Service Provided By: PESO Northern Samar
Turning Struggles into SPES Success
My name is Jolina R. Candelario, and I am from Catarman, Northern Samar.
The road to education was never paved with roses for me. I was born into a family that constantly struggled to meet our basic needs, and from an early age, I learned what it meant to live in poverty. Every semester, the same question echoed in my mind: “Would we be able to afford my tuition?” Despite these challenges, I held tightly to my dream of earning a college degree—one that would allow me to provide a better life for my family.
An opportunity came when my family informed me about the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES), a government initiative that supports students by allowing them to earn while studying. I saw it as a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Without hesitation, I applied—motivated by the desire to ease my family’s financial burden and gain experience that would prepare me for the real world.
Being accepted into SPES became a turning point in my life. I was assigned to the KALAHI Assistance Program, where my responsibilities included monitoring beneficiaries and coordinating with community members. It was my first work assignment, and I felt overwhelmed with fear and self-doubt. Interacting with people, handling paperwork, and working in an office environment were all unfamiliar experiences. However, as time passed, I slowly adjusted. Through this process, I learned patience, empathy, and effective communication—qualities that I know will stay with me wherever life leads.
SPES helped me realize that the program was not only about the financial support—it was also about discovering my strengths and understanding my limitations. I learned to appreciate teamwork, understand the struggles of others, and value compassion in serving the community. The allowance I earned through SPES enabled me to pay my school fees and continue my education, something my family once thought was impossible.
SPES became the foundation of my journey. It helped me develop professionally, sustain my education, and support my family. More than that, it uplifted my spirit and made me recognize my own potential. Looking back, I can confidently say that SPES shaped me into a self-assured, capable, and determined individual—ready to face whatever challenges life may bring.
I will forever cherish the opportunity SPES gave me—the chance to dream, to grow, and to believe that with persistence, no obstacle is too great to overcome.
Department of Labor and Employment
Regional Office No. VIII