Woman Stunned to Find Her Former School Principal Collecting Recyclables to Survive

A woman in the Philippines was walking along the road when she noticed an elderly lady collecting discarded cardboard.

To her surprise, she soon realized this woman was Dr. Elvira F. Barcelo, her former elementary school principal.

The woman, identified as Clarisse, shared their emotional encounter on Facebook, recounting how she recognized Dr. Barcelo despite the drastic change in her circumstances.

From Principal to Scavenger

According to Clarisse, the principal she remembered was always well-dressed, wearing lipstick and high heels, full of life, and confident.

Seeing her now at 81 years old, collecting cartons and recyclables, was a striking contrast.

Living Simply, Yet Proud

According to The Summit Express, Dr. Barcelo currently lives in Barangay San Juan, Morong, Rizal, where she supports herself by collecting recyclables and occasionally selling fruits at the local market.

Despite her hardships, Clarisse recalled the former principal saying, “Work is work. If it’s honest, there’s dignity in it.”

Financial Hardship After a Family Crisis

Although Dr. Barcelo receives a pension from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Clarisse shared that her savings ran out after her adopted child, her only companion at home, was reportedly scammed during a trip to India.

Additionally, her adopted child is said to suffer from a mental health condition, which adds to the challenges Dr. Barcelo faces.

All Siblings Passed Away

According to conversations with neighbors and Clarisse’s Facebook post, all of Dr. Barcelo’s siblings have passed away.

Her neighbors would occasionally bring her cooked meals, as she currently lives without electricity, running water, or a stove.

Dr. Barcelo reportedly tried to apply for part-time work at schools but was unsuccessful, likely due to her age.

This has led her to rely on collecting recyclables and selling fruits to survive.

A Call for Compassion

Though no longer a principal, Dr. Barcelo continues to serve others with humility in her own way.

Since Clarisse’s post went viral, many people have reached out wishing to help. However, since Dr. Barcelo does not use mobile wallets or social media, Clarisse encourages those interested in assisting to coordinate with her directly.

Watch the video here:

@clarisse5discountklook

If you’re one of her former students and wanted to help, please do. Although she’s not asking for it, she obviously needs help. Patay na lahat ng kapatid nya. May isa syang ampon which is unfortunately nagkaron daw ng mental health problem but we don’t know how true. So she’s trying to earn and support herself in a most decent way.

♬ original sound – Encik Senget – Encik Senget