Back in Payatas, life was far from easy for John Aaron Legson and his father. When his mother left in 2013, his dad brought him from Albay to Quezon City to start over. His father worked hard as a construction worker, earning just enough to cover their daily needs. But when the pandemic hit, he lost his job and turned to selling vegetables just to keep food on the table.
Aaron wanted to help. With nothing but his talent in drawing, he began making portraits and selling them for ₱300 to ₱350 ($5–$6) each. It was a small income, but it became a lifeline that helped him buy school supplies and cover expenses during their most difficult days.
That was when the Back-to-School (BTS) scholarship stepped in. Through this project, Aaron received support for his education, including transportation and other expenses. It was the push he needed to keep going after his dream.
Despite the hardships, Aaron never gave up. His persistence and faith carried him through long nights of studying and working on his art. And just last month, all his sacrifices bore fruit when he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Painting, from the Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology.
Today, Aaron dreams of becoming a professional artist and content creator. He knows life will bring new challenges, but he is determined to press on whether through commissioned artworks or small business ventures.
More than academic success, Aaron treasures the values formation activities he joined through Operation Blessing. “These taught me to remain hopeful, respect others, and most importantly, deepen my faith in God.”
Now, as Aaron steps into a new chapter, he carries with him not only his talent and determination but also the gift of hope.
