𝟒𝐏𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 | “𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬: 𝐌𝐲 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐩”

 𝟒𝐏𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 (#1) | “𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬: 𝐌𝐲 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐩”

“To the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, marami pong salamat. We became part of this program and sobrang laking tulong ng financial assistance na binibigay niyo po para sa pang-araw araw na gastusin naming lalo na sa aming pag-aaral”. (We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Being beneficiaries of this program has been immensely beneficial, particularly the financial support that aids us in our daily expenses, especially in our pursuit of education.)

- Marinela M. Ocampo, 24, a resident of Barangay Beleng, Bayambang, Pangasinan.

Marinela graduated as magna cum laude from PSU-Bayambang, class of 2022, and was a topnotcher in the licensure examination for teachers in September 2023. She comes from a broken family; her parents separated when she was only seven years old. She is the third of four children, and her strong mother raised them well, becoming their sole provider.

She said, "Growing up with a single parent was not easy at all. Her father left us with nothing and did not provide any financial support, making things very difficult for us.“ Sobrang hirap po ng buhay namin. At alam ko pong sobrang hirap na hirap po si Mama nang mga panahong yun. Kaya sabi ko, hindi pwedeng ganito lang kami at hindi pwedeng mahirap lang kami palagi.” (Our life was very hard, and I know it was especially tough for Mama during those times. So I decided that we couldn't continue living this way and remain poor forever.)

Her eldest brother and Marinela were financially supported by their Aunt Leni (their mother's eldest sister) during their elementary and high school years. Aunt Leni provided them with pocket money and other school necessities since their mother was only earning from making abaca ropes called ”karetel.” The income their mother received was mostly spent on milk for their younger siblings.

According to her, “I viewed education as the key to improving my family's financial situation, but it was never easy. Despite the hardships, I was determined to pursue my studies. In Grade 2, I made a firm promise to myself that I would study diligently.”

She graduated from elementary school as the class valedictorian and was admitted to the Special Science Class Program at Basista National High School. Despite the additional expenses of commuting to a school a bit far from home, she was grateful for the support of her mom and aunt. Their encouragement motivated Marinela to work even harder. She was determined to make every penny they invested in her education worthwhile and to make them proud. Maintaining the top rank in her class from Grade 7 to Grade 9, she finished junior high school as the second-highest achiever in the same program.

Initially, she aspired to pursue a bachelor's degree in either medicine or engineering. However, she set aside that dream early on due to the financial challenges her family faced, realizing they couldn't afford it.

All entrance exams for other schools were over and PSU was her only hope. Therefore, she opted to enroll in an education course. She secured a scholarship from the Department of Science and Technology at PSU-Bayambang.

At that time, her sole focus was on studying. she was willing to pursue any course that allowed her to continue learning. Over the years, she discovered a genuine passion for acquiring knowledge. Her mind and body craved learning. Despite initially lacking a passion for teaching, she learned to embrace it and completed the course with honors, graduating magna cum laude.

While awaiting the graduation ceremony scheduled on August 31, 2022, she took the opportunity to move to Metro Manila and worked in a BPO company in Taguig City as a call center agent. Within just 5 months, she was fortunate enough to be recognized for her potential and was promoted to Supervisor position. She found joy in being able to contribute to her family's needs and support her siblings, particularly in assisting with the expenses for her older brother and the education expenses for the youngest sibling.

In May 2023, she decided to resign from her job to focus on studying and preparing for the September 2023 LET. She also received a scholarship from the review center where she enrolled. Throughout the period from May to September, her main focus was on reviewing. Both her older brother and boyfriend provided financial assistance, in addition to offering moral support. She dedicated a minimum of 12 hours every day to her review sessions.

She stated that, "On the day of the exam, I felt confident about two subjects, but I was a little uncertain about my specialization, which is Science. So, I decided to be transparent with my mother and family, admitting that I encountered challenges and that my aspirations of achieving a top rank were fading."

After the exam, she returned to Taguig and resumed her job as a call center agent to support her family financially. The waiting period for the exam results was excruciating, and she felt anxious right up until the moment they were released.

According to her, ”I remembered that I prayed to God na kahit hindi na lang po topnotcher basta pumasa po ako. I pleaded until I was able to sleep. (I recall praying fervently to God, asking Him to grant me success in the exam, even if I didn't achieve the top position. I continued pleading with Him until I finally managed to fall asleep.) I am deeply grateful to God for the ongoing blessings He showers upon me and my family. To my astonishment, I found my name ranked seventh. It's truly remarkable that on December 7, I achieved a TOP 7 (seven) position in the September 2023 licensure exam for professional teachers.

Marinela is now an educator and a full-time review lecturer at the Professional Academic Review Center.

Proud po akong member po kami ng 4Ps. Sobrang salamat po and happy po akong ibahagi ang istorya ko at ng pamilya namin. Nawa’y marami pong ma-inspire na kabataan sa aking kwento, lalo na yung mga members din po ng 4Ps, na mas magsumikap pa sa pag-aaral. Nawa’y mas marami pa rin pong matulungan ang 4Ps lalung-lalo na po yung mga karapat-dapat maging miyembro ng programa. (I am proud to say that we are members of the 4Ps. I am extremely grateful and happy to share our story and our family. I hope that many young people, especially fellow members of the 4Ps, will be inspired to work even harder in their studies through my story. May the 4Ps continue to help more deserving individuals, especially those who are eligible to become members of the program.)

(by: ROXANNE G. TORIO, PDOII/Municipal Link / Pantawid Pamilya)