Civil engineering graduate who struggled with finishing school becomes board topnotcher

This man is proof that anything is possible as long as there is hard work and faith.

According to Victoria Tulad's report on "24 Oras," Monday, 28-year-old Jobert De La Cruz used to have just OK grades in college. At one point, he even thought he could not graduate.

"Majority of the time do'n sa college talaga, pasang-awa. Tres lang. Bagsak pa nga sa midterm," he said. "Tingin ko no'n, hindi ko naman kaya tapusin 'yung pag-aaral ko."

("Majority of the time during college, I barely passed. I would get 3.0. I would even fail my midterm. I thought back then, I couldn't finish my studies.")

De La Cruz also thought so since his dad, who was a security guard, wasn't earning enough. At times, he didn't have the means to even go to school.

"May mga times talaga na 'yung dala ko lang (na) pera is for back and forth na pamasahe. Nagdadala lang ako ng biscuit," he said.

("There were times when the cash I would bring is just enough for the fare. I would just bring biscuits.")

He stopped studying in the middle of his first year in college, as they were deep in debt after a fire put their house down and he had to be operated for appendicitis.

To help with their expenses, he worked as a carpenter and a factory worker. After saving, he was able to return to school after two years and graduate with a degree in civil engineering.

In the past five months before his licensure exam, he spent almost 14 hours a day reviewing. With his hard work, he did not only pass but was also among the Top 10 passers in 2019.

He is now working as an instructor in a review center and a part-time professor at University of Cebu.

"I remember the struggles talaga. 'Yung parents ko kasi is hindi sila 'yung showy pero I know na happy talaga sila," he said. "Sobrang proud po (sila)."

"Sometimes talaga, gagawa ng paraan 'yung Panginoon siguro kung nakikita Niyang ginagawa mo rin 'yung best mo (na) hadlangan 'yung kahirapan."

("I really remember the struggles. My parents are not showy but I know that they are really happy. They're so proud. Sometimes, God will make a way when He sees that you're doing your best to defy poverty.")

—Franchesca Viernes/MGP, GMA News