Intelligent, hardworking, and persistent – these are the words Arlene and Carlito used in describing their daughter Lady Australia.

Lady Australia Alima is the second child among seven. Composed of a nine members, The Alma household, was one of the recipients of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program way back 2011.

Carlito, knows how important education is, having to work in a bakery in Cebu, while taking up engineering in college, he knows that hard work is important to succeed. He was a student in the morning, and dough puncher in the evening. He endured the routine for almost 2 years, but eventually gave up because his work demanded more time, and he could no longer focus on his studies. Carlito developed his skills in baking, eventually mastered the delicacy called cay-cay – a crispy peanut biscuit.

In 1997, the couple decided to rent an old establishment in Bayugan to open a bakery. Since their business was still new, they had a hard time sustaining their sales – they both shared that their situation during that time was the same as what Kuya Kim Atienza (television personality) would say, “Ang buhay ay weather-weather lang (We do not control of the circumstances in life).”

This was the case until an opportunity opened – someone who was based in Davao City loved their product, and offered them a capital without interest. The offer included an 800 sq. lot, a house, and a delivery truck, for them to take their business in Davao City.  The couple gladly accepted the offer and started their business “Alima’s Cay-cay” was born. Their business did well in Davao City where they earned around Php50,000-60,000 a month. But when a financial crisis hit the country, many of their suki failed to pay on time, and affected their income. They had no choice but to leave Davao, bringing along all the equipment, and carrying the lessons they have learned.

The couple tried to venture in Butuan City, and rented a spacious area, where their business grew for 3 years. Unfortunately, the owner of the rented space decided to sell the property, which they could not afford to buy. They once again transferred and carried all their belongings to Barangay Amaga, Barobo, Surigao del Sur – their first home, their last resort.

It was a hard decision venturing in a business in a third-class municipality. They would be lucky enough to earn Php500 pesos every week; it was really hard for them since they have nine mouths to feed. They were short of savings, but despite the circumstances, they made sure that their children’s education and dreams were never jeopardized. Fortunately, 4Ps came to the rescue, during the difficult phase of their lives.

“Lisod kaayo amoa kinabuhi, wala nami order nga cay-cay nga mao ra amo gisaligan, pero pasalamat mi sa DSWD staff kay ilaha mi gibisita, ug nakita nila ang amoa sitwasyon ato nga panahon (Our life was so hard, we were short of orders and we only relied on our small business, but we are thankful for the DSWD staff who visited, and saw our situation that time),” Arlene recalled.

That time, supporting seven children, one of whom was already in college, was not an easy matter. As they continued to operate their business, the cash grants also have been their bridge to surmount hardship. It supported the health and education of their children, and even encouraged them to dream more. Thus, one of the monitored children, Lady Australia, dreamt of entering the portals of the Philippine Military Academy after high school.

Lady was one of the many examiners who tried their best to pass the PMA entrance examination, and fortunately, she made it. Arlene and Carlito were very happy but also worried on how to provide the needs of their daughter as she enters PMA when they are at the challenging point of their life. They made sure to provide for Lady’s needs, even if it meant that they had to spend some of their business money for her schooling.

Arlene disclosed that Lady always worries about them, and she saw how persistent their daughter was. Even in her primary to secondary education, she was a consistent honour student and graduated Valedictorian in Barobo National High School. Lady was a firm believer that her education and hard work will get them out of poverty.

“Nakatabang gayud ang programa sa paghatag og tabang ug ayuda sa mga galastuhon. Wala usab kami lain ikabilin sa among mga anak kondili ang edukasyon na walay makakawat bisan kinsa. (The Program really helped and assisted us in our expenses. We also cannot leave anything to our children, but to support them in their education, this cannot be stolen away from them),” Carlito shared.

At present, Lady is now a Regimental Female Affairs Officer in her 4th year. She provides a part of her allowance with her family, and sends them P5,000 a month. Her sister Carlin (eldest) is a college student taking up Geodetic Engineering in Caraga State University, Carl (third) is in 2nd year at Surigao del Sur State University, and Jamaica is a Grade 11 student at the Barobo National High School.

Indeed, looking at their lives from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program point-of-view, the family has reached level 3 (Self-Sufficient) status. Because of their hard work and devotion, they were able to improve their lives. The family demonstrated that all sacrifices, sufferings, and exhaustions will be worth if you put your faith in God, through prayers.

The Alima’s resilience in life brought them to where they are today, from selling the crisp-coated cay-cay of Barobo, to entering the portals of the Philippine Military Academy. ###(Social Marketing Section/DSWD Field Office Caraga)