3,933 scholars Recognized at USM 48th University Recognition Program
March 14, 2026
While many students worry about deadlines, exams, and late night reviews, one college student carries a heavier load—balancing school, work, and the daily weight of financial struggle.
At four in the morning, Ryan James O. Yan is already awake. He sweeps and cleans the boarding house where he stays. In return, he is allowed to live there for free.
When the work is done, he prepares for another long day of classes, responsibilities, and survival. Some days he walks to school because he cannot afford transportation. He saves the little money he has for food. There are mornings when he goes to class without eating.
Ryan, a Bachelor of Technical-Vocational Teacher Education (BTVTED) student majoring in Drafting, may seem like any college student pursuing a degree. But behind his quiet smile is a story of sacrifice few people see.
Ryan grew up with eleven siblings in the rural community of Magpet, Cotabato. Life was already hard. It became harder in 2017 when their family moved to Matalam. Around that time, their mother left. She gave no reason, no explanation, not even a goodbye. Until today, they have never heard from her again.
Their father raised the children alone. He relied on a small rubber farm passed down through the family. The income was uncertain and often not enough to feed everyone.
“Si Papa lang po talaga ang nag-support sa amin hanggang high school,” Ryan recalls.
But when college came, reality became heavier.
“Dumating po kasi sa point na narinig ko po sila Papa na parang nagde-decision sila na baka may ipastop muna sa amin. Ayaw ko po ng gano’n kasi either ako ang mag-sacrifice o yung mga kapatid ko.”
Ryan knew he had two choices: stop studying, like many before him, or find a way to continue.He chose the harder path.
In his second year in college, Ryan started working. One day, while helping his brother-in-law clean air conditioners, someone learned about his situation. The person offered him a job washing clothes. Ryan accepted without hesitation.
Since then, every Friday and Saturday, after a full week of classes and schoolwork, Ryan spends hours doing laundry. It is not easy work. But it keeps him in school. Now, he is already in his third year.
While others spend weekends resting or spending time with friends, Ryan works. He cleans, washes clothes, and stretches every peso he earns.
But the hardest battles are the ones no one sees.
There are nights when Ryan has nothing to eat. Instead of complaining, he lies down and sleeps, hoping rest will quiet the hunger.
There are also days when he has food, but someone needs it more. At times, he gives his portion to one of his siblings—another college student trying to survive.
“May mga pagkakataon po na ibinibigay ko na lang yung pagkain ko,” he shares quietly.
His program also requires a laptop capable of running drafting software. To keep up, Ryan bought one on monthly installments of ₱3,500—a huge sum compared to his earnings.
Many times, paying for it meant skipping meals.
“May mga time po na yung pagkain ko na yung nasasacrifice,” he says softly.
There were nights when hunger made it hard to sleep and days when headaches made it difficult to focus in class. Still, he kept moving forward.
“I don’t know how I survived those days,” he admits. “Siguro grace na lang po ni Lord.”
Despite these struggles, Ryan became an academic scholar. Through determination and perseverance, he proved that hardship cannot define a person’s potential.
Faith has become his anchor. His church community became a family that lifted him in his darkest days. Sometimes a pastor quietly gave him ₱50 or ₱100. Sometimes a boardmate invited him to share a meal.
Another blessing came when he received the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) Food Grant, which provides ₱50 food coupons daily.
“At least po may makakain ako sa school,” Ryan says. “Mas makakapag-focus po ako sa study.”
Today, Ryan continues to juggle work, school, and family responsibilities. Two of his sisters graduated, but now have families of their own. He now studies in USM together with one of his siblings.
“Gusto ko pong makatapos,” he says firmly. “Para makatulong din po sa pamilya ko.”
Through every hardship, Ryan clings to a verse that has carried him through his darkest nights:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
His dream after graduation is simple: to find a stable job related to his field and support his siblings who are still studying.
For students who are also struggling, he offers a message born from experience:
“Padayon lang po. Lahat ng problema may katapusan din. Stage lang po ito ng buhay.”
And perhaps the most remarkable thing about Ryan’s story is not the pain he endured, but the gratitude he still carries. Even for his mother who left.
“Gusto ko pa rin po siyang pasalamatan,” he says softly. “Kung wala siya, hindi ko po malalaman na may mga taong magmamahal sa amin kahit hindi naming kadugo.”
Ryan James may spend his weekends doing laundry and his nights studying under exhaustion, but his story is not one of hardship alone. Despite the struggles he faces each day, he still made it to the list of academic awardees for the first semester.
His story shows that the future may be uncertain, but when a person keeps showing up and stays patient, breakthroughs and miracles find their way.
