A 40-year-old mother from Antipolo City did not just become famous because of a now viral TikTok video.
She also became a true testament to hard work and perseverance after finally achieving her dream of becoming a licensed teacher despite taking the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) for five times.
(Photo from Mayor Jun Ynares)
Theresa Abibas, a resident of Barangay Mayamot, captured the hearts of netizens after being featured in a TikTok video where she was seen crying with joy after passing the March 2024 LET while riding a public utility jeepney (PUJ).
"Ayon sa kwento sa’tin ni Nanay Theresa, ikalimang beses niya na ito na kumuha ng board exam. 2005 noong una siyang nag-exam pero nabigo siyang maipasa ito. Matapos ang isang taon, sinubukan niya ulit mag-take ng board exam kasama ang isa pa niyang kapatid ngunit sa kasamaang palad, muli siyang nabigo samantalang ang kaniyang kapatid naman ay nagawang maipasa ito (According to Theresa, this is her fifth time taking the board exam after first taking it in 2005. She tried to take the exam again together with her sibling the following year but unfortunately, she had once again failed it while her sibling passed)," Antipolo City Mayor Jun Ynares said Monday, July 22.
Abibas said that it took her another three years to once again try to take the LET. However, she also failed on her third attempt.
"Sawi man siya na maipasa ang unang tatlong take niya ng board exam, hindi naman nasawi si Nanay Theresa na magkaroon ng maayos at masayang pamilya. Kaya mula noon, tinuon na muna niya ang lakas at oras sa pagtatrabaho para sa kaniyang mga anak (Despite failing to pass the board exam on her first three tries, Theresa did not failed in giving her family a comfortable and happy life by focusing on her work to provide for her children)," Ynares said.
After 13 years of putting her dream on hold, Abibas' dream of passing the LET was once again reignited after her younger sibling passed the exam. This inspired her to once again take the board exam for the fourth time.
However, luck was still not on her side as she got a 74.4 percent rating, just shy of .6 percent for her to pass. This prompted her to enroll in the city government's review center to help her prepare for the March 2024 LET.
"Dahil kapos din sa pinansyal, tinulungan natin si Nanay Theresa through our Review Assistance Program na mabayaran ang matrikula niya sa review center (Because of her financial constraints, we helped Theresa through our Review Assistance Program for board exam takers to pay for her review center fee)," Ynares said, adding that in May of this year, Abibas finally passed the board exam.
Abibas is now working as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher.
The mayor said Abibas expressed her wish to finish her masteral studies while also preparing herself and her documents for applying to the city's public schools.
"Kung magtuloy siya ng master’s o PHD, may financial assistance at scholarship program din tayo sa mga nais pumasok sa graduate school (If ever she will continue her master's or PHD, the city government has financial assistance and scholarship programs available for those who wish to enter graduate school)," he noted.
"Proud of you, Nanay Theresa. Thank you for teaching us the beauty of determination, perseverance, and patience. Patunay ang iyong istoryang if we keep trying… and trying… and trying, we will eventually succeed (We are so proud of you Theresa. Thank you for teaching us the beauty of determination, perseverance, and patience. Your story proves that if we keep trying, we will eventually succeed)," the local chief said.