BACOLOD CITY – Wilma de los Reyes, the first summa cum laude of Bacolod City College (BCC), is grateful for the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) for helping her fulfill her dream to finish school and find a job to help her family.

The eldest of five siblings, the 25-year-old student assistant scholar, who hails from Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, traveled to this city six years ago looking for work to support her studies.

The road was not easy, but years later, she graduated as valedictorian of the Bacolod City College Class of 2026 with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship, leading the 1,154 graduates during the commencement exercises held at the SMX Convention Center on June 15.

In her valedictory address, De los Reyes said that because of her family's financial struggles, she was uncertain of even going to high school after graduating as elementary valedictorian.

“Though I graduated as valedictorian, I had doubts if I could go to high school due to a lack of financial resources,” she recalled.

Then hope came when her mother became a member of 4Ps, and their family became beneficiaries of grants from the DSWD.

“There are people God sent to help us. My mom became a member of 4Ps, and with the help of the government, my siblings and I went to school,” De los Reyes said.

Continuing to excel in her studies, she also topped her academic track in senior high school and still dreamed of earning a college degree while thinking of just finding a job and help support the education of her siblings.

In Bacolod, De los Reyes worked as a house help and tutor while attending college, and in her junior year, she became a student assistant to earn extra income to help pay for her school expenses.

Her perseverance and scholastic merits culminated in a historic achievement, becoming the first summa cum laude of Bacolod City College, and receiving at least nine non-academic awards.

In her Facebook post on Wednesday, De los Reyes said: “Delayed but not denied.” Though being the eldest, her younger sibling graduated from college ahead of her.

“To make a long story short, I did it. I survived. Thank you for all those people behind this success. To God be all the highest glory,” she said.

De los Reyes said that starting earlier this year, her mother, who is working in a hotel establishment in Canlaon City, no longer received 4Ps grants after the DSWD moved her to Level 3 or self-sufficient, while her father works in a printing shop in Bacolod.

Now that she has finished college, De los Reyes said she is looking forward to working in the city government after Mayor Greg Gasataya offered her a job at the Bacolod City Government Center.

“Poverty is not a hindrance to success. It may challenge us, but it will never define us. You do not have to be the fastest. You do not have to be the best. You only have to be brave enough to continue,” she said. “We are living proof that dreams are stronger than circumstances.”

Gasataya lauded De los Reyes for her dedication in her education.

"I know that life gave you all a hundred reasons to stop, but you always chose to find one not to give up hope. You chose to not let your circumstances dictate your dreams and now you are closer than ever to your dreams," Gasataya said.

Gasataya assured that the city government will continue to find ways to ensure every Bacolodnon's right to quality and accessible education.

BCC Class of 2026 produced a remarkable number of Latin honor recipients – one Summa Cum Laude, 62 Magna Cum Laude, 110 Cum Laude, and 97 recipients of Academic Excellence awards.

Their graduation concluded with Batch “Seirios” singing their graduation song, “A Sky Full of Stars” by Coldplay, a song that served as a heartfelt reflection on their college journey. (With PNA)