Kuya G pays it forward

Gilmer Cariaga, or Kuya G to his friends, is an epitome of resilience, diligence, and adaptability: the very attributes often associated with the staff of Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF).

Gilmer grew up in Negros Occidental. At the young age of seven, Gilmer experienced a life of toil when his parents moved to Manila, leaving him in the care of distant relatives. Aware that his relatives were also struggling to make ends meet, Gilmer used his resourcefulness to support his own studies. Young Gilmer would wake up at 4 a.m. to gather kangkong (swamp cabbage) and sell them to hog raisers.

He also resorted to selling rice grains, mangoes, and ice candy. When he moved to Bacolod in his teenage years, Gilmer tried to earn extra money by renting his uncle’s trisikad (bicycle with a mounted sidecar). “Dapat hindi ka maging pabigat doon. ‘Yun ang lagi kong naiisip. Siyempre, nakikitira lang ako,” Gilmer recalled.

Despite these struggles, young Gilmer cherished his youth. With no smartphones, internet, and gadgets, Gilmer spent his idle time playing outdoors with friends. Together, they built the seemingly elusive dream of becoming a soldier. He even recalled collecting empty bullet shells. “Kapag nakikita naming dumadaan ang mga sundalong nakatira sa malapit na kampo, sabi ko sa sarili ko parang ang sarap maging sundalo,” shared Gilmer. Given his economic situation that time, however, Gilmer said he had to give up that dream.

Saying life was tough is an understatement, but Gilmer believes that these experiences molded his character and prepared him for whatever lies ahead. It also made him determined to never let his kids live the way he did: away from family and unsure of the future.

Gilmer goes to Manila

“Pumunta ako sa Maynila na hindi ko alam ang dadatnan ko.”

At the age of 16, Gilmer saw an opportunity to go to Manila and reunite with his family. This reunion rekindled Gilmer’s hope of finishing school through his parents’ support.

“Sabi ko dati kakayanin ko lahat mag-isa. Hindi ko kailangan ng tulong, pero hindi pala ganoon. Kailangan mo rin ng ibang tao para mag-guide sa iyo. Hindi pala sa lahat ng pagkakataon, malalaman mo kung tama ang ginagawa mo.”

After a 22-hour trip from Negros Occidental, Gilmer set foot in Manila in 1994. There, he found his parents and siblings living meagerly. Seeing this reality, Gilmer understood that he had to continue being a working student.

Gilmer joins Zuellig group

In 1996, Gilmer grabbed an opportunity to work as janitor in Zuellig Pharma while taking up a two-year computer technology certification program in a nearby college. After graduating, Gilmer left Zuellig Pharma and worked as clerk and merchandiser, where he later met his wife.

Gilmer found a new job which forced him to relocate to Laguna. Recalling the promise he made about not letting his kids feel the way he did when his parents left him, Gilmer moved back to Parañaque and reconnected with his former colleagues in Zuellig Pharma in hopes of getting job opportunities that would not compel him to relocate.

As fate would have it, Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF), then known as Zuellig Pharmaceutical Health and Family Foundation, needed a messenger and janitor. Gilmer grabbed that opportunity and since then, Gilmer witnessed how the Foundation grew from having just six employees to becoming one of the most respected organizations in the country.

Continuous growth and ZFF’s support

The humble man from Negros climbed his way up from being a working student, serving as janitor, messenger, and clerk to becoming ZFF’s administrative assistant. Gilmer says that while his struggles as a child helped him build resilience, he would never be able to grow and succeed if it weren’t for the people who believed in his capabilities. 

“Dito sa ZFF, nakita ko kung paano nila hinubog ang mga tao na mag-move. Kung nasaang posisyon ka ngayon, dapat hindi ka hanggang doon lang.” Gilmer earned his college degree in 2021.

Looking back, moving forward

After more than a decade working in ZFF, Gilmer shares that he sees himself spending the rest of his career in the Foundation. “Parang balik lang din doon sa binigay ng Foundation sa akin.” More than the stable job and steady income, Gilmer regards meeting brilliant and supportive people in the Foundation as the most rewarding part of joining ZFF. “Kung hindi dahil sa kanila, hindi siguro madadagdagan nang ganito ang aking kaalaman. Napakarami talagang nagbago sa buhay ko simula nang magtrabaho ako sa Foundation.”

His greatest treasure? Gilmer feels that he is a part of a big family. He appreciates the fact that everyone is regarded with respect, regardless of their position. “Noong bata ako, kahit kamag-anak ko, parang may malaking pader sa pagitan namin. Pero dito sa ZFF, naramdaman ko talaga ang kahulugan ng pamilya.”

Looking back, Gilmer says he has no regrets about how his life turned out to be. He may not have been a soldier, but Gilmer still found a noble way to serve his country. At this point, our Kuya G from Negros Occidental just wants to pay it forward for the organization that allowed him to help the community, support his family, and be the best version of himself.