Though the journey to success was far from easy, a former tricycle driver powered through with hard work and dedication to reach where he is today.
From being a tricycle driver, he is now a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)!
The inspiring story of 36-year-old Jefferson Dimla has sparked discussions after he shared on the Facebook group “Accounting Positions Hiring - Philippines” the challenges he faced on his path to becoming a licensed CPA.
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| Photo courtesy: Jefferson Dimla (Facebook)/Pexels |
In an interview with Balita, Dimla admitted that he had gone through many struggles since childhood before finally reaching the success he had long aspired for.
Dimla recalled that his journey toward success started at a very young age. As early as Grade 1, he was already helping out on their small farm where sampaguita plants grew.
“Every day, my father would wake me up at 4:00 a.m. to water the sampaguita,” he shared. “We didn’t have a jetmatic or Nawasa back then—just a hand pump. At that age, I couldn’t understand why he was making me do it. I even felt like he resented me somehow.”
But behind his father’s stern discipline was a lesson that would stay with him for life. “He would always tell me, ‘If a person is lazy, he will go nowhere.’ Since then, I got used to always doing something, never being idle,” Dimla said.
Unlike other children his age who spent their mornings playing or watching TV, Dimla grew accustomed to working. At first, he questioned why he had to go through such experiences, but he eventually realized that his father’s words had instilled in him a work ethic that shaped the person he would become.
At just 16 years old, Jefferson Dimla was already juggling responsibilities far beyond his years. Aside from working as a tricycle driver, he also spent five years carrying golf clubs for players at a local course, becoming the youngest caddie at the time.
Despite the weight of these responsibilities, Dimla pressed on with his dream. He decided to pursue Accountancy in college, confident that education was his ticket to a better future. Luckily, he was granted a scholarship, which spared his father from paying tuition fees. But that did not mean life got any easier.
Still, his determination was often questioned. Some people mocked him, claiming he was only pretending to read his books.
Graduation did not immediately bring success either. When he applied for a crew position, he was rejected for being “too small and thin”. The experience left him in tears.
Challenges continued in college. After failing a subject, he faced the risk of being removed from his program, as his school did not allow students with failing grades to continue. Not wanting to shift to another course, he pleaded with his dean.
But despite the struggles, Dimla made sure to enjoy life, too.
“I didn’t spend all my time studying or reviewing. Back then, there was no internet, so I collected CDs—those 100-movies-in-1 kind. We had a small player, and that became my way of balancing things. I really miss those days,” he said with a smile.
When he finally passed the CPA board exam, his life changed completely. Opportunities opened up, and he was able to give back to his community. Since 2012, he has been working as a part-time professor, guiding aspiring accountants toward their own dreams.
Looking back, Dimla shares a simple piece of advice: sacrifice.
“If you want to achieve something, you have to give something. That’s what the general manager of an NBA team once said. If you want to pass the board exam, you have to sacrifice time,” he explained.
Still, he emphasized the importance of balance.
“There should always be relaxation. You can’t study 24/7. In my case, I was driving a tricycle. After a long day, my friends and I would drink together. That balance helped me get through.”
Dimla’s journey is proof that perseverance, sacrifice, and the right mindset can change the course of one’s life.
From being underestimated to becoming a licensed CPA and an educator, his story serves as an inspiration for anyone striving to rise above life’s challenges.
— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express