Kabilang si Maria Clarizza Masangkay, 22, ng Cavite sa first batch ng mga estudyanteng sumailalim sa K-12 o senior high school program na nag-graduate sa kolehiyo ngayong taon.
Nagtapos siya noong July 7, 2022 bilang magna cum laude sa kursong Bachelor of Science in Psychology sa Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Cavite campus.
Bagaman at nagkamit ng mataas na karangalan, hindi naging madali para kay Clarizza ang buhay-kolehiyo.
Pagbabahagi niya sa panayam ng Philippine News Agency noong June 13, sobra siyang nahirapan nang sa halip na face-to-face class ay biglang naging online ang kanilang klase nang magkaroon ng pandemya.
“During that time, we were not a subscriber of any Internet provider, and I only had my phone as a tool for attending classes.
“Computer shops were unable to operate because of the sudden surge in COVID-19 cases.
“There are times that I would cry in frustration as my phone shuts down due to overheating as a lot of apps were operating while the data was on during class discussions.”
Dahil dito, nagdesisyon siyang humanap ng part-time job para makapagpakabit ng internet connection.
Hindi rin kasi kakayanin ng kita ng kanyang parents ang dagdag na gastos.
“Si Mama kasi, barangay worker po. PHP2,000 a month ang sahod.
“Si Papa naman, on-call na factory worker kaya di po sapat.”
Mayroon siyang nakatatandang kapatid na babae na tumutulong din sa mga gastusin nila sa bahay.
Natanggap siya bilang online teacher sa English as a Second Language (ESL), at ang kanyang shift ay mula 6 p.m. hanggang 11 p.m.
Kumikita siya ng PHP8,000 kada buwan.
“Bale yung sahod ko po, napupunta sa Internet bills and pandagdag sa groceries. Nagtitira lang ako lagi ng PHP2,000 para sa sarili ko.”
Aminado si Clarizza na mabigat ang academic demands ng pagiging scholar, at sa stress na nakukuha niya sa kanyang part-time job, may mga pagkakataong gusto na niyang mag-give up.
Pero may tatlong babae sa buhay niya na naging inspirasyon niya para siya maging matatag.
“First, my Lola Glo for always providing for my needs. For still working in a pabrika day and night despite her old age just to supply each of her apo’s necessities.
“My Ate Mary for cheering me up when I’m about to break down and lose it all. For all of the comfort food, motivational rewards, and all the ‘Kaya mo iyan’ whenever I thought I couldn’t. These gestures really fueled me up to this success.
“My Mama Marriane, for being there with me since day one. For being my number one supporter. For being my backbone.
“I never once saw her being disappointed in me. Even at times, I felt like a failure for not meeting my set goals.
"Her kind words, ‘Okey lang iyan, Bawi ka na lang’ always saved me and magically made everything better.”
At dahil doon, nagtapos siya with flying colors, at mas pinatatag ng "fair share of hardships and success.”
Sa ngayon ay plano ni Clarizza na ipraktis ang kanyang propesyon at maging bahagi ng anumang mental health program and services
Makikiisa rin siya sa mga advocacy para mawala ang stigma at panghuhusga sa mga taong may mental disorder.
“Being a mental health advocate, I am planning to show my love and service to my country through making the mental health services much more attainable and accessible.”