Erwin Macua worked as a security guard in Saint Theresa’s College, Cebu City, for nearly two decades. This month he has graduated from the same school with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, cum laude.
A husband and father of three, Erwin enrolled for a degree in 2013. At night, he did his guarding duties from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. And during the day, he studied full time, carrying a load as full as his classmates’.
He paid for his matriculation fees on his freshman year using all his savings. For subsequent academic years, an anonymous donor covered his tuition for the rest of his program. While still waiting to take the licensure exam for teachers, Erwin continues to do his security job for Saint Theresa’s College at night.
Regine Villamejo recently graduated magna cum laude from the University of San Jose Recoletos-Cebu City, with a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and Commerce, majoring in communication and marketing.
Regine comes from fisherfolk parents, with two other siblings. Her father goes out to sea at 3 a.m. and spends 12 hours fishing. His average catch a day is worth P700 to P1,000. Regine’s mother would sell the catch on the roadside near their nipa hut.
Meriam Libongcogon has graduated from the Philippine Military Academy’s (PMA) Salaknib Class of 2017. She has always been a studious student, earning medals and honors.
At 16, she worked as a housemaid to support her family. Meriam learned about the PMA, took the examinations and passed it. With her savings and at age 25, she became one of the country’s newest Philippine Navy ensigns.
Erwin’s, Regine’s and Meriam’s are among the exemplary stories worth retelling and repeating. They show that one can succeed with diligence, perseverance and talent. Credit should be given, as well, to our mass- education system that—despite its warts and weaknesses—enables ambitious and gifted Filipinos to ascend the social and economic ladder.
With the passage of the proposed Free Higher Education for All Act, there will be more Erwins, Regines and Meriams.
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