“Poverty is not a hindrance to success”, this is a well-known proverb that every Filipinos can truly relate. Poverty is nothing if everybody has a sense of hard work and determination towards success.
Just like Erwin Valmoria Macua, a 38 year old Security Guard by night and a full time student by day at St. Theresa’s College in Cebu. He graduated as a Cum Laude in a degree of Bachelor in Elementary Education and as a matter of fact few hours before his graduation he was still on his duty as a night shift guard. He is one of the many Filipino’s who proves that despite of financial difficulties and age discrimination, it is not too late to pursue the dreams you always wanted to achieve.
Erween Macua is from Cebu and a father of three. According to the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s Cebu Daily News, Macua serves the school for seventeen years. He has been consistent Dean’s Lister since his first year in college way back 2013 despite of his working shift of from 7:00PM to 7:00 AM and keep a full load attending classes from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
His salary at the school has not been only helping his studies but as well as his family. His 17 year old eldest son is a Cebu City scholar, taking up Bachelor of Science in Accountancy at the University of Cebu. While his second child is a Grade 10 student at Ramon Duterte Memorial National High School and his youngest daughter is only ten months old. His wife manages a sari-sari store at their home in Kalunasan, Cebu City also to support the family’s finances.
Sometimes he could not go home to be with his family just to finish his school works and projects. He always tried his best to get things done in order to be with his family during his rest day and Sunday.
Having a strong support system and understanding from his family especially his wife, he manages to balance his work and school duties and also his classmates gives him the helping hands to get through his studies.
After 4 years of hard work and struggling, the most awaited day had come with flying colors for Erwin Macau. All of it had paid off. His journey towards achieving his goals in life is very admirable and serves as a good example to everyone who wants to continue attaining education. It is the best gift ever when you work hard for it.
His story is a living testimony to many people that there is nothing impossible in this vast world. Let us treat every hindrances and obstacle as a challenge and make it as a strength to overcome it.
As what the great Nelson Mandela once said “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the World.” A weapon that no one can ever take it from you and forever remains to be your greatest achievement in life. It is never too late to start again and push through your dreams. It is not about the age and finances, it’s all about the mindset, determination and dedication towards achieving it.
Photo credit : Manila Bulletin