Many celebrate and send congratulations when someone passes the Bar Examination – from tarpaulins proudly displayed, social media posts filled with applause, and heartfelt messages. Yet behind every name that bears the title “Atty.” is a long journey marked by sacrifice, perseverance, and quiet struggles that few truly see.

Out of 11,420 Bar Examiners who took the 2025 Bar Examination, only 5,594 passed. Among them is Atty. Golda Meir V. Piñon, a former Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) monitored child under the DSWD Field Office 1 – Ilocos Region (DSWD FO 1).

When asked what she wanted to become someday, her answer never changed, “Gusto ko pong maging isang abogado.” Her dream was inspired by her mother’s former employers who are both lawyers, whom she often stayed with during summer vacations while her mother worked as a household helper. “Parehong abogado ang mag-asawang amo ng mama ko at kasa-kasama niya ako noon tuwing bakasyon sa eskwelahan. Inspirasyon ko man sila, parang suntok sa buwan na maging kagaya ko sila dahil mahirap lang kami,” she recalled.

Atty. Golda was only four years old when her mother became a solo parent. As the eldest among three siblings, she learned early on the hard facts about responsibility. Life was far from easy, but despite lacking many things, she held tightly to her education. Her hard work paid off when she graduated high school as Salutatorian. “Hindi ko sinukuan ang pag-aaral kasi alam kong iyon ang pinakasusi sa tagumpay na laging pinapaalala ng mama ko”, she shared.

After high school, another door opened for her. She became a scholar under the Commission on Higher Education’s Expanded Students’ Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA), a scholarship program intended for 4Ps household beneficiaries. This supported her pursuit to higher education and to continue chasing her long-held dream.

But for Atty. Golda, it was not merely the cash grants that made the difference. “Bilang isang solo parent ang mama ko, napakalaking tulong ng mga FDS [Family Development Sessions] sa aming pamilya,” she emphasized. Although her mother was the one who regularly attended the FDS, the lessons did not stop there. “Lahat ng natutunan ni mama patungkol sa financial literacy, tamang pagba-budget, disaster preparedness, pagpapahalaga sa education, at pamilya ay ibinabahagi niya sa amin,” she added.

Through the monthly FDS, her family learned how to manage their limited resources wisely, prepare for emergencies, and set clear priorities. The sessions also instilled discipline, accountability, and a deeper understanding of why education and responsible decision-making matter. “Napakaganda na may proper monitoring ang 4Ps. Hindi lang basta ayuda. May mga tanong, may gabay, at may direksyon. Sinisigurado nilang ang tulong ay nagagamit nang tama at nagbubunga,” Atty. Golda added.

Today, Atty. Golda Meir V. Piñon stands as proof that sustainable change does not come from financial assistance alone. More importantly, it comes from knowledge, values, and life skills, the very lessons instilled through the FDS. These learnings transformed a once “suntok sa buwan” dream into a living reality.

Her story is not just a celebration of passing the Bar Examination; it is a testament to how guided learning, strong family values, and perseverance can truly uplift lives and break the cycle of poverty. Atty. Golda’s journey reflects the very heart of the DSWD’s goal for the 4Ps – to go beyond temporary financial assistance and empower families through education, values formation, and life skills, so that children from poor households can eventually stand on their own and build a better future.#