Inspiring
Former Maid Goes Viral after Graduating from the PMA, Joining the Navy
A former made goes viral for graduating from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and for joining the navy. Isn’t she inspiring?
Miss Universe Vietnam 2018 H’Hen Niê went viral after people learned that before she became a beauty queen, she had been a housemaid to support her education. But H’Hen is not the only one who had the same background.
Photo credit: Meriam Libongcogon / Pinoy News Blog
Meriam Libongcogon became an inspiration to many people after she graduated from the PMA, known to be the school of the elite officers in the country’s uniformed force. Not everyone can pass the rigid training at the PMA as this is not just a place for physical training but also has a high standard when it comes to intelligence.
Photo credit: Meriam Libongcogon / Pinoy News Blog
The second of the seven children of Florida and Mario Libongcogon, Meriam lived a difficult life in Bambalan, Cebu as her family is just poor. Her father is a farmer and a carpenter while her mother stays at home to care for the family.
Photo credit: Meriam Libongcogon / Pinoy News Blog
Knowing that the family’s income is not enough to support the family, Meriam actually began helping the family when she was just 6 years old, doing small chores to earn some coins.
At age 9, she would collect coconut shells, wood, and sand to sell to construction workers, earning Php20 a week. It was just a small amount off money but already a great help for the family. Amazingly, she still graduated as valedictorian despite the hard work she had to do.
Photo credit: Meriam Libongcogon / Pinoy News Blog
This earned her a scholarship at a Catholic school in Cebu City where she finished her high school education. But without a scholarship in college, she had to work as housemaid to send herself to school, taking up computer engineering.
But juggling her studies with doing a lot of housework and taking care of her employer’s children was too difficult as this took a toil on her health. So, she had to quit.
Photo credit: Meriam Libongcogon / Pinoy News Blog
Then, after 3 years of being a housemaid in Cebu, she found a job in Baguio City. It was her new employer, Nanay Rose, who would encourage her to join the PMA.
It was difficult but she never thought about quitting.
Photo credit: Meriam Libongcogon / Pinoy News Blog
“Hindi ko naisipang mag-resign kasi sanay na po [ako] sa hirap. At saka lagi po akong nagdarasal sa Panginoon na tulungan niya po ako,” Meriam told ABS-CBN News.
Today, Meriam is now an officer of the Philippine Navy – a far cry from her being a housemaid…
Photo credit: Meriam Libongcogon / Pinoy News Blog
Her story would inspire a lot of people to strive for their dreams despite the difficult situations they are in.
Inspiring
SHS Student Brings Photos of Late Parents on Graduation Day
A senior high school (SHS) student brought framed photos of her late parents on her graduation day, touching many hearts and making netizens cry.
Her story has gone viral, with many netizens cheering her on and praying for her success in life…
SHS Student Brings Photos of Late Parents on Graduation Day
Graduation day is one of the best days in a student’s life, but it’s not always the happiest for all.
Some also experience a bittersweet moment because their loved ones aren’t with them. While many are due to having OFW parents who can’t be home for the special, others are because the parents have already passed on.
SHS student Juvelyn Dela Torre Eugenio, 18, of North Cotabato made netizens cry after she carried her parents’ framed photos as she marched and posed on stage to receive her diploma.
She explained that during recognition days and other special events when she was younger, it was always her mother who would accompany her on stage.
She wants to share her success and milestones with her parents, but they’re no longer around.
They lost their father to heart failure in July 2020.
In 2022, the siblings decided to let their mother enjoy a vacation with her older children in Manila, only to discover that she was sick and already in the terminal stages of a stage 4 battle with the Big C. They lost her shortly thereafter.
Juvelyn shared that losing their parents took a toll on her mental health, especially because she had to stand as a parent to her younger brother.
On graduation day, she vowed that she wouldn’t cry despite seeing all the other students with their parents.
But she broke down on stage when a concerned teacher asked her about her parents and offered words of consolation after she showed her their photos.
Despite the challenges, Juvelyn plans on continuing her journey as she dreams of becoming a lawyer someday.
How to Become a Lawyer in the Philippines
- Complete a 4-year Bachelor’s Degree in Arts or Sciences.
- Pass the PhiLSAT (Philippine Law School Admission Test)
- Complete law school.
- Complete the law internship.
- Pass the bar exams.
Did you know that lawyers in PAO (Public Attorney’s Office) with an entry-level position (Public Attorney I) earn a basic salary of Php95,000 (salary grade 25)?
Inspiring
Elementary Students Praised for Playing “One Day” Using Ukuleles
Elementary students at a school in Mindanao earned praise online after playing “One Day” using their ukuleles for a presentation.
Many netizens were impressed about their skills, with some commenting that it’s a difficult piece to play on a ukulele, yet most of them nailed it! Wow.
Elementary Students Play “One Day” Using Their Ukuleles
A lot of people these days have this mistaken notion that kids are only fond of using cellphones and no longer enjoy playing with traditional toys or learning how to use a traditional musical instrument – because you can find lots of options for those online or with their phones.
But a group of students from Dipolog Pilot Demonstration School impressed netizens with their skills in playing the ukulele as they presented “One Day” for the school’s 100-year celebration.
Seated on the steps of their school, the kids played the musical instruments seamlessly, except for a few issues.
And while some netizens pointed out that one of the kids appear to be struggling with the proper chords and kept shifting around during the entire performance, the overall presentation is still quite impressive!
Many netizens even commented on the post of the Facebook page “Kung Taga-Oroquieta City Ka” that they were deeply touched by the kids’ presentation and were crying while watching. Awww.
A lot also praised the coaches who made this possible – and others felt proud of the children even if they had no idea who these little ones are.
It’s also quite impressive to see that the class had so many ukuleles. It is unknown whether the kids own the musical instruments or if the school provided them, but what’s clear is that their presentation is truly admirable.
What’s a Ukulele?
A ukulele is a type of string musical instrument that’s smaller than a guitar. It usually has nylon strings as opposed to the metal used in standard guitars.
The instrument also has four strings but isn’t considered a “kid’s instrument” only. Instead, it can be played by kids and adults alike.
Inspiring
Proud Vendor Dad Offers Free Taho after Daughter Passes Board Exams for Teachers
One proud vendor dad offered free taho for everyone when his daughter passed the LET (Licensure Examination for Teachers).
Netizens were even more impressed to learn that the young lady passed after doing a self-review.
Truly amazing, right?
Vendor Offers Free Taho after Daughter Passes Teacher’s Board
Passing the board exams is truly a milestone that everyone can be proud of – and most of the time, the parents are their children’s proudest cheerleaders!
Of course, spouses and kids also feel the same thing. For example, a taxi driver offered free rides after his wife passed the LET.
The proud parents of a student who passed that same LET are also offering free taho to their customers.
Bobby and Rose Torallo happily got a tarpaulin up to celebrate the success of their daughter, Rosebel Cielo Torallo. The young woman had graduated cum laude from Baao Community College in Baao, Camarines Sur.
Apparently, based on her mom’s post on Facebook, she had also self-reviewed for the licensure exams – and this made her success even sweeter for the family.
In the post of her mom, Rose, it showed that the family’s main source of income is from selling taho. It was through this that the parents were able to send their kids to school.
Rose lamented that there were times when people looked down on their because they are “just” taho vendors.
Thankfully, the family didn’t mind what these people are saying. Instead, they persevered and put their faith in God.
She thanked all her kids for cooperating and striving hard to succeed in their studies even if their parents are only supporting them by selling taho.
How to Celebrate Passing the Board Exams
There are many ways to celebrate passing the board the exams. Some of these are:
- Throwing a party
- Buying cake
- Going on a trip
- Treating your family, friends, or even strangers to something (such as a free rides from taxi drivers or free taho from vendors)