“There is nothing impossible in fulfilling our desires in life. Yes, there are problems, but these are the reasons for us to be strong and strong towards success (Walang imposible sa pagtupad sa ating mga ninanais sa buhay. Oo, nandiyan ang mga problema, pero ito ang mga dahilan upang tayo’y maging matatag at matibay tungo sa tagumpay),” this is Maricel L. Aldovino’s message to her fellow 4Ps beneficiaries who are hesitating to pursue their own dreams because they already have their own family. 

Harvesting the fruits of labor

Since 2011, Maricel has been a 4Ps grantee from Kawit, Gloria, Oriental Mindoro and a Parent Leader for eight (8) years. She diligently raises her two children together with her husband who is a tricycle driver and farmer at the same time. Even though Maricel hasn’t finished high school, she chose to enter the Alternative Learning System (ALS) in 2014 in order to obtain a certificate and later, a job. With the bright encouragement of her ALS teacher, she decided to continue college in 2015 so she could turn her dreams into reality.

In time, Maricel graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education major in Pre-School last 2020 in Innovative College of Science and Technology (ICST). After studying and striving really hard, she took the Licensure Exam for Teachers (LET) in 2022 and she is now a Licensed Professional Teacher (LPT). She was also blessed to pass the Sub-Professional Civil Service Exam in the same year.

The strength we need for tomorrow

The hardest experience that brought Maricel to the peak of giving up was when her husband had a lung disease and diabetes at the same time. This caused him to stop farming and tricycle driving for several months. “I almost had to stop studying, but I did not lose hope (Muntik na akong mapatigil sa pag-aaral, subalit hindi pa rin ako nawalan ng pag-asa),” she said.

She knew that her body’s strength back then didn’t count but the strength of her spirit — spirit of a mother and a wife — besides, her in-laws were there to give them a helping hand, her faith in the Lord who was her first support, and as well as the financial help they received from the Program.

For all that, Maricel learned how to deal with difficult challenges, strategize in times of need, and find other sources of income to help her husband with their daily needs.

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Maricel is grateful to the DSWD Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program for she was able to pursue her interrupted dream. “You have been our companion in fulfilling our dreams. May you be of help to other poor families in order to overcome this poverty (Naging kaagapay po namin kayo sa pagtupad ng aming mga pangarap. Nawa ay marami pa kayong matulungan na maitawid sa kahirapan),” she said.