by Carlota Ader
Education has long been regarded by many Filipinos as a pathway to success.
This high regard for education often means that parents will do everything in their power, including making profound sacrifices, just to ensure that their children can attend college.
The cultural, social, economic, and personal motivations behind these sacrifices are deeply rooted in core Filipino values that reflect collective aspirations for a brighter future.
Cultural Value of Education
At the core of the Filipino mindset are strong cultural values that are placed on education.
The Philippines has a long-standing belief that knowledge and learning can elevate one’s socioeconomic status.
Filipino families view education as a form of empowerment, enabling their children to secure better job opportunities and consequently to enhance the family’s overall quality of life.
In a country where many live in poverty, the influence of education becomes even more pronounced.
Parents understand that investing in their children’s education is an opportunity to invest in generational wealth and stability.
One such parent is Ronald Cabales, who resides in Pampanga, Philippines with his wife. He works at a computer repair store in Metro Manila, while she manages the family’s sundries store.
The couple has rolled the dice and entrusted their future livelihoods to the success of their three children who are currently in college.
“To pay for our kids’ college tuition, we really tried very hard to cut back and save as much as possible,” he says.
“It has been a struggle but we are surviving thanks to the grace of God. We have put all of our faith and trust in Him.”
What has helped to defray expenses is that all three of their children were awarded scholarships and have received exemplary grades. The eldest wants to attend medical school, the middle child law school, and the youngest—a girl—nursing.
Cabales’ situation is proof that the concept of kabataan or youth is truly highly esteemed in Filipino culture.
Children are considered the hope of the nation, and their success symbolizes not just personal triumph, but national progress.
This creates pressure on parents to ensure that their children achieve higher education—underscoring the belief that attaining a college degree is not merely an individual goal but a familial obligation.
This cultural expectation cultivates an environment where parents are willing to make considerable sacrifices to fulfill this vision.
Economic Considerations
The economic landscape of the Philippines is intricately tied to the value of higher education.
The country has one of the highest rates of unemployment among college graduates in Southeast Asia.
Holding a college degree significantly enhances one’s chances of finding employment in the Philippines.
Many parents recognize that without a college education, their children may fall into the cycle of poverty, unable to secure jobs that can sustain a family.
Families often allocate a substantial portion of their income to fund their children’s education.
This can mean sacrificing daily comforts, foregoing material luxuries, or even taking on additional work.
In rural areas, where access to resources is often limited, parents may invest their savings, or sell land and properties, to pay for college tuition, believing it to be a sound investment in their child’s future.
Such decisions are not made lightly and reflect a common outlook that the benefits of education far outweigh the sacrifices made during the process.
Personal Sacrifices
Sending a child to college often requires deep personal sacrifices from Filipino parents.
Daily struggles such as exhausting work hours and skipping meals become commonplace.
For many, this entails accepting low-paying, labor-intensive jobs or multiple jobs—just to meet tuition, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
Mothers may engage in small businesses, while fathers might work overseas as Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to support the family from abroad.
Emotional sacrifices also play a key role. Filipino parents often bear the burden of living far from their children who attend college in urban areas.
The emotional toll of separation can be significant, yet parents are driven by the singular goal of seeing their children achieve their dreams.
Shali Pagulayan’s son John Lawrence is currently attending Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. John was awarded a Presidential Scholarship from ASU and decided to explore life outside Hawaii.
“We are very proud of his accomplishments but at the same time we’re also sad that he chose to go to a college that’s so far away,” she says.
“But that’s his dream and as parents, we need to support him. It’s hard for me as a mom to let him go and to not be able to see him every day or to cook him dinner.”
She and her husband Jonathan will FaceTime or Zoom with their son as often as possible to stay in touch with him.
They know that these sacrifices are part of a larger narrative of hope and aspiration, and such resilience is often marked with dreams of better futures for their children.
Role of Community and Family
The collective nature of Filipino society reinforces these sacrifices. The importance of bayanihan, which refers to the spirit of communal unity and cooperation, encourages support among family members.
In many cases, extended families pull together resources by borrowing money or pooling finances to help a single child obtain a degree. This unity can significantly reduce the financial burden on immediate family members.
Such communal support systems highlight the mutual dependence and shared responsibility within Filipino families, further breeding a dedication to education.
Moreover, the role of neighborhood and friends in supporting educational aspirations cannot be dismissed.
In many communities, when one child succeeds, it inspires others, creating a chain reaction of educational ambition.
Community organizations often provide scholarships or financial aid, further promoting access to education.
This synergy of cooperation and community service amplifies the commitment of Filipinos to education, resulting in increased sacrifices made by families.
Future Aspirations
The hope for a better future is a powerful motivating force behind the sacrifices made by Filipino families.
Parents typically envision their children breaking free from the constraints of poverty, aspiring towards careers that not only improve their own lives but contribute positively to society.
College graduates in the Philippines are often seen as role models who can provide for their families, uplift their communities, and inspire future generations to pursue education.
These aspirations manifest in various ways: some parents invest in their children’s education by meticulously planning educational pathways, and ensuring they attend reputable colleges and universities.
Others focus on nurturing their children’s talents and interests, encouraging them to excel academically or in the arts and sports, which may open additional doors for scholarships or special educational opportunities.
The sacrifices that Filipinos make to send their children to college are deeply embedded in cultural values, economic realities, personal commitment, community support, and the enduring hope for a better future.
Education is viewed as a fundamental key to overcoming poverty and achieving a better life.
The resilience displayed by parents, overcoming enormous challenges to ensure their children’s education, illuminates a universal narrative of love, sacrifice, and ambition.
While the journey is fraught with obstacles, the unwavering belief in education as a transformative force remains a cornerstone of Filipino identity.
As society progresses, the legacy of these sacrifices continues to ripple through generations, embodying the essence of the Filipino spirit.
The following are just a few of Hawaii’s top scholars from the Class of 2024.
Abigail Gonzales Tumamao
Farrington High School, valedictorian, GPA is 4.063
She is attending UH Manoa and majoring in civil engineering. Her parents are Restie and Lyn Tumamao of Honolulu. She plans to build buildings like nice houses and schools in the future.
Lovely Trish Gonzales
Campbell High School, valedictorian, GPA is 4.0
She is attending the University of Pangasinan, Philippines, College of Nursing. Her parents are Roy and Marilou Gonzales of Ewa Beach. She decided to study in the Philippines to learn more about Filipino culture and wants to interact with Filipino students. Her parents are originally from Pangasinan.
John Lawrence L. Pagulayan
Pearl City High School, Valedictorian. GPA is 4.27
He is attending Arizona State University and majoring in mechanical engineering. His parents are Shali and Jonathan Pagulayan of Pearl City.
Judith May Yagin Tamayo
University of Las Vegas-Nevada. Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s in business administration.
She currently works as a leasing associate for Schnitzer Properties in Las Vegas. Her parents are Jennifer and Paul Tamayo. She is looking for better business opportunities that she can pursue in the future.
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