When people say someone is working for peanuts, they don’t mean that positively, but this college student from the Philippines just proved them wrong. While most college students look forward to returning home after a long day of classes, Ariston Era III has another responsibility waiting for him.A third-year Marine Engineering student at the University of the Visayas, Ariston spends his nights selling peanuts on the streets, sometimes continuing until 3 am. A time when most students are busy getting their lives together and figuring things out, he has built a routine around his studies, one that has helped him pay his own tuition fees, manage his daily expenses, and even help his family.
A journey that began at the age of 11
Ariston’s experience with selling began long before he entered college. During a conversational podcast with SunStar’s Beyond the Headlines, he talked about his life journey. At just 11 years old, he started helping his mother sell homemade food such as embutido and empanadas within their neighbourhood in Bogo City. His mother, who had also sold goods and food while studying in college, became his biggest inspiration.His first independent venture was selling quail eggs, which he sourced from a neighbour. When that business stopped, he tried selling mangoes but soon realised that carrying them around was too tiring, eventually switching to peanuts, which were not only easier to transport and had a longer shelf life.What began as a way to earn some money gradually became part of his everyday life. However, Ariston says he does not see selling as something he does only because he has no other choice. For him, it is also about making productive use of his time and earning through honest work.
Balancing marine engineering and selling peanuts
AI representation of Ariston Era III selling peanuts to classmates
His schedule leaves little to no room for himself. After selling peanuts late into the night, Ariston wakes up at around 5 am, irons his uniform, prepares his stock and checks everything he needs to take to college, where he needs to be before 7:30 am before the commencement of classes, partly because some of his regular customers are fellow students who want to buy peanuts before classes.He has been taking full responsibility for his tuition and daily allowance since his second year. As the eldest of five siblings, he also wants to be in a position to help his family whenever they need financial support. His four younger siblings are still studying, and he says he is ready to contribute whenever his family is short of money.His parents were initially worried about him selling on the streets, particularly because he was living and studying in Cebu. He even kept the work from them at first, but they eventually came around and supported his decision to continue.
His mother remains his biggest inspiration
Ariston’s mother has played an important role in shaping how he looks at work. Having seen her continue selling goods while pursuing her own education, he grew up understanding that earning a living through small businesses was nothing to be embarrassed about.He also does not want people to look down on him for selling peanuts. In his view, there is nothing shameful about doing honest work, and he would rather spend his time earning and helping hsi family than pretend to be someone he is not.For Ariston, the path is clear- to build a business that could be proudly his and though he hopes to see himself at the sea, marine Engineering, for him, is more of a way to raise the capital and build financial stability for his family.
From selling peanuts to building a business
Ariston Era III, the marine engineering student who works as a street vendor after class to pay his fees wants to build a business empire (Image- Canva)
That ambition is already taking shape. Ariston is currently working on setting up a local delivery service called Speedy Delivery in Bogo City. The idea is to handle everyday errands and deliveries, including food, groceries and medicines, across nearby areas. Some of his friends, who were previously unemployed, have joined the effort as delivery riders, while Ariston also takes on deliveries himself. The team is still working through the necessary paperwork.His plans go beyond delivery services, with interests in real estate and other businesses. He hopes that one day, if he becomes financially comfortable, he can build a shelter for stray animals, including dogs, cats and snakes, which he believes are often the most misunderstood and unfairly portrayed creatures.For now, however, his days continue to revolve around college, peanuts and the business he hopes to build. Ariston believes that people should not measure their progress against someone else’s journey, and that having less money does not mean having no hope or ambition. For a student who has spent years balancing his education with work, that belief is reflected in the choices he continues to make.
