Lawyer Nilo Divina has beaten the odds to establish himself as a highly regarded legal professional, founder of a prestigious law firm, and counsel to the country’s wealthiest individuals.
In a recent interview with Usapang Bilyonaryo with Ces Oreña-Drilon, Divina recounted the struggles he faced while growing up, such as sharing a meager tuyo meal with his brother and walking to school to save a few pesos.
“Ako ay galing sa mahirap na pamilya, so basically deprived childhood. Growing up in a deprived family was challenging. We had to split a single piece of tuyo between us for one meal. But we made do with what we had,” Divina said.
The esteemed lawyer said he and his brother, now Caloocan Councilor Arnold Divina, often walked to school to save money.
“Kasi minsan wala baon maglalakad ka. Nakaka-save kami ng P2 kapag maglalakad ka. At that time malaking bagay na yung P2,” he said.
Although they faced financial difficulties, they found happiness in their simple way of life.
Divina also shared how he sold torotot, a child’s trumpet, every New Year to earn some extra money while studying law.
For Divina, being poor is nothing to be ashamed of. “ What is shameful is if we do something wrong,” he said.
He emphasized that true happiness lies in contentment rather than wealth. “One thing I realized in life is that happiness is not being wealthy. We were content with what we had,” Divina said.
Divina’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and determination in achieving success, regardless of one’s circumstances.