By Jennifer P. Rendon
Never say never.
It took 15 years and eight attempts for a mother of seven to finally pass the board exam for teachers.
Persistence and the desire to provide a better future for her family drove Akeanon Sheena May Zaspa to pursue her goal of becoming a licensed professional teacher.
A member of the Akeanon Bukidnon, an Indigenous People’s group in Libacao, Aklan, Sheena May overcame immense challenges to reach her dream.
Born into an impoverished family, attending school was a struggle.
She shared her story as part of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s “Story of Change” campaign.
One of six siblings, Sheena May’s family owned no land and frequently moved from place to place.
Their primary source of income was selling vegetables, which wasn’t enough to feed a family of eight.
To survive, her parents offered laundry services while her mother also cleaned nails to supplement their income.
Despite hardships, Sheena May finished elementary school and attended Libacao National Forestry Vocational High School.
But in her third year, she became pregnant and gave birth to her first child, Nina Nicolle Angela Araneta, on Jan. 15, 2003.
During the same period, her father fell ill and underwent surgery.
He passed away during her fourth year of high school.
Her siblings had to quit school to help support the family.
After graduation, Sheena May was given a chance to continue her education when the Libacao College of Science and Technology (LCST) opened.
Nakapag-kolehiyo ako, kahit ayaw sana ni nanay kasi di niya na daw kaya, pero habang nag-aaral ako, kinausap ko ang aking mga guro na ako na lang ang magmamanicure at pedicure para may allowance ako at pambili ng pang-project, she said.
(I was able to go to college, even if my mother didn’t want me to because she couldn’t afford it anymore. But while studying, I asked my teachers if I could do manicures and pedicures so I could earn some allowance and buy supplies for my school projects.)
Eventually, she had to stop school and worked as a jewelry appraiser for a pawnshop.
Some of her former teachers encouraged her to return to college.
In her third year, she met Jeremy “Toto” Zaspa, one of her nail care clients.
She became pregnant again.
Ako ay itinakwil na ng nanay kaya nagdesisyon kaming magsama ni Toto, she said.
(My mother disowned me, so Toto and I decided to live together.)
She gave birth to their daughter on Sept. 30, 2007.
While completing her fourth year in college, she got pregnant with her third child but still managed to graduate.
In September 2009, she took the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) for the first time and failed.
She tried again—and failed—seven more times.
Hindi ko na namalayan, naging lima na rin ang mga anak namin. Ang dami na ring pagsubok ang dumating sa buhay namin na naging dahilan kung bakit hindi ako maka-focus sa pagre-review, she said.
(I didn’t realize we already had five children. So many trials came into our lives, which is why I couldn’t focus on reviewing.)
In 2015, her family became beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
Malaki na ‘yong naitulong sa amin kasi nakakabili na kami ng mga pangunahing pangangailangan sa bahay, she said.
(It has helped us a lot because we can now buy our basic household needs.)
Medyo hindi na ako masyadong problemado dahil sa cash grants na aming nakukuha mula sa 4Ps kung saan tatlo sa mga anak ko ang mino-monitor ng programa.
(I’m not as stressed anymore because of the cash grants we receive from 4Ps, which monitors three of my children.)
With renewed hope, Sheena May took the LET again on Sept. 29, 2024.
On Dec. 13, 2024, she saw her name on the list of passers.
“It was indeed an answered prayer,” she said.
She now teaches at Libacao College of Science and Technology.
All seven of her children are in school—three in elementary, one in junior high, two in senior high, and one in college.
Sheena May said 4Ps has played a major role in helping them afford education and healthcare.
Bilang benepisyaryo, malaking tulong sa amin ang programa dahil naibibigay namin ang pangangailangan ng aming mga anak, lalong-lalo na ang mga pangunahing pangangailangan sa paaralan at pangkalusugan, she said.
(As a beneficiary, the program is a big help because we can provide for our children’s needs, especially for school and health.)
