MANILA, Philippines – Amid rising fuel prices that continue to strain Filipino households, a newly licensed Occupational Therapist from Calamba, Laguna is turning a personal story of hardship into a mission of service for families in need of care and support.
Long before becoming a licensed professional, Charles Sebastian Lotho’s life was defined by perseverance, including his early experience as a ball boy—a sports support staff member in football responsible for retrieving and returning balls during matches—in the Philippines Football League.
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| Photo courtesy: Charles Sebastian Lotho/Canva Pro |
Lotho, who passed the Occupational Therapist Licensure Examination (OTLE) in June 2025, is now a licensed occupational therapist—a healthcare professional who helps people develop or regain skills needed for everyday activities—and is offering free online consultations for Filipino families raising children with diverse abilities, especially amid rising living costs.
“I conducted a free online Occupational Therapy consultation ever since the oil price hike started,” Lotho said, explaining his goal of making therapy services more accessible regardless of financial capacity.
For him, the initiative is not just a response to economic challenges but a continuation of a journey shaped by years of discipline, sacrifice, and faith.
“I was once a working student who needed to support my own finances,” he shared, recalling how he balanced academic demands with the responsibility of helping sustain his family’s daily needs.
“I was a ball boy in the Philippines Football League, and that small job helped me earn ₱300 a day,” he added, reflecting on how even small opportunities played a crucial role in supporting his education.
While standing on the sidelines of the football field, Lotho was also quietly facing his own internal battles—moments of exhaustion, doubt, and uncertainty about his future.
“There were days when giving up felt easier, but something deeper kept pushing me to continue,” he said.
Through years of sacrifice and prayer, he eventually made a promise before taking the board examination that would shape his life’s direction.
“I promised God that if I passed, I would become an extension of His healing and helping hands,” Lotho said.
Today, that promise is reflected in his work as he provides free consultations to families who cannot afford therapy services amid rising economic pressures.
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“This is one way of fulfilling that promise,” he explained, describing his profession not only as a career but as a calling rooted in compassion and service.
From a ball boy on the sidelines to a licensed occupational therapist serving communities in need, Lotho’s journey stands as a testament to resilience shaped by hardship, faith, and purpose.
“This is no longer just a profession for me—it is a mission to heal, serve, and uplift others,” he said, carrying forward a life dedicated to helping others beyond personal struggle.
— The Summit Express