GRADUATION is a proud moment for students, especially for parents, but the road leading to it may not always be a walk in the park.
Getting that college diploma was never easy for Meriam Libongcogon, who graduated last March 12 at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Salaknib Class of 2017.
Libongcogon, when she was 16 years old, had to work as a maid for five years to support her studies and her family.
Her work led her to enter the PMA after learning that her employer’s son was an instructor in the academy in Baguio City.
“I did not see my being poor as a torture but I made it my inspiration,” she said.
She is now a junior commissioned officer, an ensign in the Philippine Navy.
Another graduate has shown to the world that poverty will never be a hindrance to success.
Jaykummer “Dodoy” Teberio captured the hearts of commuters and drivers in Cebu, as well as netizens, because of his lively way of selling bottled water in the streets of Mabolo, Cebu City.
Teberio, also known as the "Tubig Queen," has been selling water since he was 12 years old. His earnings helped his parents pay for their expenses and his studies.
His determination even made him surpass all the negative comments he received from people. Some people called him crazy.
Teberio graduated last March 15 with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education major in Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health.
His life story taught people not to give up, but to continue to “fight, fight, fight.”
Another living witness of how hard life is was Jireh Bautista, a son of a shoe repairman in C. Padilla, Cebu City.
Bautista did not sell water bottles or toiled households to finance his studies and his family's expenses. His intelligence made it all possible for him to finish college.
Bautista was granted with scholarships from the Department of Science and Technology, Cebu City Government, Real Life Foundation of Victory Christian Fellowship, and Cebu City National Science High School Batch 1977.
“We wouldn't be able to go to school if not for the scholarships," he said.
He is also an academic scholar of Cebu Institute of Technology University, where he graduated on March 25 with a degree in Computer Science. He was Summa Cum Laude.
Another graduate, also from Cebu City, is a living proof that age doesn’t matter.
Erwin Macua, a security guard at St. Theresa’s College and a scholar, joined the other graduates last March 24 in getting their college diplomas.
Macua worked in the university from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. and attended classes from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
He admitted he considered quitting upon realizing that he lacked time for his family, but he continued anyway.
Besides, guarding the gates of the school made him realize he wanted to have his own advisory class in the future.
Macua graduated as cum laude and is now a degree holder in General Education.
“I’m so happy, I can’t stop smiling. This is so surreal,” said Macua, a father of three children.
Another security guard and a father of five kids also received his college diploma last March 24.
Manuel Alibong Jr. works as a watchman for Colonnade Supermarket in Cebu City. He works as a security guard from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., then goes to class from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A kidney operation in 2013 did not even prompt Alibong to give up on his dreams.
He graduated at Lapu-Lapu City College with a degree in Bachelor in Elementary Education Major in General Education.
“I am willing to leave my work as a security guard when I become a teacher...as I wanted to spend more time with my family here in the island,” he said.
Libongcogon, Teberio, Bautista, Macua, and Alibong had to experience and surpass different challenges to get them to where they are today, but they all have the same traits: hard work, self-determination, and faith in God, which fuelled their passion to earn that most prized possession called a "diploma." (SunStar Philippines)