MANILA, Philippines — For Ricardo “Jun” Laingo Jr., 35, the path to success wasn’t paved in privilege—it was earned through grit, humility, and an unshakable dream.
Once stationed at the entrance of a Security Bank branch in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte, Jun spent eight years in a security guard’s uniform, quietly nurturing a goal that seemed worlds away: to be on the other side of the counter—as a bank teller.
That dream, forged in hardship and patience, has now come true.
“Labing-isang taon akong security guard, at ngayon ay isa na akong teller,” Jun shared. “Nakaka-proud dahil sa wakas ay nakamit ko rin ang matagal ko nang pinapangarap.”
A Fisherman’s Son With a Fighter’s Heart
Born and raised in the coastal barangay of Miputak, Jun is the youngest of five siblings. His father was a fisherman; his mother sold fish at the local market.
Life was tough, but Jun was tougher. To help his family, he sold fish on weekends and leaned on the support of his teachers to finish elementary and high school.
In 2010, he began working as a security guard, eventually being assigned to Security Bank Dipolog—an unexpected step closer to his dream.
“One reason I chose to be a guard while studying was because I truly dreamed of becoming one of Security Bank’s tellers,” Jun said.
Scholar by Day, Guard by Night
Jun’s turning point came in 2018, when he became a recipient of the Security Bank Foundation’s scholarship program “Regalo Mo, Kinabukasan Ko.” The program supports agency-hired bank employees and their children.
Juggling his job, studies, and family life, Jun enrolled at Dipolog City Institute of Technology, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science—and graduated with honors in 2022, at the age of 32.
Though his first job post-graduation was with a motorcycle company, his heart remained in banking.
Then in March 2025, his long-awaited moment arrived: he was hired as a full-fledged bank teller at Security Bank.
“Stay Humble and Keep Going”
Jun credits his success not only to hard work, but to staying grounded and grateful.
“Ang pinakamahalagang aral na natutunan ko ay ang manatiling mapagkumbaba,” he said. “Pinapangako ko po na gagampanan ko nang maayos ang aking trabaho.”
From guarding doors to handling deposits, Jun Laingo’s story is a powerful reminder that no dream is too distant—and no uniform defines your destiny.
