Testimony of Romena B. Pagay

Cum laude, SEA Teacher in Indonesia

DAO, Capiz – Hello, everyone! My name is Romena B. Pagay, and I am thrilled to share my success story with you today. Hailing from the humble town of Brgy. Lacaron, Dao, Capiz, I am the proud daughter of Mr. Romeo and Mrs. Rowena Pagay. As a former 4Ps recipient, I am proud to say that I am a testament to the power of determination, perseverance, and unwavering faith.

Let me begin my story by delving into my family background. I belong to a big family consisting of eleven siblings, and I am the sixth child among them. My father worked as a landscaper before he got ill, while my mother dedicated her time to being a full-time housewife. We lived a simple life where we could eat three times a day, we had clothes to wear, and we had parents to rely on.

However, everything changed when my father’s illness prevented him from working, plunging our family into financial hardship. This marked a challenging period where we had to navigate through days without a single peso in my pocket every time I went to school, where a mixture of rice and coffee constituted our meal, and where we found contentment in a bowl of noodles with abundant soup.

In those times, I even engaged in selling shells but I’m proud of myself because I never once complained; instead, I enjoyed doing the mentioned activities. Moreover, my resourcefulness became evident when, as a fifth-grade student, I took the initiative to sell a native delicacy (coconut ball) to alleviate my parents’ worries about my allowance. I vividly remember that I woke early and went to school around 6:30 a.m. to ensure I sold all my grated coconut. Additionally, I took and answered the assignments of my classmates to earn a small fee that contributed to my allowance. Despite financial challenges, I never allowed these circumstances to hinder my academic pursuits, and through my hard work and perseverance, I appeared as the first honorable mention when I graduated from elementary school.

Moving forward, I attended high school at Leodegario D. Deocampo Sr. National High School in Capagao, Panitan, Capiz. During this time, I continued my entrepreneurial endeavors. Instead of just selling coconut balls, I include fried lumpia and cheese sticks. I also performed well in my classes and participated in various local and regional competitions. I was recognized as the best speaker in a debate competition during the Fiesta at Panitan and achieved eight commendable placements in our regional school press conference. Alongside these accomplishments, I had several academic achievements to my name. On the other hand, I can say, that the assistance provided by the 4Ps enabled me to continue my studies, especially during high school, and the allowance they provided was truly beneficial.

Now, the time has come for me to pursue my college degree. I discussed my plans with my mother to enroll in the nearby university. It was a practical decision. With my mother’s approval, I independently processed the requirements and applied for admission without anyone accompanying me. I successfully passed the admission test and interview, through God’s grace. I chose to pursue a bachelor’s degree in secondary education with a major in English because I believe that English is a universal language, opening doors to more opportunities in the future.

My first semester in college went well. I rented a boarding house for Php550.00 pesos per month. My sister supported me by providing a monthly allowance of Php400.00 pesos, sometimes even less. Although it wasn’t enough, I always found ways to survive. During our first semester, I achieved the honor of being a dean’s lister. However, life took a dramatic turn when my mother was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer. It shattered my world when my sister informed me through chat about this. Tears welled up in my eyes, and the only words I could utter were, “Lord, why it is my Mom?” I said this because I believed it would be better for me to suffer than for her to endure such pain. Honestly, it was a challenging period, as I carried a heavy heart and mind to school, pretending that everything was fine when I returned home. I offered encouragement to my mother, urging her to follow the doctor’s advice. We didn’t reveal her cancer diagnosis; instead, we maintained a facade of strength, assuring her that she could conquer it.

However, another heartbreaking blow struck me when my sister suggested that I should stop my studies and find work to contribute to my mother’s medical expenses. Despite this, I firmly refused. Instead, I looked for a family who would accept me as a schoolgirl. Through the grace of God, my prayer was answered, and the family of my former high school teacher in Ensenyagan, Panitan, and Capiz welcomed me into their home. It was not easy; I was often late for school due to the tasks I needed to complete at home. Nevertheless, I persevered and maintained my focus on my studies. Months after, tragedy struck again when my grandmother tragically passed away in a motor accident. She fell off from a tricycle, resulting in her sudden and devastating death. The pain and sorrow were devastating, yet I refused to let go of my educational pursuits. I continued forward, and it was during this period that the pandemic emerged. I returned home and adapted to the challenges of online learning. It was a difficult period, but I managed to overcome the obstacles that came my way.

During my fourth year in college, I embarked on a teaching internship at Panitan National High School. To support myself, I resumed selling cheese sticks and lumpia to my students, which contributed to my allowance. To my astonishment, God bestowed upon me a tremendous and life-changing opportunity by selecting me as a participant in the 9th batch of Southeast Asian (SEA) Teachers, granting me the chance to teach in Indonesia. I still find it remarkable that my financially unstable family could send me abroad for such an experience. During my time in Indonesia, I gained valuable knowledge and experienced personal growth that has shaped my character.

And now, with great pride, I can confidently declare that I have completed my college education. On May 6, 2023, I proudly graduated as a Cum laude. I was also able to reach my dreams because on May 25, 2024, I passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers, and now I work as a Foreign Teacher in Indonesia. It is a remarkable accomplishment that I once deemed impossible. I am grateful to God for guiding me throughout this journey, proving that nothing is beyond reach when faith and determination are present.

Finally, as I reflect on my achievements, I recognize that my success would not have been possible without the support of my family, the dedication of my teachers, and the assistance of programs like 4Ps. I am eternally grateful to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) for its invaluable support and for being a beacon of hope for families like mine. With the power of determination, resilience, and access to education, we can overcome any adversity and create a brighter future for ourselves and the generations to come.

In November 19, 2024, the Pagay household finally graduated from the program due to an improved level of well-being. (Submitted by Municipal Link, Anneliza B. Bendicio of Dao MOO, Capiz POO)