On a construction site in Baguio City, the work is repetitive and demanding. Cement is mixed, walls rise slowly, and progress shows only after hours of physical effort. For Jonathan Sabio, 22, known to friends as Atan, this steady rhythm means something he once thought was out of reach: stability.

Atan hails from from Rodriguez, Rizal. He finished elementary school, but finding regular work proved difficult. Days without income stretched into months, and uncertainty became his norm. Without stable employment, his life felt directionless.

“My life wasn’t good,” he said. “I had no job and was getting into vices.”

With few options, Atan relied on informal labor when it was available. The lack of steady work left him dependent and frustrated, and caused strain at home, especially with his mother.

Things began to change when Atan joined skills training under the Households Economic Resilience Strengthening (HERS) project, supported by CARE and partners. Through the project, he trained in construction masonry and secured his first formal job, complete with benefits.

Moving to Baguio for training and work became an important turning point. Being away from home gave him space to focus and step away from habits he wanted to leave behind.

“I was able to get away from our place,” he said. “I was able to avoid all the bad things I used to do.”

For the first time, Atan had steady work. After working consistently for four months, he began saving money and sending support home to his mother. What once felt impossible became routine.

“I was able to help my mother, unlike before, when I only caused her worry,” he shared.

The job brought more than income. The physical work helped improve his health, and working alongside others strengthened his communication and interpersonal skills. Over time, he grew more confident in his abilities and in his future.

With practical skills and on‑the‑job experience, he now sees construction as a long‑term livelihood. He knows that when the current project in Baguio City ends, other opportunities are likely to follow.

Looking back, he sees a clear line between who he was and who he is becoming.

“What I won’t forget is that, despite my old way of life, everything changed when I joined the HERS Project,” he said.

Today, Atan takes pride in steady work and in being able to support his family. His story shows how access to skills and formal employment can help young people regain direction and build a more stable future, one day of work at a time.