In the rugged terrain of a mountain barangay in Danao City, Cebu, Merly and Joverlito Gonzales traveled the road of life amid the challenges of a humble life as farmers. Despite insufficient income and no protective gear, they persevered and worked hard for their children. Wounded hands and feet did not deter them from their daily tasks, from fetching water to manually cutting firewood.

The dream of providing their five (5) children with a better future seemed distant. Books, boarding house fees, and allowances for tertiary education remained a goal for the family. Yet, amid these hardships, Merly and Joverlito remained resolute in their values of kindness, responsibility, and hard work and instilled these virtues in their children.

The Gonzales children, inspired by their parents’ unwavering dedication, excelled academically, consistently rising to the top of their class. The opportunity and resilience unfold against a backdrop of hardship and determination.

Melgie Gonzales, the eldest daughter, stands as a beacon of hope and achievement, overcoming the barriers by becoming the first in the family to graduate from college. A full-scholarship package made her journey possible, covering tuition fees, boarding house expenses, and school allowances, a lifeline that opened doors to a brighter future.

While Melgie soared to academic heights, her younger siblings faced different paths shaped by financial constraints. The second and third children, unable to pursue tertiary education, were caught at a crossroads. Jiame Gonzales, the second child, embarked on a new chapter by getting married and starting a family life, while James, the third child, embraced the role of a production worker to support the family financially.

However, challenges loomed as James encountered a setback in his employment journey. With the end of his contract, he grappled with an unstable job market. Despite this hurdle, the Gonzales family remained united to weather the storm together, drawing strength from their shared values of perseverance.

As they stand at the crossroads of opportunity and adversity, the Gonzales family’s story is a testament to the transformative power of education, the unwavering support of a family, and the resilience to confront life’s challenges.

Melgie excelled in her primary and secondary education, receiving a high honor award during graduation. This academic honor provided her a full scholarship with the Charaplast Foundation, a non-government organization based in the USA, and she enrolled at the Cebu Normal University (CNU) for a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Graduating in 2018 with a Cum Laude award symbolized her commitment to excellence and passion for learning.

Driven by a relentless pursuit of her dreams, Melgie seized another opportunity to pursue a medicine course at the University of the Visayas (UV) with another scholarship from the Charaplast Foundation. Her perseverance and hard work paid off as she completed her medicine course in 2022, a significant milestone in her journey towards becoming a medical doctor.

Melgie’s efforts came to fruition when she successfully passed the Physicians Licensure Examination in April 2024, solidifying her dream of becoming a doctor. Her success exemplifies the belief that one’s potential should go beyond circumstances fueled by passion, dedication, and the courage to pursue one’s goals relentlessly.

“Taliwala sa among kalisod, wala kini nahimong babag sa pagpaningkamot sa among anak nga si Melgie sa pagkab-ot sa iyahang pangandoy nga mahimong usa ka doktora. Hinaot nga mahimo kining inspirasyon sa uban nga dili ang kapobrehon ang makababag sa tanang pangandoy sa mga kabatan-onan (Amidst our poor living condition, it did not hinder Melgie to pursue her dream to become a doctor. I hope her story inspires others that poverty is not a hindrance to all children’s dreams in life),” said Merly.

Presently, Melgie, a medical doctor, is still unemployed and seeking a job in a public hospital.

4Ps beneficiary

The Gonzales family belongs to Set 12 of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). The family has two (2) monitored children. Cruzel Earl is in Grade 10, and Skylar Gray is in Grade 1. The family becomes eligible to receive cash grants of 4Ps through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Merly expressed her gratitude towards the program because it provided augmentation support for her two children’s educational expenses.

“Dugay rakong nangandoy nga mahimong 4Ps beneficiary tungod sa among kalisod maong nalipay ko nga naapil nami aning programa karun. Makatabang kini aron makapadayun sila sa pageskwela sama sa ilang ate nga si Melgie (I long dreamed to become a 4Ps beneficiary because of our situation, and that makes me happy that we are already part of the program now. This will help in continuing our children’s education just like their elder sister Melgie),” said Merly.

Merly shared that she used the cash grants she received every payout to augment her children’s daily school allowance, school supplies, uniforms, and food.

She also shared that the program’s monthly Family Development (FDS) provided them with additional knowledge and learnings, specifically on financial literacy and managing their income and cash grants.

“Ang mahimong miyembro sa 4Ps kay naghatag og dakong pribileheyo sa tanang kabos nga pamilya ug dako ang among pagpasalamat sa Ginoo nga naapil nami karun. Ang programa kay dili usa ka ayuda kun dili usa ka abag lamang sa mga pamilya aron matagaan oportunidad nga makalahutay sa pageskwela ang mga bata ug maayo ang ilang panglawas (To become a 4Ps is a big privilege to all poor families, and I am thankful to God that we are included in the program now. The program is not a dole-out, but it is a social safety net to families so that they will have the opportunity to pursue their children’s education and they are healthy),” underscored Merly.

Merly added, “Isip inahan, proud ako nga ginikanan sa akong anak nga nahimong doktora na karun ug kung makakita na siya og trabaho, makatabang siya puhon sa pagpaeskwela sa iyang mga igsuon nga gihimo pud siya nga usa nga inspirasyon (As a mother, I am proud parent to my daughter, who is now a doctor, and if she already has a job, she can help her younger siblings’ education, and they look up to her as an inspiration).” ###

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