By Jovit Caballero | APRIL 2026

Life rarely unfolds in straight lines. It bends, it breaks, it throws curveballs when things seem to be going just right, testing us in ways no one ever prepares for. Yet within those disruptions come opportunities, where strength is rebuilt and direction is rediscovered. And sometimes, in the aftermath of struggle, a deeper calling emerges — one rooted in compassion, in giving, in choosing charity not just as an act, but as a way forward. This is the story of MPT Link’s first featured employee.

Freddie “Fred” Dulalia, 52, hails from Libtong, Meycauayan, Bulacan. Now serving as a Traffic Supervisor for Sector 1 under the Traffic Operations Department, his journey began in a life marked by hardship, where having just enough each day was already considered a blessing. From a young age, he learned the value of responsibility, influenced not only by his own experiences but also by the kindness and support of others around him.

Fred grew up with five brothers and is the fourth of six siblings. Their mother managed a small store in Divisoria, Manila and spent most of the day there, often coming home late or only on weekends. Because of this, the boys were mainly looked after by their father, a goldsmith who served clients from their home. He was also a musician who played guitar in a band at clubs and other gigs during the evenings. On those nights, the siblings stayed at home by themselves, although at times, some of them would go with their father and watch him perform.

Aside from being a goldsmith and a musician, his father also owned a jeepney, which was usually driven by their uncle. On days when there were no customers or musical engagements, his father would take over and drive it himself. Despite the demands of their parents’ work, their family remained close. However, as the family grew and all the children began attending school, their mother decided to stop working to focus on raising them, leaving their father as the sole provider of the household, a role he would not hold for long, as life was about to throw a curveball no one expected.

During his elementary years at Libtong Elementary School, Fred was an introvert. He was an average student and showed little interest in extracurricular activities. Growing up in a family that loved basketball, he occasionally joined barangay-level leagues, but nothing beyond that. Everything began to change when he reached 3^rd Grade. One day, his father and his band were invited to play at a cousin’s birthday party just a few blocks from their home. In the middle of their second song, his father suddenly bent forward. When people rushed to help, they noticed his mouth beginning to foam. Fred stood frozen, unable to move or understand what was happening. As a child who deeply admired his father, the moment felt like his worst fear coming to life. In the next instant, he ran towards home blindly, tears streaming his face as fear drowned out everything else.

When he reached home, Fred was the one who had to break the news to his mother and brothers. His mother rushed out immediately to the hospital, leaving the children behind, holding on to hope and waiting for any sign of good news. But the silence did not last long. A neighbor soon arrived, carrying the words no one was ready to hear. Their father was gone. In an instant, everything changed. At such a young age, Fred found himself facing a reality he was not prepared for, carrying not only sorrow but also the weight of responsibility his father had left behind.

After being forced to sell their jeepney to make ends meet, the family’s situation grew even more difficult. At just 16, the eldest had to step into a role far beyond his years, as their mother returned to Divisoria to reopen their small store. She brought along the two youngest children, leaving the four older boys behind in Meycauayan. They would only see each other on weekends, if time and money allowed. From then on, the brothers were left to live on their own, learning to survive on limited means while finding small jobs to help cover their school expenses. Childhood quickly gave way to maturity, as they navigated life without the guidance they once depended on.

With music running in their blood, the three older brothers found their way into a marching band. After school and on weekends, they played at fiestas, birthdays, and even funerals to earn extra income. While they were away, Fred often stayed at home, taking care of the household and managing daily chores on his own. As responsibilities grew heavier and some of his brothers began building families of their own, they eventually chose to stop schooling after high school. Among them, only Fred continued his education.

During his high school years at Lolomboy National High School in Bocaue, Bulacan, Fred became determined to learn how to play musical instruments, guided by his brothers. He saw this as a way to earn a scholarship, which led him to join the school band, an experience that also helped him slowly open up and develop his social skills. Alongside this, he continued playing basketball at school. On weekends, he performed with a marching band, playing at various events. This routine of balancing school, music, and responsibility continued until he finished high school.

After graduating, Fred felt that he could not meet the financial demands of college, so he decided to stop schooling for the meantime. Determined to continue his education someday, he went to Divisoria to live with his mother and two younger siblings while working to save money. He found a job as a messenger at Sunflower Insurance Agency in Binondo, Manila. Through years of patience and discipline, he was able to save enough, and after five years, he finally earned the chance to enroll in college.

In 1995, he enrolled at the University of Manila in Recto, taking up BSBA major in Marketing. By day, he continued working as a messenger, and by night, he attended classes until 9 p.m. When his salary proved insufficient, he returned to performing with marching bands on weekends, making a strong comeback not only to earn extra income but also to secure another scholarship. In 1999, he graduated, a product of years of sacrifice and perseverance. But just as one chapter closed, another began. After all the hard work he poured into his education, he soon realized that the real battle was only just beginning.

Due to limited opportunities related to his course, he was not able to secure a stable job right away. But that did not stop him. He took on various jobs far from his field, working as a construction worker, factory worker, and waiter, most of them on an on-call basis. Each role became part of his journey, a step toward something better. In 2002, a breakthrough finally came when he was accepted as a traffic enforcer at the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA). His dedication quickly set him apart, and in just three months, he was reassigned to an office position under the Traffic Education and Information Division as a Roadside Adjudicator.

Once again, the wheel of fate seemed to turn in Fred’s favor during this time. He married his longtime partner, whom he met during his days as a factory worker, and together they were blessed with their only daughter, Rianna. In 2004, his journey took a new direction as he entered the tollways industry. Along with several colleagues from MMDA, he applied as a patrol crew member and was fortunate to be one of only four who were accepted. From there, he persevered and steadily rose through the ranks until he became a Team Leader in 2008, and eventually a Traffic Supervisor in 2020.

Through all the hardships Fred endured, he never forgot where he came from or how he got through it, even as life slowly began to favor him. Wanting to give back, he and one of his older brothers started a voluntary charity initiative in 2017. Believing that music had helped carry them through their lowest moments, he hoped it could do the same for others. Together, they began offering free instrument training to out-of-school youth in their barangay, even going as far as buying secondhand instruments so the children would have something to use. But not everyone believed in their purpose. Some doubted in what they were building.

The lack of support from those around them, combined with the growing demands of work and family, eventually forced them to stop. But in 2024, everything changed. Seeing two of their former students use music as a way to continue their studies reignited something in them. This time, together with some cousins, they brought the initiative back to life. With visible results and renewed purpose, support began to follow, even from the parents of the children. What started again with two students grew to eight, and now to twelve, each one carrying the same hope that once carried Fred.

In the end, Fred’s story is not just about the curveballs he faced or the comebacks he made, but the choice to keep going when life gave him every reason to stop. From a boy who once ran home in fear, to a man now giving others a chance to rise, he turned his struggles into something greater than himself. And in every life he has touched, one truth remains, not all paths are straight, some lead to purpose… even when the road bends.