“Balancing work, studies, and motherhood is not easy, but every late night, every early morning, and every small win matters.”

Grace Ann was a third-year college student and a working student when she became pregnant.

Grace Ann, the eldest of the Alfante siblings from Barangay Cantao-an, City of Naga, Cebu, grew up witnessing her parents’ struggles to provide for their basic needs.

Her parents’ steady love and hard work inspired her from a young age. Watching them work every day to support the family showed her that education was not only for herself but also a way to help her whole family rise above poverty.

Her father, Panfilo Basmayor Alfante, worked as a steelworker, mason, and carpenter to support the family. Even though he earned only minimum wage, he never complained and sometimes found extra work in other places.

Panfilo’s hands show the hard work he does, but he is gentle with his family. When he is home, he tends a small garden where he grows vegetables and fruits to help feed everyone. His efforts give his children hope for a better future.

Her mother, Irene Secuya Alfante, used to work as a utility staff at their barangay school, earning ₱2,000 a month—a small income that was already a lifeline for the family.

In March 2022, the Alfante family became a Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiary under set 11A.

Early Obstacles

During Grace’s elementary years, she was already entrusted by her adviser to serve as a “little teacher”—a role that involved helping her classmates, organizing classroom tasks, and assisting with paperwork. This early responsibility helped hone her leadership skills. Subsequently, she graduated as class valedictorian in elementary school, reaping the rewards of her labors to succeed in her academic endeavors.

During her secondary, Grace Ann took on a sideline job as a babysitter to augment their income. Though the income was meager, it contributed to her family’s income, benefiting her other siblings with their daily allowances.

Despite the struggles in balancing personal, family, and school activities, she earned high honors throughout junior and senior high school. This continued her academic streak as a consistent Dean’s Lister in college.

In 2025, she graduated with distinction as Cum Laude with a degree in Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED) at Cebu Technological University (CTU), Naga Campus. As a scholar under the City of Naga’s scholarship program, Grace Ann received ₱20,000 annually, a vital support to sustain her educational journey.

Her academic journey was challenging; she had to balance her studies and work simultaneously to support her education.

As early as her first year of college, she worked night shifts as a call center agent in various Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies such as Qualfon Inc. and Teleperformance, both located in IT Park, Cebu City, working from 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM.

Without rest, she would head straight to class from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, mastering the art of time management with lectures, work tasks, and moments of stolen sleep.

She was a third-year college student when she became pregnant. She faced this new challenge head-on with a bright perspective and an unshaken will, and she would soon take on another role of being a mother. Though she had to temporarily leave her job in the BPO.

Bouncing Back

After giving birth, she returned to work as a private tutor in Cebu City to earn extra income.

Drawing from her life journey, she recognized her experiences could inspire youths facing similar struggles. She became an active member of NAHYDA under the Population Commission’s local program.

She became a powerful advocate for change, leading sessions on mental health, sex education, behavioral training, and leadership. With every seminar, she exemplified strength, discipline, and positive transformation, inspiring others through her unwavering commitment.

As public information officer, Grace Ann used her platform to reach out, encourage, and empower others, especially young people who feel lost or alone.

After facing her own emotional struggles, she now believes that suicide is never the answer. She believes that every problem has its own unique path to healing, and this conviction motivates her to support and empower young people in overcoming their challenges.

Another challenge soon tested their family.

Walking a tightrope

In 2023, her mother, Irene, faced a life-threatening illness that required surgery, forcing her to leave her job. But by February 2024, she was back on her feet again, running a small sari-sari store and earning ₱400 a day.

Despite her frail health, Irene has never lost sight of her dream—to see all her children finish school and become professionals.

Irene never missed a Family Development Session (FDS) and consistently complied with all the conditions of the 4Ps.

For Grace Ann, the FDS is more than just a compliance. It has become a habit of active citizenship. Their mother’s presence in school activities and barangay functions taught Grace Ann that social programs only truly work when families engage sincerely. Through 4Ps, Grace Ann learned the value of accountability and the impact of community-based development.

The family is currently active, with Level 2 or subsistence status based on the latest Social Welfare and Development Indicator (SWDI) assessment conducted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Gaining Stability

Grace Ann Secuya, now 23 years old, works as a customer service representative at Accenture Inc. She lives with her daughter, Zaya Grazel, and her supportive partner, John Clifford Bacus.

Her siblings, namely Kimberly Cabiles Secuya, the second child, is now a fourth-year Bachelor of Secondary Education student, a consistent Dean’s Lister, and also a scholar under the LGU Naga scholarship program.

Jonjie Secuya Alfante is currently a second-year college student pursuing a degree in Secondary Education, majoring in TLE, and is also a consistent Dean’s Lister.

Her other siblings, Darlene Faye and Mary Kris, are the two monitored children under the program.

Darlene Faye, a Grade 12 ABM student, balances her academics with school involvement as a dance performer in extracurricular events, while Mary Kris, the youngest, is a Grade 9 student who has already proven her academic excellence as a consistent honor student.

Grace Ann credits the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) for easing the family’s financial burden during crucial times. From school supplies to their school allowance, the cash grant provided by the program helped bridge many gaps that could have hindered her siblings’ education.

For her, the program did not just offer them monetary aid—it gave them dignity and the opportunity to move forward.

As a young parent, Grace Ann committed to raising her child well. She understood the importance of emotional and financial readiness before entering the lifelong responsibility of marriage. Where others may see limitations, she finds purpose—and where others might stop, she continues with even greater resolve.

Grace Ann has overcome the challenges she faced at a young age because Zaya became her ultimate reason to continue excelling—an anchor of hope and a reason to dream even bigger. ###