MANILA, Philippines – At 39 years old, Erwin Macua stood out from the rest of the graduates at Saint Theresa’s College (STC) in Cebu City last March 2017 – but he is popular among the students, not just because he’s a ‘kuya’ they can always count on but also because he works as security guard in that school! Soon, he would become a full-fledged teacher at the school he served as guard for nearly 20 years!
Macua manned the gates of STC all those years, and has gained the trust of many parents as he made sure the students are secured inside the facility.
But though he works full-time as guard to support his wife and three children, he also decided to take his career many steps up by enrolling in Bachelor of Elementary Education at the school.
His life wasn’t easy, especially when he isn’t able to get enough sleep as he juggled his work, his studies, and raising his family but he took everything one step at a time. Against all odds, not only did he graduate from the course last year but did so with flying colors, earning the degree with a ‘cum laude’ to his name.
Months later, STC’s cheerful Kuya Guard would further upgrade himself after passing the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET). As a licensed teacher, Macua had more options now for a job but he accepted the offer from the school he has long considered to be his second home.
While this was certainly good news for Macua and his family, he also knew this was going to a challenge, considering that many parents and students knew him as the school’s guard. He feels a bit apprehensive that they might question his capabilities as teacher, knowing he had ‘only’ been a security guard all these years.
But Macua hopes to continue improving himself. He’s attending seminars and trainings to enhance his capabilities.
The school administrators are also very supportive of the ‘Kuya Guard’.
“They told me that they would help me every step of the way, especially because it’s already the age of computers so I’m slowly learning how to use it and the internet, like in making Power Point presentations,” Macua shared.
The security-guard-turned-teacher hopes that his story will inspire others to strive hard to live their dreams, knowing that someone like him was able to achieve something as wonderful as this.
Congratulations, Sir Erwin Macua!
— Danielle Ramos, The Summit Express
Macua manned the gates of STC all those years, and has gained the trust of many parents as he made sure the students are secured inside the facility.
 |
| Photo credit: Lito Tecson / Cebu Daily News |
But though he works full-time as guard to support his wife and three children, he also decided to take his career many steps up by enrolling in Bachelor of Elementary Education at the school.
His life wasn’t easy, especially when he isn’t able to get enough sleep as he juggled his work, his studies, and raising his family but he took everything one step at a time. Against all odds, not only did he graduate from the course last year but did so with flying colors, earning the degree with a ‘cum laude’ to his name.
Months later, STC’s cheerful Kuya Guard would further upgrade himself after passing the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET). As a licensed teacher, Macua had more options now for a job but he accepted the offer from the school he has long considered to be his second home.
While this was certainly good news for Macua and his family, he also knew this was going to a challenge, considering that many parents and students knew him as the school’s guard. He feels a bit apprehensive that they might question his capabilities as teacher, knowing he had ‘only’ been a security guard all these years.
 |
| Photo credit: Sun Star Cebu |
But Macua hopes to continue improving himself. He’s attending seminars and trainings to enhance his capabilities.
The school administrators are also very supportive of the ‘Kuya Guard’.
“They told me that they would help me every step of the way, especially because it’s already the age of computers so I’m slowly learning how to use it and the internet, like in making Power Point presentations,” Macua shared.
The security-guard-turned-teacher hopes that his story will inspire others to strive hard to live their dreams, knowing that someone like him was able to achieve something as wonderful as this.
 |
| Photo credit: Lito Tecson / Cebu Daily News |
Congratulations, Sir Erwin Macua!
— Danielle Ramos, The Summit Express
