By Rusieljs G. Lunasco

From left: Jenny Claire Magno, Ezralene Gadian Ibañez, Maylen Eduria, Lloyd Andre Villaoscarez Rocero.

Among those who were heavily affected by the impact of the pandemic and the shift to distance learning are students who are part of the Work-Study Service Program. Despite the unfavorable circumstances brought about by COVID-19, our work students continue to persevere in finishing their studies.

Three clerical student assistants and one library student assistant share their experiences on how they are coping with online classes.

What keeps you busy aside from online classes?

Lloyd Andre Villaoscarez Recto, BSed-3 (Clerical Student Assistant): I’m perfectly fine. Aside from taking online classes, I spend time in doing portraits and accepting commissions in order for me to have extra income. Through this, I can enhance my skills in drawing and discover things beyond the borders of art.

Jenny Claire Magno, BSBA major in Financial Management -4 (Clerical Student Assistant):
I am very thankful that I am able to focus on my studies during this pandemic but when I go home on weekends, I help my mother with our small business.

Maylen Suganob Eduria, BS Civil Engineering-2 (Clerical Student Assistant):
I’m doing well. Aside from online classes, the things that keep me busy are planting vegetables and flowers, exercising to maintain good health, and also doing household chores.

Ezralene Gadian Ibañez- BS Psych 2 (Library Student Assistant):
As an extrovert, the pandemic has drastically affected my mental, physical and social well-being. It had also instigated hardships in my academics. Fortunately, I was able to keep myself sane and active with the presence and support of the people who are close to me. Aside from my online classes, joining in mental health-related webinars and public speaking competitions keep me busy. Additionally, I applied as a customer service representative in a BPO company to earn additional income. I am studying during the day and I am working at night. It is quite exhausting and tiresome but the pandemic left me with no choice. Despite difficulties, I manage to work well on these activities.

As a work student, how were you affected by the pandemic?

Lloyd: To me, honestly, as a work student, it is not an easy opportunity to work at the same time to study. In a clearer and brighter side, the pandemic helped me to rest and gave me some time for myself and helped me cleanse all the worries and problems.

Jenny: As a working student, the pandemic makes me worried about my health and safety. I was anxious as well since we were not financially ready for distance learning.

Maylen: As a working student I was truly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic because I lost my job which covered my tuition fee. I had to stop schooling for a year. I felt sad since I do not have a part-time job and not being able to go visit my cousins and other family members took a toll on me as well.

Ezralene: As a working student, the pandemic had a positive and a negative effect on me. During the face to face classes, I was able to work as a library student assistant and study at the same time. I was also able to make use of my free time to work overtime in the library which was a big help to compensate for my tuition fees and other expenditures. I can somehow say that before the pandemic, my life as a working student is much better than the present. The pandemic affecting our finances. My parents need to work harder so I can pay my tuition on time and so they can procure school supplies particularly printing materials (i.e., bond papers and ink) to print my books since we do not have sufficient money to buy them. On the other hand, it also has a positive side as I was able to focus on my studies without worrying about my duties.

How did you and your family cope during the pandemic?

Lloyd: My father’s fish business still continued despite pandemic. By the grace of God, he still provides for our needs and wants inside the house. Even though it’s hard and limited to sell fish we are still surviving.

Jenny: Our family business is near a school in our province, so our customers were mostly students. When the pandemic hit, and the schools were forced to close, we were also affected. With God’s provision, we were able to find a source of income.

Maylen: During the pandemic, my family and I did a lot of things to earn money by selling vegetable crops and flowers. Planting vegetables and flowers is our way of earning money to buy food and everyday needs. Since we cannot go to the market to sell our crops, we sell it to our friends, old customers, and to our neighbors. We also make and sell washable masks.

Ezralene: Despite the trials that the pandemic brought us, my family and I found ways to somehow survive. My father as a tricycle driver worked persistently so that he can provide for our needs. I may not be able to tell this to him personally, but I am very thankful to have him as my father because even though it is hard to earn money during these trying times, I can see that he is trying his best for us not to worry and for me to continue my studies.

What were the difficulties you experienced and how were you able to conquer them?

Lloyd: When the pandemic happened, I chose to stop studying for a while because I didn’t have enough equipment for online classes.

Jenny: When there was a shift to online classes I was really worried that I will not be able to continue my studies. I don’t have a suitable gadget, we have poor internet connection in our area, plus I cannot pay for my tuition fee due to the pandemic, I cannot render service to my assigned office so I thought that I could not receive any discounts to my tuition. I did not want to stop my education. Knowing that with God nothing is impossible, I still enrolled and did my best in my studies. Blessings came in unexpected ways, relatives and kind-hearted persons let me stay in their house, so I could have a suitable internet connection for my online class. The working student committee and CPU administration extended different help to us especially to those in need. I am also a beneficiary of CHED-TES and God’s Grace. Before the pandemic, I was able to apply to different grant-aids that the school private sponsors offer and I was blessed that I was qualified in the said programs. Now that I am really doing my best when it comes to my studies. I feel blessed to be a consistent Dean’s lister since my first year.

Maylen: There are a lot of difficulties that I encounter in this pandemic. Firstly, I wasn’t able to continue my studies in 2020 because my parents do not have jobs to sustain my school fees. Second, we do not have enough money to buy food because sometimes we just borrowing rice from our neighbor. Third, I am not able to find a part-time job because some of the department stores and other businesses do not hire new applicants. Because of this situation, I decided to work and stay for a pastor’s family in order to sustain the needs of my family and also to continue my studies while working.

Ezralene: To assist in my studies and to help my family, I worked as a CSR. I struggled every day keeping myself awake during my classes and working on my assignments since I have a duty from 9PM to 7AM. I remember a time where I cried in front of my mother telling her how restless I am, and she comforted me with her words. Also, I was bombarded with school activities which made me more exhausted mentally and physically. It is draining to study at home unlike during the face-to-face classes that I was able to share my feelings (e.g., frustrations, anxieties) with my classmates. Fortunately, I was able to cope with the academic stress amid the pandemic through the presence and help of my best friends. Being with them once in a while gives me rest and reminds me to take a breather. They serve as my outlet because I can freely share my struggles if I need to. Thanks to them for keeping me sane.

“What is your message to fellow work students?”

Lloyd: In this pandemic, most of us chose to stop studying first, but we still hope for brighter days to come. We are comforted with the hope that we may still continue pursuing our degrees despite our present circumstances. We must not give up, and encourage ourselves to think positive thoughts and pray always for He will still provide the things that we need.

Jenny: To my fellow working students, I know that we have different battles in life but we must always have faith that God will always provide. Let us be resourceful and “magtutum kag magtuon sang maayo”.

Maylen: To my fellow work students I just want to say that no matter how hard our work and responsibilities in life are, we should not give up. God is always there to help, guide, and provide all our needs. He will protect us from people who will put us down. We just need to surrender ourselves to God so that no matter how big or small problems we encounter in life we can handle them without fear and we will succeed. Trust yourselves and do not rely on other people because sometimes the people who are close to us are the ones who put us down.

Ezralene: To my fellow work students, isang mahigpit na yakap sa inyo! The pandemic continuous to severely affect us all. In spite of this, we also continue to survive and thrive. I salute all of you for trying your best to cope with the challenges that you are all facing. Also, I just want to remind you to take a breather from time to time. This pandemic is not easy to deal with, but I hope you will all continue to find your purpose and reach your dreams. Padayon—they say. May you all remember that in the midst of all the “padayons”, if you feel tired, do not also forget to have your “pahuway”.

Also on behalf of the CPU working students, I also want to take this opportunity to thank Ma’am Anne Gilongos for doing her very best to help up us to remain in the program and for making ways to help us who are struggling financially. We genuinely appreciate your efforts, Ma’am and we are always grateful!