I am the eldest of seven siblings, and I learned to embrace responsibility at an early age. I come from a simple family. My father is a fisherman who also works part-time in one of the stores in our community, while my mother serves as a Barangay Nutrition Scholar. Growing up, we learned to be grateful for what we had and to trust God for our daily needs.
My desire to study at Central Philippine Adventist College began in the summer of 2019, when I was only 15. My mother allowed me to join a student literature evangelist program, where I met CPAC students and graduates. I was amazed by their voices when they sang, their energy, and especially the way they prayed. But what impacted me most were their testimonies—stories of students who worked while studying and graduated through God’s help.
I remember thinking, “I want to experience that journey too, and someday have my own testimony.”
My four years at CPAC were not easy. Because of my family’s financial situation, I worked while studying. I served as a secretary and helper to a teacher and also stayed with a faculty family, helping with household responsibilities in exchange for food and accommodation. Balancing academics, work, and responsibilities was challenging. There were days when I was physically and emotionally exhausted.
Yet, those sacrifices taught me responsibility, perseverance, time management, humility, gratitude, and faith. What once felt like struggles became some of the most meaningful lessons of my college journey.
Through student ministry, organizations, worship services, and service opportunities, I also learned that education is not simply about preparing for a profession—it is about preparing to serve others and glorify God.
There were moments when I wondered how I would finish my studies, but God continually reminded me that I was never walking alone. When I did not know where the next provision would come from, He made a way. Looking back, I can see that many of the sacrifices I once questioned became the very experiences that strengthened my faith.
As a Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Filipino, CPAC prepared me not only to become a teacher but also to become more patient, compassionate, responsible, humble, and faithful. I have learned that success is not measured only by grades, achievements, or the title we receive after graduation. Sometimes, success is simply having the courage to continue when giving up seems easier.
The 15-year-old girl who dreamed of experiencing the journey of CPAC students and graduates can now look back with gratitude. My journey was not easy, but it was meaningful. Every sacrifice became a lesson. Every challenge became an opportunity to grow. Every provision became a reminder of God’s faithfulness.
CPAC has been more than a place where I studied. It has become part of my journey with God and the story of who I am becoming.
And someday, when I stand in my own classroom, I hope I can say with confidence:
“God was faithful throughout the journey.”
To every student who is struggling today: keep going. Your difficult season may be preparing you for a purpose you cannot yet see. Trust God, remain faithful, and take one step at a time.
The journey may be filled with sacrifice, but in God’s hands, He can make every step worth it.