By Journal Online

Copyright journal

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is designed to keep children in school, in high hopes that education will propel their small dreams beyond the weight of poverty.

Jeanlyn Colipano knows this better more than anyone else. Against all odds, she persevered in her studies, gathering strength from her family and the helping hands that came her way, until she rose all the way to the top of the 2025 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET).

While Jeanlyn’s talent and potential had long hinted at this massive success, the journey was not without hardship. Her story was filled with ‘buts’ and ‘what-ifs’ had she and her family given in to the hard times.

Jeanlyn was only 11 when life threw the biggest curveball at her family. In 2012, her father, Ruel, a security guard, died suddenly. His passing left a void too deep for words and a household teetering on the edge of survival.

“Nagising yung mama ko kasi parang humihilik siya ng malakas. So, inaatake na pala siya sa puso. So, ganun kabiglaan,” Jeanlyn said in an interview with the team #Kwento ng Pag-asa at Pagbabago (KPAP), a DSWD online documentary featuring success stories of Filipinos who were helped by DSWD’s various programs and services.

Jeanlyn’s mother, Jen Colipano, was left to raise three children by herself. The single mother scraped together what she could with her triple job as store attendant, snack vendor, and factory worker.

That is why when the family was enlisted in the 4Ps program in the same year Jeanlyn’s father died, Jen was more than happy. It was as if a big weight was lifted from her shoulder.

“Malaking tulong po. Yung nakakatanggap kami ng assistance, nakakabili kami ng bigas, masarap na ulam, tapos pambili rin ng mga damit nila sa iskwelahan,” Jen shared.

For Jeanlyn, those grants were beyond financial relief. They were a source of strength for her dreams that were worth fighting for. Her mother also found a ‘partner’ in providing for her children’s needs in the form of government aid.

From elementary through college, Jeanlyn shone as the student who refused to bow down to hardship. She was a consistent honor student who would always dedicate even the smallest achievement to her ever-loving mother.

“My very first motivation was iahon yung mama ko sa kahirapan na naging naranasan namin. Kasi I had this great success because she did all the grand work behind. So, gusto ko na siya naman yung makaranas ng buhay na hindi mahirap. ‘Yun ‘yung motivation ko to really do good in school and do good in life,” Jeanlyn narrated.

Determined to ease her mother’s woes as she enters college, Jeanlyn tried her luck and applied for a scholarship from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Eventually, another news worthy of celebration emerged as she passed the examination and qualified for the scholarship.

From then, Jeanlyn got herself enrolled at the Cebu Technological University (CTU) – Danao Campus to pursue a Bachelor of Secondary Education majoring in General Science, while juggling the demands of the government scholarship.

In June 2024, Jeanlyn graduated cum laude. Nine months later, she was stunned when she clinched the highest score in the 2025 LET, topping more than 50,000 examinees with a rating of 93.80 percent.

For Jeanlyn, her family and the people who have seen how she worked very hard, every medal and certificate she earned is proof that no sacrifice was in vain – so was the every centavo of the 4Ps grants she received.

“Thank you so much, 4Ps and DSWD. Of course, our government for having programs like 4Ps na can really make a difference in people’s lives. ‘Yung kumbaga, naging stepping stone siya sa akin na mapursue yung college dream ko and hindi lang ako pati yung other kids na naging beneficiary rin ng 4Ps. So, I’m very thankful na na-achieve ko to with the help of the government,” Jeanlyn said, professing her gratitude to the people and institutions who propelled her success.

While preparing to teach in a public school, Jeanlyn dreams of giving back to the government and community that reached out to her and her mother in the most difficult moment in their lives.

From a grieving Grade 5 pupil to the country’s top teacher board passer, Jeanlyn Colipano carries her mother’s sacrifices, the power of education, and the ripple effect of a community that refused to let her dreams die.

Jeanlyn herself stands firm that poverty is no hindrance to one’s success — more so when government support such as the 4Ps is met with beneficiaries’ unyielding resolve to rise above poverty.

Over the years, her story shows that one’s starting point does not have to be the destination, a belief Jeanlyn wants to find in the hearts of other people who came from similar backgrounds.

“Have the mindset that your situation right now doesn’t define your potential or your future. Your will, determination to succeed through your hard work will come a long way. Build connection and relationship through compassion and have the humility to ask for help ‘pag di mo kaya,” Jeanlyn said as a parting shot for those who are still at the starting line.

The #KPAP, the DSWD’s award winning online documentary, is a joint production of the Traditional Media Service (TMS) and the Digital Media Service (DMS) which are under the Strategic Communications. It is hosted by TMS Information Officer Bianca Piedad-Tamondong and is posted every Tuesday on the DSWD’s official Facebook page. (LSJ)