HIMAMAYLAN City, Negros Occidental –

“Take delight in the Lord, and He will give the desires of your heart” (Psalms 37:4)

I am, Aldwin Mark Oliveros Apuhan, 22 years old. The eldest son of couple Armando and Ema Apuhan. My mother is one of the Parent Leaders of Barangay III of this city while my father is a Pastor. I grew up in a happy and devoted family which I am proud of.

But financially, our family is way too far from other families who can afford to buy whatever they want.

Being a Pastor is just purely voluntary and has no income. To sustain our daily needs, my father works as a carpenter during weekdays.

Our life is not that easy when we are not yet a 4Ps beneficiary. During elementary, I only had asPhp2.00 pesos baon every time I went to school. However, when our household became a 4Ps beneficiary, our lives became different.

Since I am a monitored child, it inspired me to do well in my studies because we have already cash grants to sustain our school needs as well as buy food to complete our daily meals.

Through determination and opportunity to study, I finally finished my course as a Bachelor of Science in Criminology graduate at Carlos Hilado Memorial State University-Binalbagan Campus only last year.

Lucky, I also passed the February 2024 Licensure Examination for Criminologists which was only released last week. Being a degree holder and a Licensed Criminologist is overwhelming and grateful that all of my struggles including the sacrifices of our parents become fruitful.

For now, I am looking for a job to sustain our daily needs while waiting for the opening quota of either the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Jail and Penology and Bureau of Fire Protection. I want to be a part of these men in uniform because I also want to repay the government for all the opportunities given to us by protecting the peace and order of our country.

For me, there will be big changes in our lives after I get a better job soon because my family is always my priority. To my fellow 4Ps beneficiaries, dream big and let no one ruin your dreams. If you want to reach your dream, strive hard and pray that God will guide you every step of the way. Be courageous to face all trials in life, have perseverance and determination to finish your studies, and don’t let the poverty hinder you from reaching it. (Submitted by: Municipal Link Diadem Joy L. Lacida, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental POO2)