Holding a title is akin to wearing a crown on your head, one’s ultimate proof of victory. Indeed, a mark of honor and glory.
Marvin Perez, a former 4Ps beneficiary from Santo Tomas, La Union earned a crown as he bagged the title for being the Top 7 in the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) in March 2023. His struggles and difficulties during his academic life added shine on his crown.
Teacher Marvin was a scholar of the Department of Science and Technology and graduated Cum Laude at Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University Mid – La Union Campus major in Science in 2021. To him, it was a roller coaster ride. Being a die-hard pageant fan, he likened his journey of becoming a Licensed Professional Teacher to the Miss Universe pageant.
“Hindi man nakapasok ang Philippines sa Top 16 sa Miss Universe 2022, naiuwi ko naman ang korona bilang Top 7 sa March 2023 Licensure Examination for Teachers Secondary Level (Though Philippines did not make it to Top 16 in the Miss Universe 2022, I brought home the Top 7 crown in the March 2023 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers Secondary Level),” Teacher Marvin shared with mixed emotions as he rejoiced his win but with some disappointment as a supporter of the Philippines’ candidate for the Miss Universe 2022.
As an avid supporter, Teacher Marvin requested to be excused from the LET Review just to witness the Miss Universe 2022 Coronation Day. Unexpectedly, his Miss Universe-inspired excuse letter captured the hearts of the netizens and went viral. Even more surprising he was not only excused but was granted a scholarship for standing up for his passion.
His life story provides an insight on how he earned his wits, guts, and success. “Hindi po ako lumaki sa puder ng aking mga magulang. Isang taong gulang pa lang ako noong ako ay inaruga ng kapatid ng mama ko dahil sa hirap ng buhay. Kulang na kulang ang kinikita ng aking tunay na ama sa pangingisda habang wala namang trabaho ang tunay kong ina. Aaminin ko na masama ang loob ko sa mga magulang ko noon. Napakarami kong tanong at pagdududa pero napagtanto kong kagustuhan ito ng Panginoon upang gabayan ako sa nararapat na daang aking tatahakin. Salamat kay Mama Lety at sa kaniyang pamilya dahil kung hindi dahil sa kanila, wala ako sa aking kinaroroonan ngayon (I did not grow up with my parents. I was only one year old when my mother’s sibling took responsibility of rearing me because of poverty. My biological father’s income in fishing was not enough while my biological mother was unemployed. I admit that I felt bad with my parents before. I had many questions and doubts but I came to realize that it is God’s will to guide me to the right path I should take. Thanks to Mama Lety and her family, because of them I will not be where I am now),” Teacher Marvin narrated.
“Masakit pero ito ang pinanghugutan ko ng lakas para magpatuloy. Nag-aral ako nang mabuti at sinabi ko sa aking sarili na kahit dito man lang ay maibalik ko ang mga sakripisyo ng mga taong nagpapaaral at sumusuporta sa akin (It hurts but this is where I drew strength to keep on going. I studied well and I told myself that in this way I can pay back the sacrifices of those who supported my studies),” he added.
Teacher Marvin testified that his family felt so blessed when they became 4Ps beneficiary in 2012. According to him, “Lubos ang aming pasasalamat dahil naging magaan ang aming buhay. Malaking tulong ang 4Ps sa mga pangangailangan ko sa pag-aaral noon. Nagtapos ako na Top 7 sa elementarya at Salutatorian sa senior high school (We are beyond grateful because our life got better. 4Ps was a big help for our school needs. I graduated Top 7 in elementary and Salutatorian in senior high school). The Perez household exited from 4Ps in 2021 due to no qualified beneficiary.
With all these, he shared his encouragement for the youth, saying “To all the dreamers out there, always believe in the beauty of your dreams because when you put your mind and heart into it, nothing is impossible!” (by: Jaesem Ryan A. Gaces, Information Officer)
