Testimony of Nicole Anne S. Dolom, LPT

Cum Laude

4Ps Beneficiary

MINA, ILOILO – I am Nicole Anne S. Dolom, residing in the town of Mina, a place where the community is filled with kindness and love, where days are painted with the soft hues of simplicity, and nights are cradled by the whisper of the wind. My journey has been anything but ordinary.

Reflecting on my early years, I recall the happiness and love I received from my family. I could not have achieved what I have now without their support. I remember our time in Ligao, Bicol, Albay (my father’s place) where we had our own house and where I cherished my childhood memories. I have an older brother and a younger sister, and our family felt complete. Back then, we found joy in playing with whatever we could find around us. It was important to us to have fun. I also remember helping my father harvest coconuts to buy school supplies as the school year approached.

During my free time, I would enjoy eating fresh coconut and playing. There were times when, at noon, I was the best at sneaking out from my mother while I used to beg to play with my other siblings. (This makes me smile as I write this story.)

My love for learning began in kindergarten. I was captivated by the world of education, with each day bringing new adventures, knowledge, and skills. My mother always accompanied us to school and picked us up afterward, and I am deeply grateful to her for this routine, as well as to my father for providing for us financially. I graduated kindergarten as First Honor and received numerous awards, such as Best in Reading, Best in Writing, Best in Math, and more.

My passion for learning continued into elementary school. I made many friends, met various classmates and teachers, and despite the long distance to school, we never considered quitting. We walked almost 5 kilometers to school. It was even more challenging during heavy rain, and low pressure since our path was along the coast, and we sometimes had to wade through the waves. Sometimes we would arrive at school with wet uniforms, and our technique was to sit near the window to dry out quickly. I recall my allowance was only Php3.00 pesos. My mother prepared our lunch, but sometimes we did not have anything to eat. We were fortunate when the school provided feeding programs, offering free rice. On days when we had no food, a small amount of money could get us through. We would buy a sachet of soy sauce for Php1.00 peso, which was enough.

I will never forget my teachers, especially Ma’am Tess, Ma’am Lou, and Ma’am Guia. They played a crucial role in nurturing my love for learning. Their enthusiasm and encouragement made every lesson exciting and every challenge manageable. They saw potential in me and pushed me to do my best, instilling a drive for excellence that guided me throughout my academic journey. Their belief in my abilities fueled my determination to achieve more. I remember participating in contests like the Read-a-Thon, Salute to the Learning Star, MTAP, and Quiz Bee. We would wake up early at 3 a.m. to meet up at school by 5 a.m. since we lived in a coastal area. With my father working in Manila, my mother could not always accompany us, but my cousin May Bebe was always available to help. Thanks to Ate Alile for letting my younger sister stay with her when Mama was not around. Through dedication and perseverance, I earned numerous medals, ribbons, and certificates and was a consistent honor student.

While my elementary years were filled with joy and discovery, they were not without challenges. At the age of 13, my life changed dramatically when my father passed away on February 11, 2013. This devastating event tested my resilience in ways I never imagined. The grief was profound, and adjusting to life without my father’s guidance was a struggle. I graduated as Valedictorian of the Class of 2013, and I cried a lot while delivering my valedictory address. My brother and mother were also overwhelmed with sadness and pain.

After graduation, everything changed. The once diligent and motivated Nicole became unmotivated and weak. During this time, Mama decided to move back to her hometown in Iloilo. On the day of our journey, at 3:00 in the morning, our boat capsized unexpectedly. Fortunately, we were only half a kilometer from shore. My uncle who was with us shouted for help. We floated in the sea for about 20 minutes until some fishermen came to our rescue. We were lucky and blessed that despite falling into the sea and getting everything soaked, we survived. I thanked God for keeping us alive. Some of our relatives believed that Papa might have prevented us from returning to Iloilo.

The next day, we visited Papa’s grave to ask for his permission and guidance. Despite the trauma, I learned valuable lessons during this difficult period. We stayed in Iloilo since I was in Grade 7, and adapting to the new environment was challenging. It was different from Bicol—a new place, new friends, and a new beginning. Initially, it was hard to communicate because I did not know how to speak my mother tongue language “kinara-a,” so I had to use Tagalog to communicate. The same difficulties continued into high school, but I made many happy memories with classmates and friends. There were problems and challenges, as every student faces, but I am grateful to those who supported my education, such as Sir Pecina for the 2-year scholarship (Grade 7-8) and Ma’am Rhea Calibara (Big Heart Scholar). This support helped reduce Mama’s expenses.

In Senior High School, I faced the challenges of Thesis, Work Immersion, Portfolios, and other curricular activities. Despite all the obstacles, my passion for learning remained evident, and I consistently earned honors. I graduated with High Honors in the TVL Track, as Best Research Presenter, and Best in Science. My dedication and hard work are reflected in my achievements from kindergarten to high school. Each accomplishment was not only a testament to my intellect but also a tribute to the values instilled in me by my family and community.

Driven by the desire to honor my father’s memory and to make a difference, I pursued higher education with unwavering commitment. I enrolled at West Visayas State University-Pototan Campus in the Bachelor of Technical Vocational Teacher Education program. I knew that college would be more challenging than high school. Because I am a 4Ps beneficiary, I was fortunate to be a Tertiary Education System (TES) grantee, which helped cover my financial needs for college. The TES Program was invaluable, allowing me to buy a cellphone, laptop, and other school supplies, and eased the burden on Mama which is why I am very thankful for the 4Ps.

In my first year of college, the pandemic struck, affecting many families, including mine. To support myself financially, I decided to apply for a job at a growing business in Mina. This marked the beginning of my journey as a working student. I worked there for almost a year, despite the low wages and the tough conditions. I endured physical pain and illness to cover my expenses, even though we were doing modular learning and had to frequently visit the school for printed modules. I did not have to ask Mama for an allowance.

In my second year, I started tutoring privately. I earned 500 pesos per day for tutoring two children, especially in helping them with their modules. Despite the irregular payment, the income was insufficient. Therefore, I decided to enter the BPO sector (locally known as Call Center). Working as a Customer Service Representative for over a year provided the financial support I needed for school and daily life. I was able to buy essential items and support household expenses, including my projects and school expenses. Even in my third year, I continued working as a Call Center Agent while managing my duties as an On-the-Job Trainee. I was fortunate to have understanding staff at Diversion 21 Hotel, who supported me despite my difficult situation. After a few months of OJT, I decided to quit my job to focus on my practice teaching. Fortunately, my final pay from my previous job supported my thesis and school expenses.

My academic journey culminated in graduating Cum Laude. Although I initially aimed just to graduate on time, receiving the Cum Laude honor was an extra blessing. My story did not end with graduation. I faced the challenge of the licensure exam for teachers. Some wondered why I did not take it last September. I explained that I needed time to prepare thoroughly. I trusted the process. Before the licensure exam, I pursued Organic Agriculture Production NC II in Dingle. I was able to afford this course through a school’s offer, with payment covered by TESDA’s daily allowance. During my thesis, a schoolmate paid me for help, which helped with my allowance.

As the board exam approached, I enrolled in a review center with a 50% discount, reducing the fee to 5,000 pesos. I asked Mama if she could help with this amount, but financial constraints made it difficult. I reached out to a cousin, a public teacher in Cavite, who kindly covered the review fee. I experienced sleepless nights, exhaustion, and hunger, but I persevered. I remember not having lunch during my review sessions and being too shy to ask Mama for money. Fortunately, I met Sir Jesnar, who played a crucial role in my success, and I passed several NCs. While reviewing, I enrolled in Trainers Methodology Level 1, balancing both review and training. Before the board exam, on March 3, I passed Trainers Methodology Level 1 (Trainer/Assessor).

On March 17, 2024, I took the LET at PHINMA-UI. I spent months anxiously worrying about whether I would pass, given the difficulty of our major. On May 24, 2024, when the Professional Regulations Commission released the results of the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET), I was trembling as I scrolled down to find my name. I cried when I saw it. I was at the office when I saw the result, and my colleagues were even more excited than I was. I am deeply grateful to God for everything, for all the struggles and joys I have experienced. Despite the challenges, I succeeded.

Looking back, every experience, challenge, and triumph contributed to this moment. My journey from a curious child to a successful board passer and soon-to-be Master’s Degree Holder is a story of perseverance, support, and unwavering dedication. It serves as a reminder that with hard work and determination, any dream is achievable.

My life is a poignant reminder that strength often blooms in the face of adversity and that the support of loved ones can light the way through even the darkest of times. (Submitted by Mina MOO, IGPOO)