4Ps Success Stories Series (#5) | Pagbagtas sa Masukal na Daan tungo sa Tagumpay

 4Ps Success Stories Series (#5) | Pagbagtas sa Masukal na Daan tungo sa Tagumpay

“Walang salitang 'mahirap' sa taong may pangarap. Subalit hindi natin maitatanggi na nasa lipunan tayo na maging ang edukasyon ay binibili at kailangan ng salapi para maging tungtungan para maabot ito. Kaya sa pag-abot ko ng aking pangarap, umalalay ang Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program na programa ng ating gobyerno para sa katulad naming nasa laylayan at hindi nakakaangat sa buhay.” (There is no such thing as “too difficult” for someone with a dream. However, we cannot deny that we live in a society where education is obtained for a fee and indeed a huge amount of money is needed as a foundation to achieve it. That is why in pursuing my dream, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, a government program that helps and supports the marginalized and underprivileged sectors, including our household, has been a great help.)

Pat. Jay Marc D. Catalan is a 4Ps beneficiary and a member of the household of Mrs. Marilou D. Catalan from Purok 3, Barangay Sanlibo, Bayambang, Pangasinan. He graduated with a Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Filipino and is currently a full-fledged workforce member of the Philippine National Police.

According to Mr. Catalan, he was able to experience a carefree life when he was growing up due to the ceaseless efforts of his parents. When he was younger, he was unaware of the hardships his parents endured to provide for them. It wasn’t until high school that he began to comprehend the sacrifices his parents made. He realized that life is full of hardship without financial stability and freedom. His father, a hardworking farmer and fruit picker, worked tirelessly to ensure their family had enough to eat and that their children could pursue their education. His mother, a Barangay Health Worker, dedicated herself to her community while earning a modest income. She was indeed an active community volunteer and served as a Parent Leader in the program for several years. Inspired by their example, Mr. Catalan learned to assist his father with farming and animal husbandry. The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program provided invaluable support to their household, helping them to meet their daily needs and allowing them to focus on their studies.

He also said, “Noong bata pa ako, gusto ko talaga maging pulis. Ito ang pangarap ko sa simula pa lamang at ito na lagi ang isinasaisip ko kaya gusto kong kumuha ng kursong Kriminolohiya pagtungtong ko sa kolehiyo. Dumating ang araw na nakapagtapos na ako sa senior high school at nakatanggap ng may karangalan o with honors, na siyang naging preparasyon ko sa pagtungtong ko sa kolehiyo.” (I've always wanted to be a police officer. That's been my dream since the beginning, and it's always been on my mind. That is the reason why I always wanted to take up Criminology when I had the chance to study in college. The time came when I graduated from senior high school with honors, which also prepared me for college.)

However, a few months before his enrollment in college, Mr. Catalan and his mother had an earnest conversation. Despite his aspiration to pursue Criminology, his mother advised him to take other university programs due to financial limitations. She explained that the family couldn't afford the tuition fee and that borrowing money would further strain their already tight budget. Instead, his mother suggested that he took up Education as his major course. Mr. Catalan then decided to apply for a government scholarship program at Pangasinan State University, Bayambang Campus, where he could earn a Bachelor of Secondary Education degree in Filipino without incurring tuition fees. To his relief, he was accepted and became a government scholar.

During his college days, despite not paying his tuition or higher fees, Mr. Catalan faced significant financial challenges. The family's existing debts, coupled with the ongoing expenses for books and transportation, made it difficult to make ends meet. He had to carefully manage his allowance to cover his daily needs, saving any surplus for future expenses related to his studies. Remarkably, in August 2022, Mr. Catalan successfully completed his college education, earning a well-deserved diploma. This accomplishment was a testament to his parents' unwavering support and sacrifices. Consequently, he aspired to obtain a teaching license and become a Licensed Professional Teacher. However, deep inside, he had never forgotten his dream to become a police officer. He remained motivated to obtain his license as a stepping stone to his main goal.

He further related that, “Alam kong wala ulit kaming pambayad sa review center, kung saan P10,000 ang kailangan. Kaya't umutang sila Mama ko para makapag-enroll ako sa isang review center sa Dagupan. Ako nama'y tumulong sa pagtatanim at pag-aabono ng mga mais para may pambili ako ng mga libro at pamasahe papuntang review center. Dito ko naramdaman ang bigat ng reponsibilidad at kaba na, "Paano kung hindi ako nakapasa? Masasayang lang ang pera na inutang pa nila at masasayang din ang anim na buwang igugugol.” (I knew we couldn't afford to pay for a review center since it costed P10,000. So my mother borrowed money so I could enroll at a review center in Dagupan City. In order to help them, I also worked on the farm, planting and fertilizing corn to earn money for books and transportation going to the review center. I really felt a heavy burden of responsibility. In addition, I was also nervous about failing. I thought, what if I didn't make it? The money they had borrowed would just be wasted, together with six months of my time at the review center.)

Despite the demanding nature of his review, Mr. Catalan remained dedicated to his academic pursuits in order to obtain his license while also assisting his family with agricultural tasks. The relentless schedule, coupled with the emotional toll of studying under pressure, often led to feelings of exhaustion and self-doubt. However, one of their lecturers in the review center had inspired him the most. According to Mr. Catalan, the lecturer often mentioned the inspirational words, “It is hard to be poor, but it is harder to be a person without dreams.” This statement inspired him to persevere. Driven by a sense of responsibility to his family, he poured his heart and soul into his review, recognizing the immense sacrifices they had made for him.

The exam took place on March 19, 2023, with the results announced on May 19, 2023. While many eagerly shared the news of their passing the exam, Mr. Catalan initially hesitated to check his own results. ...Until Mr. Catalan received a message from a friend, and to his surprise, he learned that he passed the licensure examination for teachers. Returning home with the news, he witnessed his parents' overwhelming joy and relief, validating all the sacrifices they had made. He had achieved a score of 84.20%.

Finally, Mr. Catalan can now pursue his dream of becoming a police officer. Nonetheless, again, his parents would have to take another financial risk. The expenses for the police application process were triple the cost of the review center. As a solution, his mother borrowed money from relatives and friends as Mr. Catalan made the journey. He traveled to Manila with courage and faith, joining thousands of other applicants. Based on Mr. Catalan’s experience, the recruitment process was long and rigorous, lasting more than two months. It was a real test of their endurance. He then thought that if he gave up and failed, his family would be buried deep in debt, and all their hopes would be shattered. Lastly, he also thought that since he was the eldest brother, he was the sole hope of his family.

At last, Pat. Jay Marc D. Catalan was among the first 400 individuals to take the oath on November 15, 2023, fulfilling his lifelong dream of becoming a police officer. The rigorous training which presented with numerous challenges, including hunger, lack of sleep, and demanding physical requirements, was finally behind him. Despite the hardships, he remained resolute, refusing to give up on his goal. His unwavering determination and resilience ultimately paid off, as he officially became a police officer, a dream he once thought was unattainable for someone from a humble background.

To conclude this story, Mr. Catalan ends it with the phrases, “Isang lisensyadong guro... ngayon ay pulis na ng Gobyerno. Lubos ang pasasalamat ko sa programa ng ating gobyerno na Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program na naging isa sa sandata ko para lampasan ang pagsubok na daraanan para makamit ang aking pangarap. ...Para makasabay sa lipunan at magtagumpay sa buhay.” (A licensed teacher is now a government police officer. I am deeply grateful for our government's Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program which served as one of my tools to overcome the challenges I faced to achieve my dreams. ...To be able to keep up with the rest of society and succeed in life.)

(by: Richard D. Rivera Jr., Municipal Link, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program)