November 19, 2025 – At first, with the responsibilities of being a mother, earning a college degree seemed almost impossible. Balancing work, family, and studies can feel overwhelming. Yet several mothers have successfully completed their degrees through the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP), overcoming these challenges with remarkable resilience and dedication. Juggling long work hours, caring for their children, and meeting program requirements, they proved that determination and perseverance make the impossible possible.
ETEEAP is a system that allows working professionals to earn a college degree by recognizing their prior learning, work experience, and competencies. It is a great opportunity for working mothers to pursue higher education, balance their responsibilities, and achieve their academic goals while continuing their careers.
Out of 11 ETEEAP graduates for 3rd Term AY 2024-2025, 4 are proud mothers, showing that motherhood is not a barrier but a source of strength and inspiration in achieving one’s dreams.
According to Tiff Manalo, BS‑Information Systems graduate, on her Facebook post on November 10, 2025, “Being a single mom, a student, and a worker all at once wasn’t easy. There were nights I cried in silence, asking God why my life had to be this hard. But even through the pain, I chose to keep going. Because if I stopped, everything would stop with me.” Her story reflects the shared struggles and triumphs of many ETEEAP mothers who fought through exhaustion, doubt, and sacrifice to reach this milestone.
Meanwhile, Maeryl Rondael, BS‑Hospitality and Luxury Management graduate and Jenalyn Sanidad, BS-Information Systems shared that they pursued their degree because they wanted to be a source of inspiration to their child, proving that determination and love for family can fuel the pursuit of education.
Their achievement highlights both the challenges faced by working mothers and the opportunities that ETEEAP provides for professionals pursuing higher education. As mothers and now degree holders, they embody the spirit of SDG 4 (Quality Education) by pursuing lifelong learning, SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by breaking barriers and empowering women to achieve their full potential, and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by showing that opportunities in education and professional growth can be accessible to all, regardless of circumstances. Their success provides greater stability for their families, sets a strong example for their children, and opens new pathways for personal and professional growth.
The graduation ceremony was held on October 27, 2025, at the Marriott Grand Ballroom, attended together with their loved ones, celebrating the dedication and hard work of these inspiring women. As an inclusive institution, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde continues to provide opportunities like ETEEAP, fostering an environment that empowers individuals, values diversity, and contributes to building a more just and humane society.
