A Philippine Normal University (PNU) fresh graduate said that even if she did not "physically" graduate, she is still happy to get her dream degree.
Aileen Bucio, addressing her fellow fresh graduates who did not have an on-site graduation ceremony due to COVID-19, said: "Tuloy pa rin ang buhay (Life goes on)."
"Ang mahalaga naman 'yung diploma na makukuha. Nagkataon lamang talaga na may pandemya, pero ipagpasalamat pa rin natin na nakatapos tayo (What is important is we got our diploma. It's just so happens that there is a pandemic, but we should still be thankful that we graduated)," Bucio told Manila Bulletin.
Bucio, who finished a degree in early childhood education at PNU-Manila, is now tutoring students online to make ends meet while waiting for a teaching job opportunity.
"May inapplyan po ako sa Batangas pa po, nagkataon naman po na nakauwi na ko ng Manila. May tutorial center po akong inapplyan, naghihintay pa rin po ng update (I have applied for a job in Batangas because I already went home to Manila. I also applied for a job in a tutorial center, I'm just waiting for their update)," she added.
Last June, Bucio thought of bartering her skills for food. She posted on a Facebook barter group page offering online tutorial classes for children aged three to nine in exchange for groceries or food.
Fortunately, through the barter group, Bucio received a number of inquiries, while some people sent her groceries.
She now has four regular tutees, including a 50-year old who is learning how to read and write.
"Nakakatuwa nga po kasi may tutee akong 50 years old. Nagpapa-inspire at nagpapa-challenge po sa akin kasi 'yung post ko from 3 to 9 years old. Gusto po matuto magbasa at magsulat. Hindi po siya nakapag-aral dahil walang pagkakataon (I have a 50-year old tutee. She wants me to inspire and challenge her because my tutorial service is only for kids aged 3 to 9 years old. She wanted to study but did not have an opportunity before)," Bucio said.
Bucio said she does not demand an exact amount of food in exchange for her services, adding that everybody is affected by the pandemic.
Stay determined, Bucio said to all the fresh graduates struggling to overcome these trying times.
"Ituloy pa rin ang pagsisikap, gaya ng pagsisikap na makatapos (Continue being determined, just as we were determined to finish our studies)," she said.