20-year-old Regine Cañete Villamejor achieved her dream despite getting meager allowance from her hardworking parents.
The eldest of three siblings, Villamejor, depended on the earnings of her father, a fisherman, and her mother, a fish vendor, in financing her studies. She lived on a P700 weekly allowance, which included payment for her boarding house, daily meals, and school expenses.
Villamejor knew her parents’ earnings were not enough so she made sure to get into the dean’s list to avail of the 50 percent discount on tuition. To do so, she had to maintain a grade of 1.4. She also sold biscuits to classmates to augment her income.
Despite her busy schedule, Rej, as what she is popularly called by friends, still managed to go back to her hometown in Argao, some two to three hours away from Cebu City, every weekend to help her mother in selling fish.
“It was at an early age that I realized how life was. While selling fish, I always kept telling myself that I had to finish college to help my family and my siblings,” said Villamejor.
When she learned that she was graduating as cum laude, the second highest honors given to college graduates next only to summa cum laude, Rej said she immediately called up her parents. Her father, Raul was very happy while her motherMary Jane cried.
“As I look back at my struggles, I realize that it made me stronger. And I want to thank my parents. Whatever achievements I have, it’s because of them,” she said. (Mars W. Mosqueda, Jr.)