MANILA, Philippines – Iah Bantang Seraspi went viral after ranking 2nd in the September 2015 Licensure Exam for Teachers (LET), not because of the high rating she received but due to the fact that she’s the daughter of a fisherman who could barely send her to school.
A lot of netizens were simply amazed that poverty did not hinder the then-21-year-old Seraspi from ranking 2nd in the board exam.
READ: Poverty didn’t hinder this fisherman’s daughter from ranking 2nd on teacher’s board exam
Seraspi touched a lot of people with her inspiring story and determination to do well in the board exams despite the difficulties her family had to go through.
And many were greatly impressed that instead of using the money for things she hadn’t been able to buy in the past, this young lady actually used the prize money she received to buy a projector for her church!
Fast forward to many years later, as Seraspi shares her 25th birthday, the young woman shared photos of her new house. It’s certainly a huge improvement from the nipa hut that she and her family used to live in.
And though she topped in the licensure exam for teachers, Seraspi shared that she did not work as teacher at a regular school just like everyone expected. Instead, she worked with Carl E. Balita Review Center (CBRC) which she credits for being instrumental in helping her succeed in the board exams.
SEE ALSO: 10 tips to pass teacher board exam from LET topnotcher
Seraspi shared in a new post:
“Mahirap maging mahirap pero mas mahirap ang taong walang pangarap.
It all started with a dream. As of the moment, I still can’t believe na nasa harapan ko na ngayon yung matinong bahay na pinangarap namin ng ilang taon. This was the exact location of our old house which went viral and changed our lives 180 degrees. This blessing in front of me reminds me of God’s promise when I was still dreaming: No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.
Seraspi further explained that there were people who thought of her as ‘selfish’ for choosing to work at CBRC instead of teaching in public school, but she has no regrets with her choice.
“Topping the board examination opened so much doors for me. But I chose to open one door which led me to my dreams. Choosing to stay and work in CBRC may sound selfish for some but I have no regrets: I chose to be practical, I chose to dream bigger, I chose to achieve greater heights. After all, it’s not only my dream at stake. It’s my family’s dream too.
My work in CBRC demanded a part of my life which I willingly gave. Life here has been so good to me but it was never and will never be easy. I may have enjoyed the luxuries of life but I have a little luxury of time to cherish those moments because I chose not to rest even if we were given the privilege to rest. We were given prerogatives to choose our schedule but I chose to work as long as my body can. For my entire three years in CBRC, I’ve been choosing the hard choices because I’m a strong believer that everything will be worth it in the end.
Seeing this home in front of me reminded me of all the hardships I’ve been through. Walang kapagurang byahe, walang maayos at kumpletong tulog, walang boses at masakit na lalamunan, walang kasiguraduhan kung makakarating ng ligtas sa pupuntahan, walang kasalo kumain at walang kasama matulog, walang oras para magbreakdown kapag nalulungkot at madami pang hirap na di ko na rin maalala kasi pinalampas ko na lang dahil ginusto ko to.
Pinili ko to. Nothing feels more fulfilling than the thought that while I am helping others to achieve their dreams, I am also achieving my personal dreams.”
Congratulations, Ma’am Iah Seraspi!
— Joy Adalia, The Summit Express
A lot of netizens were simply amazed that poverty did not hinder the then-21-year-old Seraspi from ranking 2nd in the board exam.
READ: Poverty didn’t hinder this fisherman’s daughter from ranking 2nd on teacher’s board exam
 |
| Photo credit: Iah Bantang Seraspi / Facebook |
Seraspi touched a lot of people with her inspiring story and determination to do well in the board exams despite the difficulties her family had to go through.
And many were greatly impressed that instead of using the money for things she hadn’t been able to buy in the past, this young lady actually used the prize money she received to buy a projector for her church!
 |
| Photo credit: Iah Bantang Seraspi / Facebook |
Fast forward to many years later, as Seraspi shares her 25th birthday, the young woman shared photos of her new house. It’s certainly a huge improvement from the nipa hut that she and her family used to live in.
 |
| Photo credit: Iah Bantang Seraspi / Facebook |
And though she topped in the licensure exam for teachers, Seraspi shared that she did not work as teacher at a regular school just like everyone expected. Instead, she worked with Carl E. Balita Review Center (CBRC) which she credits for being instrumental in helping her succeed in the board exams.
SEE ALSO: 10 tips to pass teacher board exam from LET topnotcher
Seraspi shared in a new post:
“Mahirap maging mahirap pero mas mahirap ang taong walang pangarap.
It all started with a dream. As of the moment, I still can’t believe na nasa harapan ko na ngayon yung matinong bahay na pinangarap namin ng ilang taon. This was the exact location of our old house which went viral and changed our lives 180 degrees. This blessing in front of me reminds me of God’s promise when I was still dreaming: No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.
 |
| Photo credit: Iah Bantang Seraspi / Facebook |
Seraspi further explained that there were people who thought of her as ‘selfish’ for choosing to work at CBRC instead of teaching in public school, but she has no regrets with her choice.
 |
| Photo credit: Iah Bantang Seraspi / Facebook |
“Topping the board examination opened so much doors for me. But I chose to open one door which led me to my dreams. Choosing to stay and work in CBRC may sound selfish for some but I have no regrets: I chose to be practical, I chose to dream bigger, I chose to achieve greater heights. After all, it’s not only my dream at stake. It’s my family’s dream too.
My work in CBRC demanded a part of my life which I willingly gave. Life here has been so good to me but it was never and will never be easy. I may have enjoyed the luxuries of life but I have a little luxury of time to cherish those moments because I chose not to rest even if we were given the privilege to rest. We were given prerogatives to choose our schedule but I chose to work as long as my body can. For my entire three years in CBRC, I’ve been choosing the hard choices because I’m a strong believer that everything will be worth it in the end.
Seeing this home in front of me reminded me of all the hardships I’ve been through. Walang kapagurang byahe, walang maayos at kumpletong tulog, walang boses at masakit na lalamunan, walang kasiguraduhan kung makakarating ng ligtas sa pupuntahan, walang kasalo kumain at walang kasama matulog, walang oras para magbreakdown kapag nalulungkot at madami pang hirap na di ko na rin maalala kasi pinalampas ko na lang dahil ginusto ko to.
Pinili ko to. Nothing feels more fulfilling than the thought that while I am helping others to achieve their dreams, I am also achieving my personal dreams.”
 |
| Photo credit: Iah Bantang Seraspi / Facebook |
Congratulations, Ma’am Iah Seraspi!
— Joy Adalia, The Summit Express
