Pedicab Driver Graduates Magna Cum Laude

For some students, finishing college can already feel like an impossible dream when money becomes a daily struggle. For Jerson Entrampas Aboabo of Iligan City, however, financial hardship did not stop him from earning a college degree. His story as a pedicab driver graduate is a powerful reminder that difficult circumstances do not have to determine a person’s future.

He Once Thought College Was Not for Him

Jerson’s journey was not easy from the beginning. In 2018, he took the System Admission and Scholarship Examination (SASE) because he wanted to study at MSU-IIT. However, he did not pass the examination and received a score of 65.

The result deeply affected his confidence. He said he began thinking that perhaps college was not meant for him and that he might simply have to work instead. He also experienced bullying, rejection, and discrimination because of his test result.

“Pagkatapos kong malaman na hindi ako nakapasa sa SASE, napakababa ng tingin ko sa sarili ko.”

Despite the disappointment, Jerson eventually found a way to enter his dream school. Instead of allowing the failed examination to define him, he used the experience as motivation to work harder.

His Failure Became Part of His Success

Looking back, Jerson eventually realized that failing the SASE was not the end of his story. Instead, it became one of the experiences that pushed him to grow.

He explained that he became proud of the struggles he experienced because they showed him how much he had changed during his years at IIT.

“Hindi ako nakapasa sa SASE at ipinagmamalaki ko iyon.”

For Jerson, the rejection, uncertainty, sacrifices, and disappointments became part of his personal journey. Rather than seeing them as reasons to quit, he treated them as opportunities to become stronger.

He Worked Multiple Jobs to Stay in School

Jerson knew that continuing his education would require more than determination. He needed to find ways to help pay for his studies while also supporting his family.

During college, he took on several jobs, including:

• Selling water at school
• Selling milk bars
• Tutoring
• Commission-based work
• Driving a pedicab

Being a pedicab driver was not something he considered shameful. At first, he admitted that he felt embarrassed about his family’s financial situation. Eventually, however, he realized there was nothing wrong with working honestly to achieve his goals.

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He Even Sold Water for ₱20 a Bucket

One of the jobs Jerson took involved selling water at school. According to his account, he collected water and sold it for ₱20 per bucket.

The experience was difficult, especially because he initially felt embarrassed about doing it. But as time passed, he realized that honest work was nothing to be ashamed of.

“Walang dapat ikahiya hangga’t walang natatapakan.”

He continued working while trying to keep up with his academic responsibilities. Balancing school, work, and his personal life became one of the biggest challenges of his college years.

Becoming a Pedicab Driver While Studying

Among his different jobs, driving a pedicab became one of the most memorable parts of Jerson’s journey. He had to balance driving for income with his responsibilities as a student.

The difficult schedule did not make his academic dreams disappear. Instead, he continued moving forward despite the exhaustion and pressure.

His experience demonstrates why the story of a pedicab driver graduate resonates with many Filipinos. Behind his Magna Cum Laude achievement was a student who had to work for his education while others could focus primarily on their studies.

Online Classes Created Another Challenge

Jerson’s college journey became even more difficult when classes shifted online. He said he struggled because he did not have the necessary resources, including a laptop and cellphone.

He eventually sought help from friends and even participated in a Piso Para sa Laptop campaign to help him survive the remaining semesters of online learning.

“Nahirapan akong mag-adjust sa online class, knowing that I don’t have resources, like laptop, cellphone, and other things needed for online class.”

Despite those difficulties, he managed to continue his studies and eventually reach graduation day.

Four Years of Sacrifice Finally Paid Off

Jerson described his four years at IIT as a period of his life that he would never forget. His college experience involved more than attending classes and completing assignments.

He worked commission-based jobs, drove a pedicab, collected grass to earn money, and experienced nights when he had little or no money in his pocket.

“Ang apat na taon ko sa IIT ay tiyak na panahon ng aking buhay na hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan.”

Despite everything, he remained grateful to the people who helped him throughout his college journey.

From Failed SASE Result to Magna Cum Laude

The contrast between the beginning and end of Jerson’s college journey makes his achievement even more remarkable. He entered the story as a student who failed the SASE and questioned his own abilities.

Years later, he stood among the graduates of MSU-IIT as a Magna Cum Laude.

His achievement shows that a single examination score cannot determine a person’s intelligence, potential, or future. Jerson’s experience also demonstrates how persistence can turn rejection into motivation.

His Message to Those Who Are Struggling

Jerson’s story carries a message for students who may currently feel that their circumstances are preventing them from succeeding. His own experience shows that financial hardship, rejection, and failure can be difficult obstacles without necessarily becoming permanent barriers.

His journey also highlights the importance of asking for help when resources are limited. Friends, supporters, and other people who assisted him became part of his path toward graduation.

Most importantly, his story shows that success can look very different before the final result becomes visible.

A Story of Perseverance

Jerson Entrampas Aboabo’s journey from a struggling student to a Magna Cum Laude graduate is a story of perseverance. He failed the SASE, experienced bullying and discrimination, worked several jobs, drove a pedicab, and struggled with the lack of resources during online classes. Yet none of these challenges stopped him from finishing college. His achievement proves that honest work and education can go hand in hand, even when the road is difficult.

The story of this pedicab driver graduate is ultimately a reminder that one’s starting point does not have to determine where they finish.