His job was to watch over a pawnshop in Pasay, but during quiet hours, security guard Renz Abelita found another way to spend his time. Several children often stayed near his post, and one day, he asked them a simple question that revealed something he did not expect. They knew their names when asked, but they could not write them down on paper. Read on to see how that small moment led to an unexpected classroom outside a pawnshop.
From Names To The Alphabet
Abelita began with the basics, teaching the children how to write their names before moving on to reading and writing. He also taught the ABAKADA, the alphabet from A to Z, and basic counting. What started with one child eventually became lessons for four children who are cousins and live near the pawnshop where he works. The sessions happened during Abelita’s free moments, particularly when there were few or no customers.
Lessons Between Security Duties
Teaching the children became something Abelita prepared for outside his working hours. He would create lesson plans at night so he could make use of his available time during his shift. The children were not simply given lessons, as Abelita also prepared activities and exams to check their progress. He said he could see improvements as the sessions continued.
Why They Stopped Going to School
Abelita eventually asked the children why they were no longer attending school. According to the children, their mother had asked them to stop because the family could not afford the expenses. Archie Tagalog, the father of one of the children, also said he had to focus on earning a living and did not have enough time to teach them himself. He expressed his gratitude to Abelita for giving the children time and attention through the lessons.
A Teacher In Another Uniform
Teaching had actually been one of Abelita’s dreams. He did not finish his own studies and eventually found work as a security guard, but his experience with the children gave him an opportunity to teach in a different setting. Instead of a classroom, his lessons took place near the post where he worked. His security guard uniform became familiar to the children alongside their notebooks and learning materials.
Then Came The Photo
Abelita’s unusual classroom eventually caught the attention of people passing by. A couple saw him teaching one of the children near the pawnshop and took a photo of the moment. The image later circulated online, with people calling him “Sir Sekyu” and “sekyu-guro.” What had started as a private effort during his spare time suddenly became a story shared by many people.
More Than a Lesson
For Abelita, the goal was not simply to teach the children how to write their names. He wanted them to continue learning and avoid facing some of the difficulties he experienced after leaving school. The children’s progress also gave him a reason to continue preparing lessons despite having a regular job to perform. His time with them became a small but meaningful part of their day.
A Classroom Without Four Walls
There was no traditional classroom, blackboard or school bell at Abelita’s post. There was simply a security guard who noticed that children nearby needed help with basic reading and writing and decided to teach them when he could. Four children eventually became his students, learning letters, words and numbers during the quiet moments of his workday. His story shows how learning can begin in an unexpected place when someone chooses to share the knowledge they have.
