“I don’t want to let my circumstances define my future.”

This encapsulates the life principle of Khane Jevie Rose Solante Cervantes, a former Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) monitored child from Barangay Poblacion, Cateel, Davao Oriental, who was a topnotcher in the 2024 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET).

Out of 44,764 candidates who took the test last March 20, a total of 890 (58 percent) passed and Khane was one of the three successful examinees who shared the prestigious first spot, earning an impressive average score of 92.40 percent.

For Khane, this was more than just a personal victory—it was the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.

However, her journey to success can be likened to a rollercoaster ride. In the pilot episode of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Mga Kwento ng Pag-Asa at Pagbabago (#KPAP) online documentary, Khane and her family shared how they navigated the hardships of poverty.

Growing up in a large family was bittersweet for Khane. Having nine siblings, there was never a dull moment in their home, but it was also tempered by the harsh realities of financial difficulties because of the unstable income of their parents.

“Nung maliliit pa sila, yung ikinabubuhay namin magsasaka lang ang asawa ko, maliit lang ang income niya kasi di naman namin sarili ang lupa. Ako naghayupan lang ako ng baboy, nagbantay ng baka, wala akong saktong income,” shared Rogelia, Khane’s mother.

Rogelia was an animal keeper, while Joventino, Khane’s father, was a farmer and caretaker of a farming terrain.

Despite their relentless efforts, their income was barely enough to provide for the basic needs of their large family. There were many nights when Khane would lie awake, worrying about how her parents could possibly make ends meet.

In 2012, Khane and her family experienced another struggle when Super Typhoon Pablo hit Davao Region and damaged their home.

“I was 11 years old nung time ng bagyo pero as early as that age, nakita ko na mahirap talaga ang sitwasyon kasi for ilang buwan nakikitira po kami sa auntie ko…tapos nung lumipat kami gumawa si papa ng bahay kubo para doon po kami lumipat…back to zero po kaming lahat,” Khane recalled.

After two years, a glimmer of hope arrived at the Cervantes family in the form of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Through the program, her family received financial support for education, health, and nutrition, which significantly eased their burden.

Khane’s parents were able to cover school expenses, and for the first time, Khane felt that her dream of pursuing education might not be so out of reach.

Despite the difficulties, Khane is thankful to her parents for their support and hard work.

“Kasi po they never made us feel like we were struggling kasi when it comes to our education, they are very supportive. They never told us na kailangan mong huminto sa pag-aaral kasi mahirap, kasi hindi namin kaya. Hindi po sila ganun,” Khane narrated.

With renewed determination, Khane completed high school and set her sights on higher education. She enrolled at Davao Oriental State University – Cateel Extension Campus, where she pursued a degree in Education.

As a 4Ps beneficiary, Khane was also eligible for additional support through the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST). Through the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES), she received Php40,000 annually, which covered her tuition fees and other academic-related expenses.

Khane’s hard work paid off when she graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2023 from Davao Oriental State University. But her journey did not end there. Determined to reach her goal of becoming a licensed teacher, Khane poured all her energy in preparing for the LET which she was able to hurdle with flying colors, ranking first among the top scorers in the Elementary Education category.

“Masayang-masaya kami lahat, umiiyak kami lahat. Hindi ko inaasahan na maka-top 1 sya…salamat sa Diyos,” Rogelia recalled when they found out about Khayne’s successful LET journey.

Looking back, Khane and her parents were grateful to the 4Ps for helping their family to support their educational needs.

“Ang masasabi ko lang sa DSWD, nagpasalamat ako sa kanila natulungan kami, nakaraos kami sa binibigay sa amin na ,” said Joventino.

As someone who has lived through the struggles of poverty, Khane hopes to give a comfortable life for her parents.

“Dream ko talaga sa parents ko is mabigyan sila ng comfortable life…hindi man ganun kayaman, pero just comfortable enough na di na sila kailangan magtrabaho,” Khane said.

She also plans to become a lawyer someday.

“I want to be the voice for the marginalized,” Khane said when asked about her reason for wanting to pursue a law degree.

At present, Khane is part of the faculty of the Davao Oriental State University-Main Campus fulfilling her childhood dream of becoming an educator.

The Mga Kwento ng Pag-Asa at Pagbabago (#KPAP) features success stories of DSWD beneficiaries. It is hosted by Traditional Media Service (TMS) Director Aldrine Fermin and aired every Tuesday on the DSWD’s official Facebook page. #