4Ps Parent Leader graduates Cum Laude after 20 years out of school

Testimony by: Anabelle O. Ambong
4Ps beneficiary

PANDAN, Antique – We live a simple life in Barangay Cabugao here. My husband works as a construction worker. His income is not enough to support our family, especially because we have four children: John Al David Olarte, 22; John Karl, 18; Fran Kessler,12; and Fran Cedric, eight.

It has always been hard to send all of my children to school, especially since my husband is the only one working. There were days when we didn’t even have enough food to eat. School expenses made our situation even harder. With the high cost of goods, every day felt like a financial struggle. I also had to pay weekly dues from a microfinance loan, which added more pressure especially when my husband didn’t have work.

In 2022, I made a hard but life-changing decision. I returned to school after almost 20 years of being away from education. I became a wife at 18, so I never thought I would study again. But something inside me told me to try.

I asked my older brother if he could help pay for my tuition so I could focus on finding ways to cover my allowance and other school needs. I enrolled at Pandan Bay Institute, Inc. – College Department and took up a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT), even though I had no background in computers.

During my first year in college, all my children were also in school. My eldest was in Grade 12, the second in Grade 9, the third in Grade 3, and the youngest in Daycare. It was really hard to balance my studies and my responsibilities as a mother and wife. Sometimes we had no food, no allowance, and no money for school supplies. Out of desperation, I had to swallow my pride and ask for help from my siblings.

But despite everything, we remained a happy family. We supported one another. When someone needed help with harvesting rice, my children and I would help in the fields. My children were always willing to assist their father in any way they could.
In 2023, something wonderful happened. Our household was included in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). I cried tears of joy and said, “Thank You, Lord!” because this was a big help to our family especially now that I was already in my second year of college.

But just as I was figuring out how to manage everything, my eldest son told me something that broke my heart. He said, “Mama, I won’t go to college for now. I want you to finish first. I’ll help Papa, so you won’t have to worry too much.”
I cried. He gave up his own dream so I could continue mine. With my brother’s help, he found a job in Manila as a car washer at a Honda company. He started working at a young age, showing great love and maturity.

That same year, I also became a 4Ps Parent Leader in our barangay. While studying, I still did my duties as a mother, wife, and community leader. It wasn’t easy. I missed some classes because of 4Ps meetings, but I tried my best to do both. I always attended the Family Development Sessions (FDS) and submitted everything our Municipal Link (ML) needed.

I gave my all as a mother, student, and 4Ps leader. One day, our ML told us that we needed to start a communal garden. That’s when my husband and I became more resourceful. Even with little money, we found ways to make it work. We turned this challenge into a learning and bonding moment for our family.

Through all the sacrifices, sleepless nights, and every peso we earned, we never lost our faith. We held on to each other, to God, and to the belief that life would improve if we didn’t give up.
From our communal garden, I learned how to grow and sell vegetables like papaya, string beans, Malabar spinach (alugbati), spinach, kangkong, okra, eggplant, and green chili. I sold these in our barangay and even in school. Many of my buyers were my classmates and teachers. Before going to class, I would sell vegetables so I could have allowance for my children and fare for myself. Slowly, I overcame my shyness and became more confident because I knew that every effort I made helped us survive.

The 4Ps cash grants helped our family a lot. Around the same time, my husband got more consistent work as a tile setter. Truly, God has been so good to us. I also learned how to be practical with the help we received. While the grants were mostly for education, I also used a part of it to fix our broken house. We used to live in a house with a leaking roof and a bathroom with no proper door. When it rained, water would come inside. But with my husband’s stable jobs and the help from 4Ps, we were able to pay off all our loans, support our children’s school needs, and even start rebuilding our home.

Honestly, it felt like a miracle while I was studying. Despite all the problems, we never failed to go to Sunday Mass. My husband and I made it a routine to go to church and thank God for all His blessings.
Every time I received my cash grant, I used it for my children’s school supplies, uniforms, and other needs. I will always be thankful to DSWD and 4Ps for the opportunity and help they gave to our family. It was more than just financial help. It was hope, dignity, and strength in the form of a program.

Then came 2025, the most unforgettable year of our lives. We didn’t just survive—we succeeded. This year, I finally graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, and the most amazing part I graduated Cum Laude. A dream I thought would never come true, especially as a mother of four and a 4Ps Parent Leader.

What made it more special? I graduated alongside my children. My second son finished Grade 12, and my third child graduated from Grade 6, all in the same year. Three graduates in one family. A true story of faith, love, hard work, and God’s grace.
Now, I want to share this message with every parent, every working mom, and every 4Ps family:
You can do it too. Poverty is not the end. Being a mother is not a limitation. Education is for everyone, no matter your age. If I, once a shy mother, vegetable vendor, 4Ps parent leader, and struggling student, can proudly wear a medal and a toga.

Then so can you. This is not just my success, it is our success.Thank you, DSWD! Thank you, 4Ps! Thank you, Lord! (Written by: John T. Abellon – ML- Pandan, Antique POO) Revised and edited by: Anmer Jules T. Paulan – Intern from The University of San Agustin
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