MANILA, Philippines – At just 33 years old, a Filipina educator known online as “Miss JT Diaries” has reached an academic milestone that many only dream of: completing her PhD. For many, 33 is considered “young” for a PhD graduate.
The inspiring journey of Miss JT Diaries from earning her bachelor’s degree at 19 to becoming a doctoral graduate more than a decade later is something that many Filipinos can only dream of. Her current profession as Early Childhood Educator (ECE) in Canada might even be considered the “ultimate goal.”
Many Filipinos dream of working abroad and building a better life for themselves and their families. For Miss JT, a former teacher in the Philippines, that dream included moving to Canada. She candidly shared in the comment section of her post that loans motivated her to work harder for that dream (alluding to the fact that the majority of teachers in the Philippines are constantly deep in debt).
Her journey wasn’t easy but it was full of heart.
The inspiring young woman behind Miss JT Diaries finished her bachelor’s degree at just 19 years old. By 27, she completed her master’s degree. And at 33, after years of hard work and sacrifice, she finally earned her doctorate. Today, she works as an Early Childhood Educator (ECE) in Canada and shares her story and adventures online as “Miss JT Diaries.”
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| From bachelor’s degree to PhD. Photo credit: Miss JT Diaries |
“I’ve been asked many times how I managed to finish my studies early,” Miss JT Diaries shared. She jokingly added, “Well bata rako'g nawng pero gors nako. (People say I look young, but I’m actually old.”
After college, she dreamed big and made plans for her future. But life didn’t always go the way she hoped. As the breadwinner of her family, she had to take care of their needs first. There were times when she had to pause her studies because money was tight. She took loans and worked hard just to make ends meet.
Although she actually graduated young, she set aside her education sometimes because as breadwinner, she needed to support her family. But she never gave up. She always believed she would finish school one day.
Even though it took longer than she planned, she believes everything happened at the right time.
“However, it never crossed my mind to quit. I was determined to finish school and achieve my goals that for me was long overdue. And with God's divine providence, everything came into fruition. I finished school, not in my own timeline but in His timeline,” she explained.
After years of teaching in the Philippines, she made a big decision in 2023: she resigned from her job as a Master Teacher and moved to Canada. Starting over in another country wasn’t easy, but she saw it as a new chapter.
“From Bachelor’s to Master’s to Doctorate. This isn't for the weak. It takes a lot of courage, hardwork, perseverance, sacrifice, and unwavering faith and determination to reach the pinnacle of learning.”
To those who are struggling, she offers this advice: “Turn every struggle into a stepping stone. Don’t give up. Keep going. Padayon!”
Miss JT’s story is proof that with patience, determination, and faith, dreams, no matter how big (or small), can come true.
— Joy Adalia, The Summit Express