CARLES, Iloilo — In this world wherein nothing is permanent, we are given limited chances. We are given limited access to what we want. We are given limited time to what we may achieve. We are given limited strength to what we may do. We are given limited choices, and we got no other choice but to live, embrace, and make something good out of this limited living.
Julie Ann Pancho Basea, born in Brgy Tarong, Carles Iloilo grew up from a family with six children, and she is the eldest. Her father is a fisherman, while her mother stays at home to take care of them. Her father’s income is not enough to cover all their needs. At such a young age Julie is already aware of that, that’s why she never felt any remorse when, after finishing high school, her mother told her that they can no longer afford to send her to college.
To be able to help her parents, Julie worked as a housemaid for two years. Those two years as a housemaid made her realize how difficult life is. She pitied herself thinking that those honors and awards during elementary and high school years were of no use since she is stocked in poverty with no way out.
But God is really good. One day a scholarship came from DSWD. She never holds back from the opportunity. Eventually, after taking the CAT Exam (where she ranked as no.1), She became one of the ESGPPA scholars and she decided to take up Bachelor of Secondary Education specializing in English.
Though Julie became a full scholar, still, a college had been easy for her. Lots of sleepless nights were spent in the computer shop doing homework, reports and research papers because she doesn’t have a personal computer. Julie can’t forget an instance where she lost all of her work on the computer because of power interruption, leaving her hopeless, heartbroken and crying.
She also experienced skipping meals because she ran out of money. She even sent excuse letters to her professors pretending that she is sick when in fact the reason is she just don’t have enough amount of money to pay for certain expenses. She never experienced attending the Junior and Senior (JS ) Prom because instead of buying (or renting) a gown and paying for a make-up artist, she saved the money for the thesis.
She also worked as a tutor after school which covered the payment for her boarding house for two years.
After four challenging years, her efforts were paid off. It’s not just being able to graduate, but being able to surpass it all with flying colors.
Julie’s experiences during her college years taught her one thing in life, there will always be road bumps, but all of these will certainly provide you with a strong will, heart, and mind that you’ll need in a journey full of dizzying changes and stomach-churning instances.
“The secret? Never ever give up! Just like I did. Because life will never hand you challenges that you can never handle”, she said. //dswd6//MGC (Writer: Ma. Theresa Sta. Ana, Municipal Link-Carles, Iloilo/Iloilo POO)