From Poverty to Professional: Ben's Journey
A 30-year-old engineer named Ben from Talisay City has reached out for guidance regarding his strained family relationships. Despite his professional success, he finds himself struggling to gain acceptance from relatives who once looked down on his family.
Ben revealed that he grew up in poverty within a family compound in Talisay City. His father was the only one who didn't complete his education due to what Ben describes as "bugoy-bugoy" or irresponsible behavior during youth. Both parents worked tirelessly to put their only child through school, sacrificing greatly to ensure Ben could complete his engineering degree.
The Pain of Family Rejection
Now established as a successful engineer, Ben is renovating their family home in Talisay City. However, his cousins and relatives continue to ignore him, even when he initiates greetings. They create stories suggesting he might have obtained his money illegally, speculating that his engineering success has changed him for the worse.
What makes this particularly painful for Ben is that during his childhood, his older cousins already treated him as inferior due to the age gap and their perceived social status. Now that he has achieved what they haven't, the distance has only grown wider despite his efforts to build closeness.
Papa Joe's Advice for Healing Family Rifts
In response to Ben's heartfelt letter published on November 27, 2025, advice columnist Papa Joe offered several suggestions for handling the difficult family situation. The primary recommendation was to be patient and let time heal wounds, as relatives might eventually recognize their mistake when they see his consistent success.
Papa Joe acknowledged that jealousy is inevitable, especially when family members see someone they considered beneath them achieving more than they have. He suggested that Ben take the initiative by organizing family gatherings through other relatives who might be more receptive, creating opportunities for natural reconciliation.
The columnist emphasized the power of prayer and maintaining hope that ways would open for family members to grow closer. His advice centered on taking the high road while actively creating opportunities for connection, rather than waiting for others to make the first move.
