The afternoon sun glazes the campus in a golden beam. Light meets the leaves of the trees, making them gleam in a bright, yellowy green. It’s one o’clock — an hour after lunch. For students with half-day schedules, it’s the perfect time to catch up on some lecture readings — or perhaps not. A tranquil afternoon would be perfect for taking a relaxing stroll, recharging with a spontaneous laag, or maybe even resetting with a siesta. However, for Viscan Juvelyn Escuadra, this kind of afternoon does not bring the luxury of free time and power naps.
By 1:00 P.M., Juvy is off to work after classes that started at 8:30 in the morning. They were purposefully chosen instead of 7 A.M. sessions to steal a bit more sleep and recover from yesterday’s grind. Her routine? Home, school, work. And on days off? Laundry, as always. Many students dream in bed. Juvy dreams in class, at work — wide awake.
This is Juvy
Miss Juvelyn Billona Escuadra earns the Endeavor Award during this year’s Pasidungog 2025. All the trials and challenges she hurdled through have led to this moment: a plaque in her hands, honoring years of perseverance. It was held before a crowd of hopefuls that are each about to start writing the first few sentences of their next chapter. Serving as a testament to her achievement, it shows that it is possible to seek opportunity in difficulty, and excellence despite constraints. Her story is one of grit, hustle, and hard-won triumph that refuses to be ignored, and it began long before most even knew where to start.
A 14-year old Juvy had to learn how to stand on her own feet. But before finding her footing, life moved with simple ease. Her routine back then? School, play, and sleep. Her world revolved only on a constant, which was her family’s love, care, and guidance. Ever since childhood, excellence was something that was etched in her. This showed early on as she finished as the class valedictorian during her elementary graduation.
Seepage Through a Leaky Roof
The very same excellence that made her an achiever back then is also the one that led her to the Pasidungog 2025 stage. But getting there was far from a simple hop, skip, and a jump. The pillars of what was once a simple and comfortable life began to crack when a gambling addiction seeped into the household, like rain entering a leaky roof. Her mother started to get involved in gambling. Soon enough, it was then her father who had been caught in the same snare. Drinking has become a response to anger and frustration. Things got worse over time. When the first drops from a leaky roof are ignored, it’s only a matter of time before the house gets drenched, and eventually, flooded. The snares of addiction have led their family’s small business into bankruptcy. This was when Juvy began to get swamped.
She went on to pursue high school but had to come to a halt after four months. Their family had to uproot and move to Poblacion Baybay at that time. Despite the short time Juvy has spent in school, she has already shown her potential and capabilities. Her adviser did not want her to stop school as she was already being sharpened to excel in competitions. They probably saw the flicker inside of Juvy at that time — the flicker which is now a blazing flame of triumph. Helping hands reached out. Her teacher tried to find a way for Juvy to continue her studies in Makinhas. But what she truly needed was her parents’ support, and at that time, she couldn’t find it. Their home became flooded, not by rain, but by addictions and the illusion of gain through gamble which had seeped into their household. Money was gone. And then, they decided it was time for Juvy to stop. “They decided na mosolod nalang ko og work kay graduate na bitaw daw ko ang importante daw kamao ko mobasa og mosuwat,” she said.
But Juvy knew her dreams did not stop at knowing how to read and write — not when she had the grit and the audacity to dare.
Part-time Worker, Full Time Dreamer
The pause on Juvy’s high school education lasted for two years. To help her family, she started working. The very first job she landed was at a bakery where she worked for around three to four months. It was the first step into what would become twelve years of tireless effort and quiet endurance. With the will to continue her high school education, Juvy continued to work in a carinderia after a few months at the bakery. For one and a half years, she would set aside some of her earnings for her to jump back into her studies. “Being a tindera is not that easy so if og dili ko mo eskwela ing ani rako permi,” Juvy shared. “Tungod sa akong ambition og goals mao toy nag urge nako na mo eskwela jud ko,” she added. And so she did. Juvy retrieved her school credentials, bought her own uniform and supplies, and enrolled in high school two years later.
Her “home, school, work” routine began here, not in college. Long before her 1 P.M. work schedules in uni, she had to rush from the classroom to her work back when she was in high school. For many students, 5 P.M. onwards is a time to get homework done, sit at the dinner table with family, and freshen up after a draining day. But for high-school Juvy, it was the time for her to make a living. Even weekends and holidays were reserved for work. This was so she could support herself and still help her family.
Despite the challenge of having to balance academics with making a living, the excellence etched into the very being of Juvy could not hide itself. As a consistent honor student throughout high school, she practiced strict time management. She shared that she strived to finish schoolwork early, took naps during breaks to stay energized, and made to-do lists to stay on track.
Small Businesses for Sustenance
Aside from working part time, Juvy had a knack for being a resourceful entrepreneur. It all started in the 7th grade. She was given ₱200 by the teacher for their Christmas party fundraiser. It was her responsibility to take what she was given and lead her classmates for them to earn profit — and they did. Similarly in the 8th grade, she also initiated a business for a group activity which also brought her some profit. By the 9th and 10th grade, she was selling snacks in class, partnering with a classmate for capital. For many students, a canteen in the classroom is basically the academic equivalent of having a 7-Eleven in your living room. It’s convenient, and it buys time during recess rush, or during days when you don’t feel like going on a brief trip to the actual canteen. When Juvy brought her snack-selling business to the class, she helped classmates borrow money or snacks when they had none. She would operate a small snack loan system, paid every Monday. And she did all of this while still working part-time at the carinderia.
Eventually, Juvy’s hard work would lead her to finish junior high school strong. She went on to pursue senior high school where she became a working student under a teacher for 3-4 months to support her studies. After that period, she returned to her carinderia job and continued snack selling. This went on as she remained a consistent honor student until graduation.
College: The Final Lap
Juvy took the VSU entrance exam back in 2018, subsequent to her high school graduation, and was able to receive a slot under the Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management program. Unfortunately, what seemed like a deja vu of her having to stop her studies during high school made itself into a reality once again. Helping her parents became a priority, even if it meant that she would not have any savings left for college. Juvy had to put off her dreams for a little more. She continued her job at the carinderia to save money. A year later, what felt like a delay revealed itself as redirection. She once again took the VSU entrance exam and secured a slot for the Bachelor of Secondary Education, Major in Science program. This was it — the final lap, which was college.
Home, university, work. Repeat. Juvy continued uni life with her usual pace, her regular routine. But once again, things did not go as hoped. In 2023, Juvy’s father was hospitalized for a month due to high blood pressure and a brain blood clot. As a girl who loved her papa so dearly, Juvy felt she had only one choice at that moment — putting her dreams on halt. Again. For the fourth time. She filed a leave of absence, dropping all her enrolled subjects to focus on caregiving. Juvy decided to fully stop schooling for a year. She needed ₱300 daily for essential medicine and had spent all her savings on three CT (Computed tomography) scans, medication, and the survival needs of the patient. On top of this, she had water and electricity bills to pay, as well as food expenses.
As a papa’s girl, it was painful for her, but she had accepted the reality and used it as a motivation to strive harder. As the eldest child, she took on all the responsibilities, with her younger sibling, still in high school, helping her from time to time. Her daily routine was now far different from what it was before. She rose with the sun, brought warm food to the hospital, and stayed by her father’s side to give her mother rest after a night spent watching over him. Juvy went to Ormoc alone to look for blood donors, walked through paperwork, washed the clothes used in the hospital, all while finding ways to raise and budget money for all the needs. Fortunately, every peso and sacrifice has led her father through the health challenge he faced. Although he is now a person with disability, Juvy’s father is still able to walk, talk, and stay by her side to watch her accomplish her dreams. After a year of pausing her studies, Juvy chased her dreams once again. She was now stronger than ever, just a short distance away from the finish line — the finish line that was the Pasidungog 2025.
Her Win, Her Words
After years of hurdling through trials and challenges, she has arrived at this moment — and she did not just finish, she finished strong. Despite bearing responsibility on one shoulder and ambition on the other, she was able to clinch high scholastic records. Time management, strong determination, optimism, and learning how to budget: this was her secret formula, and she is sharing it with students who dare to aspire.
Juvy also shares a message to breadwinners and working students. “To those [who are] breadwinners and working student[s], I salute you all for your dedication… someday it [will] be paid off, then worth it kaayo.” She reminds everyone to set realistic goals to achieve what you have been working hard for in the first place.
Furthermore, she added: “As we navigate our complexity in life, have faith in God and just believe in yourself that in your own strength[,] you can [achieve] your goals.” Juvy encourages us to remain optimistic and embrace both good and bad experiences, since life itself is full of ups and downs. Most importantly, she also shares the importance of self care. “Nila pa, lawas ato puhonan[.] [So] we should take care [of] ourselves,” she said. Amidst responsibilities, work, and study, one must ensure that they also rest. She encourages everyone to eat well and engage in activities that are good for the mental and physical health,
Rising Through Storms
“To my younger self: Your hardwork, sacrifices and resilience were not in vain. Every [challenge] you faced built the strength that carried you forward. Trust that your efforts will lead to success. Keep believing in yourself because you are capable of more than you imagined.”
To my future self: Never forget the determination that brought you here. Stay grounded in humility, continue uplifting others, and prioritize your well-being. Your journey is a testament of perseverance. Keep striving with purpose and grace.”
“Rising Through Storms.” To Juvy, these three words encapsulate her entire journey so far. She has come a long way. From a 14-year old that had to quickly learn how to find her own footing, to an official degree holder, her story serves as an inspiration for many of us. When storms rage and floodwaters rise, it may feel like you are drowning with no way out. But swim, float, paddle — rise by any means that keeps your dignity intact.
When the afternoon sun draped the campus in a golden beam at 1 P.M., Miss Juvelyn Escuadra, this year’s Endeavor Awardee, was off to work. Although a tranquil afternoon would have been perfect for taking a stroll, recharging with laag, or taking a nap, it was for her to work part time. But make no mistake, she may have been a part-time worker, but she was always a full time dreamer. She dreamt in class, at work, all throughout the day — eyes wide open.