A bus terminal in Davao Oriental was where a tender soul once lingered amid the chaos. There was no laughter or carefree play for this young boy — instead, he carved out a livelihood by selling banana cue, a popular Filipino street food. 

Growing up in San Isidro, Davao Oriental province, a family of seven children weathered the harsh realities of life, their path marked by struggle and perseverance.

"My father earns a living as a barber. My mother was once a seamstress turned businesswoman. My family taught me the value of hard work, prayer, faith, and determination to find ways to get out of poverty," shared Atty. Nicolas M. Caraquel, now a US-based immigration lawyer.

His family lived in poverty to the point where, despite being in the third grade, his parents implored him to stop going to school. Desperate to make ends meet, his parents pleaded for his assistance in selling banana cues at the bus terminal. His heart ached; he yearned to pursue his studies, but circumstances left him no alternative.

The hard life came to pass. A strong belief in the transformative power of education guided Atty. Nick's journey. With sheer determination, he completed his elementary and high school education. A beacon of hope appeared in the form of a State Scholarship Program, granting him the opportunity to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering at Ateneo de Davao University.

"I thought being an engineer would put me in a better position to support my parents and younger sister's education financially."

After graduation, he secured a position at a global food manufacturing company in Cagayan de Oro City. Yet, the allure of his childhood ambition to become a lawyer persisted. With his hard-earned savings, he embarked on a path to fulfill his dream, enrolling in law school at Xavier University.

When asked about his motivation for pursuing law, he shared, "Society often looks down upon those who have faced economic challenges. There is a tendency to assume they have no hope, especially in rural areas."

The year 2003 was a triumphant moment — he emerged victorious and proved that people should not look down upon those who have faced economic challenges. "There is hope, especially in rural areas."