MANILA, Philippines – Sheeva B. Abenido’s rise from overseas domestic helper to Top 1 in the September 2024 Licensure Exam for Teachers (LET) - Elementary Level is a story of sacrifice, perseverance, and faith.
“I grew up poor with three younger siblings who needed financial support, so instead of pursuing my dream of college, I had to work abroad,” Sheeva recalled.
She worked as a domestic helper in Kuwait for three years and in Hong Kong for two, setting aside her dreams for her family’s needs.
In 2019, she returned to the Philippines with determination, saying, “Despite my age, I believed I could still study and learn.”
She balanced part-time jobs from Monday to Friday while attending college classes on weekends, showing her commitment to education.
By God’s grace, she completed her Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, graduating Magna Cum Laude, a milestone she described as “proof that sacrifices bear fruit.”
Preparing for the board exam was daunting for her, as she admitted, “I was insecure and nervous, unsure if I could pass, much less top the exam.”
She doubted herself further because her school was new and her batch was only the second group of graduates, but she pressed on with prayer.
“I surrendered everything to the Lord, because my faith told me that with God, nothing is impossible,” she said.
On December 13, 2024, her 12-year prayer was finally answered when she saw her name at the very top among 44,002 examinees.
“When the time was right, the Lord made it happen,” Sheeva said.
— The Summit Express