Becoming a licensed agriculturist despite life’s challenges

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“Totoy, pasensya na. Walang pera si Mama, hindi makakapunta.”

Anjelo Pula, a resident of Brgy. Batabat Sur in Buenavista, Quezon, still recalls this heartbreaking call from his mother a few days before his senior high school graduation.

According to Anjelo, though he truly understood their family’s situation at that time, he still could not control his tears.

“‘Nung nagsisimula na ang programa [graduation], panay ang lingon ko sa likuran para tingnan kung an’dyan ba s’ya. Laking tuwa ko na sa pang-ilang ulit kong paglingon ay nariyan na siya na nakangiti at kumakaway sa akin,” he recalled.

For Anjelo, now 23, this scene perfectly describes their family’s living condition–a life hindered by financial struggles yet fueled with all the family members’ determination to succeed.

Determination to succeed

Anjelo shares that despite his parents’ hard work, they struggled financially.

“Mahirap ang aming buhay dahil sunud-sunod ang panganganak ng aking ina at hindi permanente ang kita niya sa pagbebenta ng gulay sa mga tiangge ng iba’t-ibang kalapit bayan ng Buenavista. Ang ama ko naman ay nagpapaupa sa pangangawit ng niyog, nagtatanim, at minsan ay nagkakarpintero,” shared Anjelo.

He added that his parents would often go home late at night exhausted, at times with no food to eat.

In 2008, when they became a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), their burdens lightened.

As a beneficiary of the 4Ps, their family receives conditional cash grants to support their needs on education and health.

At a young age, he understood the help from the program somehow made their life easier; however, not one of their family members depended on it.

“Para makatulong, may mga panahon na bago ako pumasok sa school, may dala akong pechay para ialok sa mga karinderya na madadaanan,” he shared.

As the eldest child in the family, Anjelo became very motivated to pursue college. After all, he will be the first one in his family to ever reach college.

Bittersweet success

Anjelo took up Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Lopez, Quezon. In his second year, he became one of the recipients of the UniFast – Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) provided by the Commission on Higher Education.

In the said scholarship program, children from poor families like him who are beneficiaries of the 4Ps are prioritized.

Other than the UniFast-TES, Anjelo also scouted other scholarship programs and succeeded in getting enough of them to support all his needs.

In 2023, he graduated Cum Laude.

“Walang pagsidlan ng tuwa ang aking ina at ang aming pamilya dahil sa unang pagkakataon, may college graduate na sa pamilya,” happily recalled Anjelo, who promised to help his other siblings, five of them are still studying.

After graduation, Anjelo was elected as the Sangguniang Kabataan Chairperson in their barangay. Through his minimal honorarium and also from his side hustle repairing cellphones, he manages to help with their family’s needs.

However, in June 2024, just before he applied to take the licensure examination for agriculturists, his mother died due to a rare type of cancer.

Though this had been his lowest point, during his review sessions, he found hope and inspiration in a sticky note in his study area with the words ‘papasa ako para sa’yo, Mama Elang.’

In November 2024, he took the licensure examination and while waiting for the results, he also completed an advanced training program as a cellphone technician.

“Ngayon ay isa na akong propesyunal at rehistradong magsasaka at ipinagmamalaki ko ito. Ngayong 2025 ay malapit na ring maitayo ang aking sariling cellphone repair shop,” shared Anjelo with pride. 

For Anjelo, although he does not consider their life as very successful, he takes pride that his family has come a long way already.

“Lubos kong ipinagpapasalamat ang mga blessings at achievements ko sa buhay. Ngayon ay kaya ko nang bilhin ang mga gamit sa bahay, tumulong sa aking pamilya, at nawa ay sa lalong madaling panahon ay maibigay ang magandang buhay,” he shared.

Though his mother is no longer with them to witness their little successes, at least he can be true to his promise that they will definitely work harder each day to reach their dreams of a better life. More importantly, he will work towards being able to help others as well in the future just how he received different types of help along the way. # [Based on the story submitted by Anjelo Pula and reported by JMMerjudio]