From Humble Beginnings to Dreams Fulfilled

"A Testament of Resilience, Faith, and Gratitude"

I am a woman filled with dreams, passion, courage, faith, and determination. But as life goes on, I have come to realize that life isn’t as easy as I once believed.

I grew up in a dysfunctional family, coming from an underprivileged background. From a young age, I witnessed firsthand how difficult life could be. I saw my mother pour every ounce of strength into making sure I could go to school. Her sacrifices were endless, and she is my living testament to the journey I’ve taken—every hardship I’ve endured just to reach where I am today. Despite everything, one thing has remained constant: my dream of becoming a teacher. That dream has never wavered, and it continues to fuel my passion and purpose.

I truly climbed the ladder to get where I am today—but as I always say, it was never easy. I’ve faced countless obstacles along the way. One of the biggest challenges that tested my faith was when I reached the point of entering college. It was a cold afternoon when reality hit me hard. I had applied to a university here in our city, but unfortunately, they offered me a course far from what I had always dreamed of. It broke me a little—but not enough to stop me. As a woman fueled with determination and a heart full of passion for teaching, I knew I couldn’t settle.

So, I turned down the offer. I gathered all my courage and spoke to my mother, pleading with her to let me pursue college—specifically at St. Michael’s College, the school I had set my heart on.

Those words broke my heart—not because she couldn’t send me to college, but because I saw the pain in her eyes as she watched her daughter plead for a chance. It wasn’t rejection that hurt me most, it was knowing how much it hurt her to say no. But did that stop me? Did my mother’s words discourage me and make me give up? No. Instead, they became my light, my hope. They fueled a deeper fire in me—to show her that our situation would not stop me. In every struggle, I found strength. In every tear, I found purpose.

And that purpose led me to the Club 69ers —my scholarship sponsor from Grade 5 until Senior High School. You might be wondering, “Weren’t you already on a scholarship?” Yes, I was. However, our agreement was that I could only continue my scholarship if I studied at a public institution. This was because they had once funded a scholar in a private institution, but unfortunately, that journey didn’t end well. Due to unforeseen circumstances, their support was put to waste. That experience left them heartbroken and hesitant to trust again.

Still, I chose not to give up. I reached out to them with a humble heart and hopeful spirit. I wrote them a letter—pouring out my dreams, my determination, and my unwavering desire to continue my studies at Saint Michael’s College, the school I had always set my heart on. When Tita Nena read my letter, the response wasn’t what I had hoped for. That they couldn’t approve my request because tuition at St. Michael’s College was too expensive. At the time, they only wanted to sponsor students enrolled at MSU-IIT, where they could manage by giving a monthly allowance instead of covering full tuition.

But then, something unexpected happened. Tita Nena read my letter again during their Zoom Prayer Meeting. That was when Tita Manette Aberilla was deeply moved by what I had written, and the rest of the 69ers also. My words touched their hearts—especially that of Tita Cecil Garrido. And because of that, they all came together and made a life-changing decision. They believed in me.

They had seen my dedication and resilience through the years. So, they gave me a chance to change the narrative. They funded my full tuition from first year to fourth year, provided me with a laptop for my online classes, and even gave me a monthly allowance to support my needs. This organization has truly been a blessing—an instrument sent by God. They became the light that guided me through the darkest parts of my journey. Because of their support, I was able to finish college—and now, I am in a position to help my family as well.

In fact, the 69ers are a group of alumni who graduated from St. Michael’s College in 1969. They came together with one mission: to uplift and support students who, like they once were, needed a helping hand to reach their dreams. The organization is led by kind and generous women—fondly called the “Titas”—including Cecilia Garrido, Helen Badelles, Regina Gamolo, Susan Decierdo, Manette Aberilla, Winona Congman (†), Maribel Echavez (†), and the rest of the 24 committed members who continue to change lives through their compassion and generosity. The 69ers Organization also supports the “Iskolar ni San Miguel” program, which has helped many other Michaelites—students like me who came from underprivileged families but carried the same determination to continue despite the odds.

With a humble heart, I would like to say these words to my 69ers Organization Titas: I made it. Your generosity has been instrumental in shaping my journey from elementary school to college. I am profoundly grateful for your unwavering trust in me. It is no small feat to finance a college education, yet you have placed your faith in my abilities. I assure you that your investment in my education will not go to waste. I am committed to fulfilling your advice to always support my mother and my family. May you find joy in knowing that your kindness will continue to uplift others who, like me, come from humble beginnings but aspire to achieve their dreams.

And to all the organizations dedicated to supporting underprivileged students with aspirations, your generosity and support have opened doors that we once thought were beyond our reach. This scholarship not only eases the financial burden of our education but also serves as a powerful motivation for us to strive for excellence in all that we do. Your contribution is truly a blessing from above. I offer a heartfelt salute.

With that, may my story serve as a reminder and motivation for us to continue supporting the Iskolar ni San Miguel program. Who knows—someday, you might read another story like mine, written by a student filled with gratitude, thanking each one of you for opening doors to greater opportunities. Your support does not only change lives—it builds futures, creates hope, and ignites dreams.

Because of your support, the child who once dreamed with a burning heart is now a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the Class of 2024-2025 and a Licensed Professional Teacher of 2025. I promise to carry this blessing forward by helping others achieve their own dreams.

Daghang salamat, and may the love of God, be always your reward.