From maid to made — this is a bit late for international women’s day, but we could all use an inspiring story about a woman who made it.
A former maid in Cebu joined the graduation of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Salaknib Class of 2017. Meriam Libongcogon, 25, ditched her broom, and now has the rank of junior commissioned officer, as an ensign in the Philippine Navy.
Libongcogon started working as a household help at the age of 16 to help her family with their financial needs. She has been helping her family make ends meet since she was 6-years old.
“We often had no food to eat. But sometimes we ate sweet potatoes or bananas. Whatever was available,” Libocongon recalled in a report by ABS-CBN News.
There was a time when Libocongon sold wood and coconuts shells for PHP20. She finished her high school as a full scholar when she was 15, but she did not finish her degree in computer engineering because she was juggling work and school.
According to Sunstar.com.ph, Libocongon “learned about the PMA when she worked as a housemaid to the family of Rosita Villareal, whose son was an instructor in the academy in Baguio City.”
On Apr 1, 2013, she became a cadet in the academy. There was no looking back from there.
“Resigning from the PMA never crossed my mind, because I was used to hardship. I also prayed to God for help,” Libocongon said.
She plans to build a house for her parents someday.
