Artwork by: Justin Hernandez /The LANCE
In the hustle and bustle of college life, the typical student juggles classes, deadlines, and the occasional hangouts with friends. But for some Letranites, the daily grind means more than just academics, it’s a literal grind. These are the working students, the unsung heroes of the Colegio, who clock in hours at work while chasing their diplomas.
Mae Macawili, Meriel Ann Villegas, and Instructor Ryan Justine Bautista are examples of how the struggles of juggling work and studies shape stronger individuals.
Mae, a 2nd year Legal Management student, finds profound value in her role managing her family’s Korean mart. Since the pandemic, she has learned the art of time management, social interaction, and adaptability.
"Mas nahahasa ‘yung social skills ko," she shares, emphasizing how customer interactions have prepared her to deal with real-world challenges. Being a working student for her isn’t just about surviving the now; it’s about creating backup plans for the future.
Similarly, Meriel, a 3rd year Tourism Management student, credits her three years as a Taekwondo coach for molding her into a more mature and ambitious individual.
Balancing the roles of being a student-athlete, organization member, and coach hasn’t been easy but rewarding. “This experience made me more mature and open to opportunities,” she shares.
For Inst. Ryan Justine Bautista, member of the College of Education faculty and Community Development Coordinator, his days as a student assistant taught him work ethics and professionalism early on.
While shelving books and editing pubmats may seem unrelated to teaching, he sees the connection. “Ang teacher ay hindi lang nagtuturo,” he explains, highlighting how multitasking as a student assistant prepared him for the multifaceted responsibilities of being an educator.
The challenges they faced were significant but they persevered. “Umabot pa sa point na naging tambayan ko na ang clinic ng Letran,” Mae admits with a mix of humor and sincerity. Meriel also had difficulty balancing priorities and Inst. Bautista highlighted his desire to maintain good grades.
Their common motivators are family, ambition, and the supportive environment of Letran. From accommodating schedule adjustments to building friendships among students and staff, Letran continues to create a nurturing space for working students. However, Inst. Bautista also emphasized the need for hybrid setups to make Letran more of a working student friendly environment.
Their advice to the Letranites is simple yet profound: focus on your goals, prepare for sacrifices, and value the opportunity to grow.
Whether managing a business, coaching a sport, or shelving books, being a working student teaches resilience, adaptability, and gratitude. These are some of the qualities that will serve them well in whatever paths they choose.
The working students of Letran exemplify what it means to persevere, to turn challenges into stepping stones, and to embody the Arriba spirit. Their journey is a testament to the fact that greatness isn’t always found in the spotlight; sometimes, it thrives in the quiet moments such as when Mae handles a long queue at their Korean mart, when Meriel guides a young athlete to perfect a kick, or when Inst. Bautista juggles books and deadlines with a dream in his heart.
As Meriel Ann Villegas put it, “Nothing is impossible once you put your mind to it.” Each step, no matter how difficult, is a stepping stone toward a future defined by hard work and perseverance.