution has given to him. Mang Rudy said he is grateful to the previous presidents of Adamson and to the current president, Fr. Marcelo V. Manimtim, CM because of the trust and opportunity, that allowed him to support his family.
