MANILA, Philippines – For 12 long years, Leonel Martos Mabaquiao carried a dream that refused to fade, walking through failure after failure until perseverance finally turned his name into a licensed teacher.
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| Photo courtesy: Leonel Martos Mabaquiao |
The Cadiz City native exclusively shared with The Summit Express how persistence, faith, and patience carried him through 17 attempts before finally passing the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET).
Mabaquiao graduated from Philippine Normal University–Visayas in 2010 with a Bachelor of Elementary Education and a simple yet powerful goal: to one day stand in a classroom as a professional teacher.
That same year he took the LET for the first time, unaware that the journey ahead would test not only his knowledge but also his patience and faith.
What followed was an exhausting cycle of preparation, travel, and hope as he repeatedly journeyed to testing centers in Cebu, Iloilo, and Bacolod, chasing a dream that seemed to slip away each time.
“I began taking the LET in 2010, and after many attempts I realized that perseverance and faith were the only things that could carry me forward,” he recalled.
Behind every failed attempt were quiet struggles, financial limitations, and moments of doubt that made him question whether he was truly meant to succeed.
“Repeated failures were emotionally draining and sometimes embarrassing, especially when others passed,” Mabaquiao admitted, remembering the silent weight he carried after every disappointing result.
Yet he refused to blame anyone or surrender the dream that had slowly transformed from a career aspiration into a responsibility for the family he was building.
“When I started having my own family, I felt a stronger responsibility to succeed,” he said, explaining how fatherhood strengthened his determination rather than weakening it.
Prayer became his refuge during the hardest moments, including a visit to Lupit Church in Bacolod where he felt an unexpected sense of calm while waiting for another exam attempt.
“I prayed and trusted God through the process because I believed His timing would eventually unfold,” he said.
In March 2022, after 17 attempts and more than a decade of perseverance, that long-awaited moment finally arrived when his sister urged him to check the results.
“When I saw my name on the list, I cried, ran, and immediately thanked God because all the years of sacrifice had finally paid off,” he shared.
Today, the once-struggling examinee now stands inside testing halls as a proctor for LET, civil service exam, and NAPOLCOM examinations, guiding hopeful candidates who unknowingly mirror his own past.
Now 37 years old, Mabaquiao continues to teach and inspire others, carrying a message forged from twelve years of persistence: “Never give up, because God’s timing is always perfect.”
— The Summit Express