MANILA, Philippines – For many people, a 10-year delay can feel like the end of a dream, but for Ruel Pasindo Pacheco, it became proof that some dreams are simply worth waiting for.
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| Provided photo: Ruel Pacheco |
In an exclusive interview with The Summit Express, the newly licensed teacher shared how years of hardship, sacrifice, and faith helped him overcome a long detour on the road to becoming a Licensed Professional Teacher (LPT).
Before earning his license, the 31-year-old from Libaylibay, Maco, Davao de Oro had to put his college education on hold because his family struggled financially.
Life became even harder when his father passed away at the age of 68 while Pacheco was only 21 years old and still unable to pursue higher education.
As the eighth among nine siblings, he knew he had to focus on work first before he could chase his dream of earning a degree.
Instead of attending classes, Pacheco spent years working as a merchandiser, selling cooked meals, and taking on whatever job could help him support himself and his family.
“Hindi naging simple ang aking paglalakbay—ang aking tanging sandata lamang ay ang taimtim na panalangin at masigasig na pagsisikap,” he recalled.
Despite the setbacks, he never allowed his circumstances to dictate his future.
After years of sacrifice, he finally enrolled at North Davao College TFI and pursued a Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Filipino.
His persistence paid off when he graduated with an Academic Distinction Award, proving that delayed dreams can still come true.
Preparing for the March 2026 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers brought another challenge as he struggled with self-doubt and the overwhelming amount of lessons he needed to review.
“The coverage is massive,” he admitted, recalling days when he felt there was always something left unread no matter how much he studied.
Still, he pushed forward by focusing on a simple principle that became his personal motto: “Master the basics, and everything else follows.”
When he finally saw his name on the list of successful examinees, Pacheco immediately thought of the people who had carried him through the hardest years of his life.
“All their sacrifices, support, and prayers finally paid off,” he said.
The achievement was especially emotional because his father was no longer there to witness the dream come true.
Still, Pacheco believes his father would have been proud to see how far he had come—from a young man forced to delay his education to a licensed teacher who never gave up on his dream.
Today, he hopes his story will inspire others who feel discouraged by life's challenges and setbacks.
— The Summit Express“Your starting point does not determine your final destination,” he said, proving that dreams delayed are not dreams denied.
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