Isang kahig, isang tuka.

It has been a long time since I last heard that statement from my mother, but I can still vividly remember how that humble beginning became the cornerstone of my success as a son, a student, and an individual.

As a child, I witnessed how cruel life can be when tested by everyday challenges, particularly financial ones. I remember the hopelessness of seeing my parents fight over the little daily wages my father could provide for the family, and my mother expressing how different her life would have been if she had chosen not to start a family.

For any kid, that story would be a major trauma. I always saw how poverty changes a child’s perspective on life. Without a strong mindset and proper guidance from their parents, it is likely that he or she will choose a path that they will regret for the rest of their lives.

I am forever grateful to my mother for instilling in me the belief that poverty should not hinder me from achieving my dreams and for always reminding me that education is the only wealth they can pass on to me. As early as four years old, she taught me how to write, count, read, and memorize my ABCs. Compared to my siblings, my mother focused on teaching me the basics of learning, and I must say her efforts were not in vain.

My dedication to learning and my mother’s unwavering support were further fueled when we became beneficiaries of the government-based program, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). In November 2011, we started receiving financial grants that bolstered our family’s needs in health, education, food, and basic necessities.

With the help of the government, our journey through life’s challenges became more manageable. But like any other story, our peaceful journey did not remain as it was supposed to be. It became a roller-coaster ride – we had our highs, but we were also humbled by hitting the rock bottom of life.

The ride became unsteady when my parents had to support my other four siblings’ education. I always admired how they kept their heads held high, unfazed by poverty, and focused on providing a way out of the difficult situation they had experienced.

I can still remember our dedication and passion for going to school despite skipping breakfast because it was unaffordable at times and not having the privilege of an allowance. I always remember my younger self’s strong mindset that learning was more important than the comforts of life as a student.

With my parents’ constant guidance, I worked hard and finished my elementary education, achieving the unimaginable. As early as Grade 6, I was able to compete nationally and represent the Cagayan Valley Region in Editorial Writing, proving that success is gained through hard work and determination, not wealth. I graduated with First Honorable Mention at Solano South Central School, marking the first major step toward the life I always wanted for myself and my family.

My academic journey continued smoothly during my junior and senior high school years. I finished junior high school with High Honors, earning the highest award in our batch. In senior high school, I transformed from a shy, timid student into a leader who championed progress and development in the school community, representing the entire student body of Solano High School.

As a leader, I achieved greater heights, including being a National Awardee for my project on Kabataan Kontra Droga under the Drug Education Program. My senior high school years focused on leadership while maintaining my academics, culminating in graduating with the highest award in my batch.

After these sweet successes, a major problem arose. My mother admitted she could no longer support me in college since my assistance from 4Ps had ended. I was saddened but understood the situation, witnessing my family’s circumstances and my parents’ desire to support my younger siblings as well.

However, another opportunity opened up. As a college-bound individual, I had the chance to take a scholarship examination provided by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Despite limited availability and my doubts about passing the exam, I understood its importance. Failing was not an option. My eagerness to finish my studies drove me, and I succeeded. I was one of the 9,852 passers out of 73,712 examinees in the country’s premier science scholarship programs.

That scholarship became my enabler, allowing me to continue what I had started. With determination, I enrolled at Saint Mary’s University, a Center of Development for Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.

As I neared the end of my bachelor’s degree, another tragedy struck. I lost my father during the first semester of my third year in college. It was my biggest heartbreak, as I was unable to lift my father out of poverty. He was one of my biggest supporters, always proud of my achievements. His loss placed a significant burden on my mother, who had to support us both financially and morally.

As the eldest, I became the caregiver for my younger siblings. I knew I had to be a father figure to them and focus on my studies, as education was our only way out of poverty. My sister also persevered, attending college despite not receiving the DOST Scholarship. She became an inspiration to my other siblings, demonstrating that failure does not define success. She worked as a student, financing her own studies with the help of the CHED-TDP Program.

Now, we are close to achieving our goals. I am a graduate of the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and will take the licensure examination on November 16-17, 2024. My sister is in her third year, and my other siblings are dedicated to their studies, understanding that education is the greatest weapon against poverty.

Our family story may be less than ideal, lacking the comforts of life, but it has built the strong family we are today. Being tested by poverty, my mother being a solo parent, and all the difficulties we faced became the force that drives us to success.

That force was strengthened by the government’s help, providing the financial support we needed. Without the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Department of Science and Technology Scholarship, our lives would not be different from other children who lost their dreams at an early age.

No words can express how grateful we are for this opportunity. One thing is for sure, I’ll get that November 2024 License for Civil Engineers and will be committed to working for the government, contributing to society in whatever way I can. As my education chapter comes to an end, I am hopeful that brighter days are coming for me and my family.

The journey might not be over yet, but I know the grand line is just waiting for us to cross. From “isang kahig, isang tuka” to achieving the comforts of life through humble beginnings – this is the story of my family, one we will be forever proud of.#

 

Story Written by: Dangel H. Lomboy (4Ps Beneficiary)