The First-born Son and Adopted Big Brother

He has never seen or known his biological father from the day he was born on the 22nd of February 1985. He was therefore baptized Joey Mark Nicosia after her mother’s maiden name.

He was still an infant when left in the care of his grandmother who raised him until his mother started a new family. The household afterwards adopted him and treated as the eldest to two brothers and two sisters.

He was an integral part of the family in all the experiences it went through, and although their resources were meager, they were not impoverished because every member helped as much as each can.

The kids were properly brought up, went to school, and given spiritual guidance. The most painful moment they all suffered together was when a younger brother fell from a truck and instantly died.

Their mother was inconsolable for a year after the incident, yet their education was never compromised, at least up to finishing high school. This was a primary priority, in spite of numerous financial difficulties, which they solidly faced as one.

In the hardest of times, their father had to gather sand or gravel from the river and mother had to get sack-loads of laundry to wash. The eldest sister even had to forego college to sell local finger-food delicacies. In all these, everyone did their best to give support and assistance.

As soon as Joey graduated from high school, he immediately sought employment, and got to work as peon or laborer. Then he found someone he fell in love with, and openly professed his intentions to her folks. When he got her pregnant, however, her family thought it best for them both that she should first complete her baccalaureate degree in Education.

Joey was motivated more than ever to find a stable work to proudly claim his own family. He originally went to Cebu to train as security guard in an agency managed by an uncle. Nevertheless he took, and passed, the initial job examination given by the man his eldest sister was now married to. He was therefore accepted to be part of his home-based online marketing business, working alongside both of his sisters.

Joey has one uppermost goal today: to be with his wife and 15-month daughter. This is the driving force of his efforts, and he is doing great strides towards accomplishing it. Soon he should be able to do exactly what he set out to do.