Surviving, Thriving, Rising: Jeffrey Solis’ Quest for Fresh Start
by Jannes Magayon
Life does not stop when obstacles appear or setbacks slow you down; it patiently waits, offering you the opportunity to rise, find your stride, and move forward once again.
In a world where the true beauty of life lies in its resilience — the ability to offer new beginnings even after the hardest endings — Jeffrey Solis, a first-year BIT Automotive student at Bulacan State University (BulSU), serves as a powerful reminder that sometimes realigning your steps is just as crucial as moving forward.
Now working as a security guard in BulSU while pursuing his degree, Jeffrey is rebuilding his life after enduring loss and challenges that knocked him down at a young age. Determined to take charge of his future, he is rewriting his story — embracing his past, reflecting on missed opportunities, and overcoming the obstacles life has placed before him.
Out of the shadows of poverty
From a tender age of five, Jeffrey grew up in an orphanage under the care of priests at the Don Bosco Tuloy Foundation in Muntinlupa City. He was rescued from the streets of Recto, Manila, after a devastating fire destroyed his family’s home.
“Hindi ko naman ikakahiya, galing ako sa foundation, lumaki ako sa pari.” He shared during an interview with Pacesetter. “Unang-una noon, yung Mama at Papa ko, nasunugan kami sa may Makati City, so nung nasunugan kami, pumunta kami sa kamag-anak namin, tapos ‘yon, doon kami tumira,” he added.
Jeffrey experienced homelessness firsthand, a reality often depicted in movies. He realized that without shedding the shame weighing him down, survival becomes nearly impossible. This harsh reality became all too real for him and his family.
“Tumira kami sa may Recto. Nasa kariton kami, nasa kariton ako, doon kami natutulog sa kalye, sa kalsada, namamalimos. Minsan humihiwalay ako kapag gabi para humanap ng pagkain, kahit tira-tira, ang tawag doon batchoy, kinukuha namin,” he testified.
Before being moved to the Don Bosco Tuloy Foundation, he was placed in Bahay Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center (BBRC), his first orphanage, where he endured harsh treatment. At BBRC, there was no mercy — everyone, regardless of age or background, was treated the same and subjected to military-style discipline.
“May formation kasi, ang mga humahawak kasi doon mga sundalo na kaya military yung exercise. Walang patawad doon, mag-droga ka man o hindi, pare-parehas yung exercise niyo, kung ano yung ginagawa ng matatanda, gagawin niyo rin.”
Seeking a way out of this torment, he moved to the Don Bosco Tuloy Foundation, where he began to envision a life free from hardship, one that allowed him to dream and aspire.
“Paglipat ko sa Don Bosco, una ayaw ko muna kasi baka ganoon din, na-trauma ako.” Jeffrey stated.
“Sumali ako sa club, marami kasing sports doon, sumali ako sa football mga nine years old [nung] nagsimula ako, mga elementary. Noong dumating yung football, 2004 o 2006, bali kami rin yung pioneeer noong football doon sa Don Bosco, mga bata. Kami yung nagtatanim sa may football field para paglaruan namin,” a reminiscing Jeffrey added.
However, Jeffrey’s promising life at Don Bosco was not meant to last forever. The foundation’s role is to provide care and support only up to a certain point, and upon turning 17, after that, they are expected to step out and work their way in the real world on their own — plunging Jeffrey into yet another chapter of challenges and uncertainties.
“Paglabas ko noong Tuloy, hindi ko alam kung saan ako pupunta. Siyempre hindi ko alam kung saan yung magulang ko noon eh.” he said.
“Puwede ka pa rin naman dumalaw kaso ‘di ka na roon nakatira, tapos parang di ako mapakali noon that time, parang kasi may kulang. Kasi yung highschool sa’min, non-formal, hindi siya hawak ng DepEd,” Jeffrey stated more about what he experienced.
Fueled by his determination to never return to leave his old life behind, Jeffrey took on the challenge of working while pursuing his education — an inspiring feat for a 17-year-old who managed to complete high school at a prestigious institution despite the odds stacked against him.
“Naisip ko mag-aral ako sa labas, yun nga sa La Salle Green Hills, nag-aral ako ng Highschool.”
Start of another life’s curveball
Football became a turning point in Jeffrey’s life, unlocking a world of opportunities that extended beyond his dream of education. It allowed him to experience achievements and moments he once believed were out of reach. For someone who had endured life’s raw challenges.
This sport offered not just a sense of belonging but a chance to rise above his circumstances and reach for something extraordinary.
“Naglalaro ako dati, mga 2009–2010, team Philippines, hindi lang halata, ako yung pinakabata, 17 years old.” He revealed. “Kami rin yung first batch ng Homeless World Cup 2008, kami yung first batch ng team Philippines. Bali over 56 nations, lalaban kayo sa iba’t ibang bansa. Bali nakakuha naman kami ng 37, nag-place na rin kami, hindi na rin masama.”
Despite representing the country on the global stage, life’s challenges were not over. Upon starting college, Jeffrey returned home and reconnected with his brother, whom he had not seen since the 1990s. They decided to live together in Bulacan, where they worked together to continue his education at Bulacan State University.
Yet again, life threw another challenge his way, one he had experienced before. This time, the financial strain of tuition fees forced him to abandon his studies, leaving him with no option but to prioritize work instead of continuing his studies.
“Nag-tryout ako sa BulSU noong 2015, natanggap kaagad ako. Nag-aral ako kaso that time may tuition fee pa kasi, eh wala pa akong trabaho, wala akong masandalan kaya umalis muna ako, naghanap muna ako ng trabaho, pumunta akong Pampanga.”
After almost 9 years full of twists and turns, Jeffrey restarted his life from scratch, determined to recover from yet another mishaps. He worked hard, saved money, and applied for a job as a security guard at Bulacan State University, where he also resumed his studies.
“Gusto ko talaga makapagtapos. Iba pa rin kasi yung may degree. So ayun, bumalik na ako, dito na ako nag-security, dito ako nag-apply,” he emphasized.
Being a working student requires immense strength. Jeffrey has been balancing his job and studies — clocking in for a 10 PM night shift as a security guard, then attending classes at the same university in the morning as a student.
“Sa gabi bawal matulog kasi nagbabantay ka, doon ko ginagawa yung studies ko kasi sayang. Kung hindi ako makakatulog, mag-aaral nalang ako. Mga 10 kasi ang pasok ko, tulog mga two hours pero mahirap pa rin, bitin.” He confessed.
“Kaso alam mo naman kapag security, medyo hirap din talaga ako. Hindi naman sa pagkakahiya, mahina rin ako. Pero sinisipagan ko talaga, kahit working-student ako, kahit mahirap yung schedule.Pero pinipilit ko, may pangarap kasi ako wala namang impossible,” he added.
New beginnings, new dreams to chase
Now, as Solis continues to strive, juggling his night shifts at work and studies — he is still driven by a greater vision, not just to complete his degree but also to chase his first passion: football.
“Baka kapag natapos ako, kung hindi man mapunta sa business, baka maging coach pa rin ako balang-araw. Pagkatapos ko ng college, trabaho ako sa abroad, mag-apply ako bilang coach sa ibang bansa.”
For now, he is gradually working on getting back on track, setting his sights on exploring opportunities with the country’s football clubs. He is also returning to his first love — football — with the same home and team that first made him realize his passion for the sport.
“Na ma-experience ko ulit. Na kunwari makita ako ulit, televised na ngayon, “si Solis oh, andoon na ulit oh, bumabalik.” nakakamiss din kasi yung mga nakaraan.”
“Ang balak ko ngayon is mag-tryout sa mga big club na katulad ng PFL. Kaso medyo busy pa ako dahil may trabaho sa gabi, pasok sa umaga. Baka sakali sa bakasyon, puwede ako mag-tryout. Sa Don Bosco, may sarili na silang team, Tuloy FC. Baka doon ako mag-tryout sa big club,” Jeffrey uttered with excitement.
Indeed, life doesn’t end when you face a problem that seems to drag you into the pit of hopelessness, not even if it happens once, twice, or as many times as life decides to test you. The power to change the course of your life remains in your hands, as the saying goes: you are the master of your own fate.
“Kung may pangarap ka, wala yan sa status ng buhay. Kung mahirap ka man o mayaman, may edad ka man o wala, kung may pangarap ka, maabot mo ‘yan. Basta sipag at tiyaga tapos tumawag lang sa Taas, hindi ka magkakamali ng landas.” He then further reminded.
Jannes Magayon is the Sports Editor of Pacesetter for A.Y. 2024–2025. She is a second-year journalism student from the College of Arts and Letters.
