Vendor and mom of three proved doubters wrong by graduating Cum Laude in Education

• Mom of three triumphs over doubters when she graduated Cum laude in Education
• Ivy Melody Santos Generoso shared on Facebook the circumstances surrounding her not being able to finish her 4-year course before
• Even with a family of her own now, Santos-Generoso persisted and enrolled in college and eventually was granted a scholarship, which helped ease her burdens

A Facebook user shared on April 17 her journey of being a merchant and wait-staff to becoming a teacher, while having three young kids to raise; triumphing over doubters who hurled accusations when she started coming back to school again in her not-so-young age and current situation.

“Ang hirap balikan kung paano ako nagsimula,” wrote Ivy Melody Santos Generoso. “Nabiktima ako nang mga taong mapanghusga sa paligid. Kesyo nag-aral lang daw ako para mag buhay dalaga, nag-aral lang para magpaganda. Kung kelan matanda na daw ako saka pa ako nag-aral. Bakit daw nag-anak muna ako bago ko to naisipan etc.”

She then recounted how she came to her decision of going back to school again, and that was by consulting those close to her, especially her husband, who at the start did not even want her to pursue her set goals as they already have three children to raise.

“Kahit makuha ko pa yung scholarship mahirap pa din kasi nga baon, projects, uniform etc. Pero sabi ko sa kanya try ko lang mag-exam, and then kung makapasa try ko lang kahit isang sem. Kung hindi kaya, hihinto ako,” stated Santos-Generoso.

But then, she passed her exam at the University of Caloocan City (UCC). Santos-Generoso felt several things at once: anxiousness at starting school again, and doubt whether she will be able to pull through with her dream of becoming a teacher; when she did not know to whom she could leave her young kids behind while she’s attending her classes.

“Sobrang laking adjustments on my part,” described Santos-Generoso. “Literal na ginawa kong umaga ang gabi. Gigising ako nang sobrang aga para makapamalengke, makapagluto, maihanda yung kakainin at susuotin nila. Papasok sa school, magmamadali talaga akong umuwi kasi iniisip ko kung kamusta na sila sa bahay. Pagdating ko, maglilinis ako nang bahay, maglalaba, mamalantsa, at, pagtulog na sila, saka lang ako makakapag-aral.”

The newly graduate teacher also narrated her misfortunes before she was able to set her path right. Right after her high school graduation, she went to work in a local eatery as an over-all helper to support her family. A year later, she was given a chance to study in college, thanks to her grandmother Julianna, but fate was not on her side then.

“Hindi ko natapos ang four years. It was really a rocky road. Three years ang ginugol ko para lang matapos ang 2 years nang una kong course. (Bachelor of Science in Buss. Educ, ladderized po yun kaya graduate ako ng two years course),” said Santos-Generoso. She also disclosed that she grew up in a broken family, and was a battered child which was first hand for her to experience bullying by her peers.

“Sobrang hirap talaga kapag wala ang mga magulang sa tabi mo, but I never hated or (cursed) them… Kaya pilit akong lumalaban to be living proof na hindi dapat maging hadlang ang nasirang pamilya para masira din ang future nang isang tao,” remarked the persistent fresh graduate.

“Eventually, nagkaroon ako nang sarili kong pamilya. Naranasan namin ang hirap nang buhay. Hindi permanenteng may work ang asawa ko. And kahit nakatapos ako nang two years sa college, hindi ko din yun napanghawakan para magkaroon nang maayos na trabaho. Nag apply ako as crew sa isang fastfood chain. Dito ko naranasan ang sobrang hirap na nasa ibaba ka. Nakaranas na maliitin. Lahat yun dinaan ko sa iyak. Ipinag-pray ko lang ang kalooban nang Dios sakin and I decided to quit my job. Lahat nang raket ginawa ko para lang makatulong sa asawa ko. Tinda dito, tinda doon. Nag online selling din ako. Hanggang sa makakita ako nang pwesto na pwedeng pagtindahan nang merienda sa tapat nang school kung saan nag-aaral ang mga anak ko,” added Santos-Generoso.

And so, when she got good grades during her first year at UCC, she was granted the chance to apply for a scholarship. She also won as Regional Finalist of Soroptomist International Phils. Region which paved the way for her to get the scholarship to help her finish her education without spending a penny from her own pocket.

From then, her trials did not stop as she had to retain good grades, submit and present reports, and experience departmental examinations which, if she failed even once, may lead for her to be ejected from her course. She also had to endure gossips from others who accused her of living a luxurious life. In the end, she pulled through and received numerous awards academically.

Santos-Generoso, now a degree holder of Bachelor of Elementary Education Major in Early Childhood Education, ended her post with, “Ngayon, para sa mga anak ko, kayo ang naging inspirasyon ko. Hindi hadlang ang pagkakaroon nang anak para hindi makapagtapos. Salamat sa Dios.”

Her post was met with positive reactions from netizens, congratulating her on her endeavor.