“Malaking tulong ang programa sa aming pamilya dahil ang natatangap naming cash grants ay nakatutulong upang matustusan o madagdagan ang pambayad sa eskwelahan at sa panggastos araw-araw na pamumuhay namin (4Ps is a great help to our family because the cash grants we receive help us augment our daily expenses and offset our school fees),” Engr. Jericho C. Cancino claimed.
At the age of 23, Jericho, a former 4Ps beneficiary of the DSWD Field Office 1 from Brgy. Lilimasan, San Carlos City, Pangasinan is already an Electrical Engineer and a Master Electrician.
“Hirap po talaga kami sa buhay. Si papa ay isang traysikel drayber at ang mama ko ay gumagawa ng kaing para sa pangangailangan namin. Naging malaking kaginhawaan noong kami ay napabilang sa 4Ps. (We really have a challenging life. My father is a tricycle driver while my mother makes woven basket to provide for the needs of our family. It was a huge relief when we became 4Ps beneficiary),” Engr. Jericho narrated.
Jericho earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering at the Virgin Milagrosa University Foundation in San Carlos City. By being a scholar of the Commission on Higher Education from 2016 to 2020, his financial burden to continuously support his studies was lessened.
Tried and Tested
“Ang pinakamahirap na parte ng paglalakbay ko tungo sa tagumpay ay noong nagpositive ako sa COVID-19 noong nagrereview ako para sa board exam kasama na ang pagiging panganay sa apat na magkakapatid. Hindi na ako nakadalo ng review classes ko dahil nasabihan akong manatili sa quarantine facility sa Baguio City sa loob ng dalawang linggo (The most challenging part of my journey to success is when I tested positive with COVID-19 while reviewing for my board exam plus the pressure of being the eldest of my four siblings. I was not able to attend my review classes because I was advised to stay at the quarantine facility in Baguio City for two weeks),” Engr. Jericho shared.
During this trying time, Engr. Jericho was battling his fears over his dreams for his family. “Dumating ako sa puntong halos sumuko na ako pero inisip ko ang aking pamilya kasi lagi silang nandiyan para sumuporta sa akin. Sa kanila ako humugot ng lakas ng loob. Ipinalangin ko ring sana ay gumaling na ako at makauwi muna ng probinsiya para makapag review online. Napaka thankful ko rin sa review center at binigyan ako ng make up class online para makabalik sa pagrereview. (I was at the verge of giving up but I thought of my family who has always been there to support me. They became my source of strength. I also prayed to get well so I can go home and attend online review. I am so thankful that the review center granted me online make up classes),” Jericho tearfully detailed his hardships during his stay at the quarantine facility.
Jericho enjoyed the perks of being the President of the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines, Inc. as he was given discount in the review cost. It was a meager amount but this brought him to a huge opportunity.
This is it!
“The best feeling ever noong nakita ko ang pangalan kong nasa listahan ng pumasa. (The best feeling ever was when I saw my name in the list of passers),” Jericho joyfully shared when the result of the 2021 Electrical Engineering Board Examination was released.
“Simula noong pagkabata ko nakita ko ang aming sitwasyon sa buhay na hirap pero patuloy na lumalaban. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, balang araw masusuklian ko rin lahat ng sakripisyo ng aking magulang at aayon din sa amin ang panahon. Inspirasyon ko ang aking pamilya sa aking pag-aaral at pagiging Registered Electrical Engineer at Master Electrician. Ang lahat ng aking sakripisyo ay para sa kanila (Since childhood, I witnessed how poor we were but still continued to strive more for a better life. I told myself, someday all the sacrifices of my parents will pay off and improve our living condition. My family serves as my source of my inspiration in pursuing my studies and becoming a Registered Electrical Engineer and Master Electrician. All my sacrifices are for them),” he added.
Secret Revealed
“Sa buhay, hindi magiging madali lahat pero ilaban mo lang ang iyong pangarap at ipagdasal mo lang lagi. Anos labat tan dasal ang formula sa matagumpay na buhay (In life, things will not be easy but you need to fight for your dreams and always include it in your prayers. Patience and prayers are the formula to a successful life),” Engr. Jericho humbly preached.
After he passed the board exam, Engr. Jericho was employed as project-based Site Engineer in a solar project in Pampanga in November 2022.
“Malaking tulong po ang 4Ps para sa katulad kong may pangarap para sa pamilya. Sa pamamagitan ng programang ito, maraming mga pamilya ang matutulungang umangat at magtagumpay sa buhay (4Ps is a great help especially for a beneficiary like me who has a huge dream for the family. Through this program, many families will have opportunities for a better living and become successful in life),” Engr. Jericho uttered. (by: Jaesem Ryan A. Gaces / Pantawid Pamilya Information Officer)
