"Mahirap mag-review habang hindi mo alam kung paano magluluksa."
As the old saying goes, "When it rains, it pours." This applies not only to the abundance of blessings but also to the deluge of challenges in life.
The story of a licensed professional teacher, Mariel Gatdula Esteron, moved netizens after she shared the story behind her passing the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) held on March 17, 2024, with the results announced on May 24.
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| Photo courtesy: Facebook/Mariel Gatdula Esteron |
She said that reviewing for the exam was difficult for her because it coincided with her mourning the passing of her Nanay Edith, her grandmother who had acted like a parent to her.
"Napakahirap sa akin ang exam na 'to. (Sa lahat naman huhu) Ilang beses kong muntik sukuan pero nag-exam pa rin ako. Ayon pala makakapasa ako. 🫶," she said on her Facebook post.
She almost gave up on the LET due to the various difficulties she faced during her review period.
"Simula October lahat ng masasakit at hirap, dinanas ko. Kaya sobrang hirap talaga at ilang beses ko na itong muntik sukuan. Sinabi ko sa mga kaibigan ko na hindi ko na kaya, kaya sa susunod na LET na lang ako mag-eexam para kako okay na ako. Sobrang lungkot talaga to the point na hindi ko na nafifeel yung sarili ko at palaging umiiyak."
"Sa buong review ko, wala talagang pumapasok sa isip ko. Clouded utak ko at the same time sobrang bigat talaga ng kalooban ko. Sobrang tumaba rin ako kakastress eating. Bwahahaha. 2 weeks before exam hindi na ako natutulog. Tapos tuwing magbubukang liwayway, ayan na naman. Malungkot na naman. Kasi ayon na yung oras na maririnig ko na pagwawalis ng nanay Edith ko."
"Tuwing alas-10 ng umaga, manggigising at papakainin ako no'n kasi alam niyang gutom ako sa mga oras na iyon. Pero lahat ng nakasanayan ko na nandiyan siya kapag nahihirapan ako, wala na. Kasi wala na siya. Kaya yung hirap mas dumoble pa."
Though it is painful that her grandmother will not witness this new milestone in her life, she knows that her grandmother is watching over her and will not abandon her.
"Ang sakit isipin na hindi na niya makikita itong achievement ko na ito. Pero alam kong kasama ko siya magmula noong una hanggang sa pagtake ko. Alam kong nandiyan lang siya para sa akin. Kasi hindi niya ako hahayaan at papabayaan."
"Nanay, para sa iyo 'to lahat. Hindi mo man ito nakita pero alam kong nakikita mo ito sa langit. Nanay, LPT na po ako. Una't huling grumaduate on time sa pamilya at unang board passer sa pamilya ni Ma'am Ambel at Kon. Aye. May PROFESSIONAL TEACHER na si Ambel at si Aye, nanay. Sana proud kayo ni tatay Joe sa langit habang nanunuod. Huwag mo na akong ipagmayabang diyan ha? Nahihiya po ako. Hahahaha," aniya.
Besides her grandmother, she also dedicated her achievement of becoming a licensed teacher to her parents and other important people in her life.
Mariel also thanked God for the blessings she received throughout her educational journey until she finally passed the LET.
"At kay Lord, thank you so much po! Papuri at pasasalamat po sa iyo. Kayo po ang may gawa nito. Alam ko pong kayo po ito. 😭 kahit madaming doubts, hinding hindi bumitaw. Sabi ko nga po sa mga dasal ko palagi, magtitiwala't maniniwala lang po ako sa inyo. Alam ko pong hindi niyo ako pababayaan. At hinding hindi niyo po ako bibiguin. Maraming maraming salamat po. Pakiingatan po ang nanay Edith at tatay Joe ko po riyan sa langit, ha?"
She mentioned that she is currently applying to schools while also taking care of some personal matters.
Congratulations, Teacher Mariel!
— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express
