Iah Bantang Seraspi is an inspiration not only for the youth, but for every Filipinos. Teacher Iah, as she is called now, is the TOP 2 for the Licensure Examination for Teachers LET (Secondary Level). 2nd Place out of 81,463 test takers of the Board of Professional Teachers last September 2015!
Teacher Iah, who hails from Romblon, comes from very humble beginnings. In fact she grew up without electricity in their house until she graduated college. Her mom, a housewife while her father, a fisherman, earns around Php 100 a day on a good day. Life must have been a struggle to make ends meet, but with her persistence, and her family and friends support, she made it. And she not only made it, she made it with flying colors.
This is their house as shared by Ms. Debbie Esquejo Garcia. They have no electricity until last April 2015 when a connection was set up with the help of Ms Debbie who paid their a family visit. Imagine how it must have been for a young eager student to study her lessons at night. This proves that poverty is not a hindrance in fulfilling our dreams. It’s trust in God’s provision, its determination, the willingness to push on despite life’s hardships, and family and friends who helped along the way.
Isang larawan ng kahirapan na di hadlang para makamit ang rurok ng tagumpay.
During my high school years, I had to tutor kids to augment my family’s income..Siguro, di rin kayo maniniwala kung sasabihin kong I was already 21 years old (only this year, April 2015 ), when we had electricity in our house. Literally speaking, I was really burning the midnight oil, I should say for those years just to study my lessons .Kaya napakapalad niyo kung pinanganak kayo na may liwanag na ang buhay. Make the most out of it to improve your education. And never think na dahil sa Romblon State University kayo nag-aral, wala tayong laban sa mga prestigious schools. If you have doubts in the quality of education you are receiving, fix your mind on our University vision: Romblon State University as a premier institution of higher education in the Mimaropa Region for a globally competitive province of Romblon.
It takes a village to create a topnotcher. At this point, allow me to extend my gratitude to everyone who contributed to my success. First and foremost, to God for making a mighty miracle in my life. To my parents, Tatay Miguel and Mama Susan, to my siblings for the unlimited support and understanding of all my plans in life. Thank you also to all of my mentors from Elementary to College level who molded me to become what I am now.
I would also like to thank Ate Deborah Esquejo Garcia who financed my college education and my review, I will never experience this joy if you did not help me achieve my dreams in the first place. I also extend the same gratitude to Kua Rodom, Kua Kristoffer, Kua Ercleo, and Kua Francis for treating me like their own sibling. Also, the same gratitude to Ate Nieves Fiel Alvarez who helped me in my highschool education .
To those who are dreaming to be the next topnotcher, commit yourself and be ready to sacrifice. Have a strong motivation, be it intrinsic or extrinsic. Try to bargain with God. He blesses us fairly without expecting something in return but He knows the intentions of our mind and the desires of our hearts. Lastly, never doubt the power of prayers. God answers, big time!
Congratulations to my fellow BLEPT passers. We are now officially teachers. It’s a great pleasure for me to bring honor to our university and province. Onwards Alma Mater dear. Onwards Romblon. Thank you and to God be the glory.” – from a speech given by Ms. Iah Seraspi
She graduated class valedictorian at Looc National High School Batch 2011, and Cum Laude in BSED Major in Biological Science at Romblon State College, Odiongan, Romblon.
Teacher Iah is a college scholarship recipient of the Ernesto Espina Esquejo Scholarship Foundation. A foundation established by the Esquejo siblings namely Engr. Ercleo Esquejo, Francis Esquejo, Rodom Esquejo, Prof. Kristoffer Esquejo, and Debbie Esquejo Garcia, in memory of their father, the late Mr. Ernesto Espina Esquejo. The EEESF is now being managed by Looc National High School in Romblon. Aside from Iah, the EEESF foundation currently assists several high school students. The scholarship and this Foundation was a big part in helping Iah to reach her dreams.
Recently, Teacher Iah was hired as a lecturer by a very successful review center which has 55 branches in the Philippines and in other countries. And come June 2016 she will be teaching in Romblon State University (RSU), her alma mater.
Congratulations Teacher Iah! To your parents, benefactors, teachers too for a job well done! Continue to bring countless inspirations to all Filipinos!
FRMP says
Well done.
Maugan Mosaid says
I shed a tear because I remembered my own story. I won’t forget one whole semester where I got only P5 from my mother. I was a scholar but only my tuition was free. I borrowed books from friends in higher years and eat in my cousin’s boarding house if I have none for the day.
Salvador Valle Arandia says
Despite of family life exhaustment u did it, congratulations teacher Iah Seraspi
CYRUS A. NATIVIDAD says
I would like to talk to you personally and write about your story. We may not have exactly the same experience, or have lived on the same extremes. Our one common thing is that we both believed in ourselves.
jose umadhay says
Very inspiring story…
But to the writer – and to many others who do this, – why say “Top 2” when referring to second placer? I notice many do that now, even judges in so-called international talent contests. Maybe it’s the new accepted practice.
Pero, di ba pag “Top 2”, ang ibig sabihin nyan ay “sya at ang number 1”? Dalawa sila na nangunguna, kaya nga “two” e, hindi lang sya. Mas accurate ang “second placer” to describe her, just like what the headline says…
Nevertheless, Congratulations Teacher Iah. Very nice speech indeed!