ISSUE 4: SHU CALLEJA, READY TO BARE IT ALL (ENGLISH TRANSLATION)

(FOR THE FULL TAGALOG INTERVIEW, CHECK OUT THE PREVIOUS ENTRY)

If the “shoe” fits, it will certainly walk miles and will reach a long, long way. Much like one of the most active macro influencers online today, the one that simply goes with the name “SHU”.

Turning 19 this May, Shu has had the most humbling journey so far in his young existence. At a tender age of 11 he already started training for martial arts, at 14 years old, he competed for the nationals and even went abroad to compete internationally, at 15 he became an orphan and had to fend for his self to make ends meet.

“I did so many things to survive.” says Shu.

You would never imagine that behind his happy disposition in life, his cute remarks on social media, and the crazy videos that he posts on instagram, is a very sensitive young man who has had his fair share of tragedies and heartaches.

“I had to grow up and be an adult sooner than I expected.”

While training for the National Team of Wushu, Shu was able to get a scholarship for school and a monthly allowance that would help him in his daily needs. Whenever he won competitions he would also get additional cash rewards and he was just too happy to save it for his future use.

“I wasn’t spending a lot because the board and lodging is free. So whatever I got I really tried saving it.” says Shu.

But one’s resiliency will be tested in the most unexpected time. His dad became terminally ill and passed away because of kidney failure. Shu was just 13 then.

“My dreams literally fell apart. Everything that I was aiming for, I was doing it for my parents. I wanted my family to be proud of me.” tells Shu.

Shu was just young then but he tried, in his own little way, to help his family when the bread winner passed away. He doubled his effort with his career as an athlete, trying not to sacrifice his school time. But when he had to start competing internationally he had no choice but to postpone his school for a year.

“I had to. I had to train daily. I cannot afford not to do it since I was already relying a lot from the allowance and the cash rewards.” tells Shu.

All his efforts were well rewarded, and at a young age of 15 he won his first international championship in Beijing for the 6TH World Junior Wushu Federation, earning him a bronze medal.

But this was also the year when he got to experience his second heartbreak, a tragedy that will define his life in the later years to come. One day, he was back in school when he received a message from his siblings that his mom needed to be rushed to the hospital because she was already deteriorating from a heart illness.

Shu was in a state of shock and had to pedal his bike back to Quezon City from his school in Pasay City. When he reached home, her mom was already feeling unconscious. He tried carrying his mom. He brought her outside and waited for the taxi to bring them to the hospital. But no taxi would take them during the rush hour, and Shu was already feeling so helpless with his mom on his arms.

“I tried my best to go home fast as I can pedaling my bike. But I don’t think I was fast enough. When I arrived I immediately told my mom that I’m with her already. I whispered to her to just wait because help will soon arrive. I was trying my best to carry her. I was trying my best to be strong for her.” recounts Shu.

But help arrived too late, and when they reached the hospital, Shu’s mom was already dead on arrival.

“All the things I was doing was for my parents, for my dad, for my mom. And just like that, I became an orphaned at a young age. I didn’t understand then why I had to go through all those things.” tells Shu.

All the money that he saved, he had to use to help his mom and to help the family as well. Despite all these, he never wavered with his faith with God.

“My Mom always told us that God has a reason for all these things.” tells Shu.

The next few years would prove to be difficult for Shu. He had been very independent ever since because of the money that he was able to save, but his savings was already gone. He also had to quit the National Team because he wanted to finish his studies, one of the requests of his mom when she was still alive.

“It was difficult to be on your own at such a young age. I have my siblings but I was already used to being independent. I didn’t want to trouble them since most of them have their own homes and fending for their families already.” tells Shu.

He had to do a lot of odd jobs to make ends meet, from working as a Wushu instructore for young students, to working as a service crew for a fast food chain. He had to juggle everything and fit all his schedules in a day.

“I was attending school in the morning till the late afternoon. Then my shift at work started early evening till really late in the midnight. Then I have to go home, do the laundry, then I would wake up really early for my school the next day.” tells Shu.

But Shu believes that all these have a reason. More than anything, he learned the value of hardwork. This helped him build his character as a person and as a human being.

“There were so many challenges along the way. And I’ll be honest, there were so many options that have presented themselves right in front of me. They were all an easy way out for all of my problems. But I have my morals. I value the name of my parents and I will never be able to fathom these options. I’d rather live a life that’s difficult and still live with my principles intact.” says Shu.

They say patience is a virtue, and after slowly building his name and mark in social media, and having close to 300K followers on instagram, Shu is now one of the well-loved ambassadors of so many brands. Whatever he earns from his work he uses this to send him to school, he is also trying to start again to save for his future. And when he can, he also tries to help his younger brother financially. Not to mention that Shu is also active in supporting different NGOs in helping them with their advocacies.

“I’ve been through so many things, from all the winnings, the heartaches, the trials, and throughout all these experiences, God was with me. And I cannot thank him enough for not leaving me behind. I was never alone.” tells Shu.

#TEAMSUPER Shu is an example that life is what you make out of it. It is a never-ending journey. With a “shoe” that fits, we just have to keep walking.

CREDITS:

Photography by The Superboy Shoots

IG: superboyshoots

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