As the saying goes, “when there’s a will, there’s a way.” And Erwin Valmoria Macua, a 38-year-old security guard working in St. Theresa’s College (STC) in Cebu, Philippines shows us that this is true.
Source: Cebu Daily News
He served as a security guard at the college for 17 years and on Friday, he finally achieved his dream of having a college degree.
In fact, he graduated with honours, with a diploma for a baccalaureate degree in Elementary Education (BeEd) on Saturday.
Even I didn’t get an honours :'(
According to Cebu Daily News, Macua could not contain his excitement and said, “I could not believe that I would reach this point. I am still on cloud nine.”
Source: Cebu Daily News
But before he attends his convocation, the father of three still diligently does his duty as the night shift security guard and has not skipped a day of work since he started college.
He works from 7.00pm to 7.00am while his classes start from 7.30am to 4.00pm and he has been in the Dean’s list ever since he started college in 2013. Such amazing dedication!
And the motivation behind his dedication is his love for his family, as he needs the salary to support them. Macua says, “It’s no work, no pay. My salary here has been helping support not just my studies but my family as well.”
Source: Mich Padayhag FB
Irenea, his wife also runs a sari-sari store in Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City to help lessen Macua’s burden. He was a college drop out in 1997, after just a semester of civil engineering as his parents could not afford to pay for his school fees.
He left for the city and his uncle helped him secure his current job in STC in 2000. Even after getting married and starting a family, it was still his dream to finish his college education. Finally, in 2013, STC opened its doors to welcome male students and Macua had a chance to make his dreams come true.
Source: Mich Padayhag FB
In addition, he was offered a 50% discount on his college tuition. “Who could refuse such offer? This is a dream come true for me to get a degree,” he said happily. One semester in STC costs from P20,000 to P36,000 (RM1,763 to Rm3,174) so the discount was a big help.
When asked the reason for pursuing a degree in BeEd, he said, “I want to inspire young people; that they need to give back to their parents. That will be the best reward to them.”
Source: Cebu Daily News
He says he is grateful to his family and also his classmates as they have helped him a lot. He stresses that time management is important, and while he had very little time to sleep, it was all worth it in the end.
Source: Cebu Daily News
As he steps on to the stage to receive that hard-earned diploma, he celebrates his success not only with his wife and children, but also his mother and five siblings who came from Bohol to attend his convocation.
Congratulations, Macua! Now, go out and achieve your dreams, people!
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