Cristine Gatan Mateo, 23, of Palutan, San Mariano, Isabela, knows what it feels like for life to be hard. Before her family became beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), every day was a struggle.

“Ang buhay noon ay hindi kasing gaan ng buhay ngayon,” she recalls.

Money was always tight, and simple things like school supplies or basic needs sometimes felt out of reach.

There were countless times Cristine felt like giving up. Balancing school, long hours of studying, and the pressure of helping her family sometimes felt overwhelming. But every time she wanted to quit, she thought of her parents. Her father, Fabinho, a driver, and her mother, Arlene, who worked tirelessly just to make sure she and her siblings could go to school.

“Sila ang nagtulak sa akin na magpatuloy. Kahit pagod at hirap, ginagawa nila lahat para mapag-aral kami,” she shares.

Everything changed when 4Ps supported her. The program built the foundation of her education, giving her the stability and resources to focus on learning rather than worrying about basic needs. “Nakatulong po siya dahil nabibili ko lahat ng kailangan ko sa aking pag-aaral,” she shares. She chose Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering because she wanted to make a difference, not just for herself, but for farmers and the agriculture of the Philippines.

The day she learned that she had not only passed the board examination but had also landed in the Top 10 of the licensure exam, she could hardly contain her joy.

“Sobrang saya po. Hindi lang ako pumasa… topnotcher pa!” she exclaimed.

Her parents’ happiness was beyond words. In that single, unforgettable moment, every sacrifice, sleepless night, and silent prayer found its reward.

Now, as a licensed Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer, Cristine dreams of giving back to her family and helping others through her profession. “Pangarap kong matulungan sila sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay sa kanila ng pangangailangan nila,” she says, her voice full of hope.

Today, Cristine teaches at Isabela State University, Echague campus, inspiring students and encouraging fellow 4Ps beneficiaries: “Patuloy lang kayong mangarap. Hindi hadlang ang kahirapan kung pursigido ka.”

Cristine’s story isn’t just about success. It’s about hope, struggle, and the quiet power of programs like 4Ps that invest in education, values, and life skills, giving children from poor households the chance to break the cycle of poverty and reach futures brighter than they imagined.