From Hardship to Success: Ms. Elenterio Inspires Undergraduate Awardees
Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U) Leon Campus celebrated the academic triumphs of its students during the Recognition Program for the second semester of the Academic Year 2025-2026. The event was attended by key university officials, including OIC Campus Administrator Dr. Eric James P. Talagon, alongside the dedicated faculty, staff, proud parents, and the brilliant awardees of the institution.
The highlight of the program was an inspirational address by an alumna of the campus, Ms. Chesa A. Elenterio, who once served as Administrative Assistant l- Department of Agriculture – Philippine Carabao Center at West Visayas State University and as Administrative Officer ll/OASV Livestock Coordinator, Department of Agriculture – Office of the Assistant Secretary for the Visayas. Reflecting on her return to her alma mater, the speaker admitted that standing on the covered court stage felt like a homecoming.
She noted that being here did not feel like a formal speaking engagement, but rather like coming home, as she once stood on the same ground as a student waiting to submit requirements and experiencing the joy of finally finishing. Her journey to success, however, was far from a straight path. She vividly recalled the financial hardships her family faced after her high school graduation, noting that she did not go to college right away due to financial struggles and chose to wait for her siblings to finish school before pursuing her studies.
During her gap year, she worked as a bagger and saleslady at Iloilo Supermart to help her family. Her path later took her to Western Mindanao State University in Zamboanga City for a working student opportunity, and before unforeseen circumstances brought her back to Iloilo, she then enrolled at ISAT-U Leon Campus.
Despite initial anxieties about being an older transferee, she found a supportive environment at the campus, eventually graduating and passing the Agriculturist Licensure Examination on her second attempt—an achievement she credited to the rigorous training she received under the guidance of her instructors.
Driven to advance her career, she later pursued a Master of Science in Animal Science, specializing in Dairy Production at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), Laguna, Philippines, under a DOST Scholarship, completing the degree in three years. She candidly shared the intense mental and emotional toll of her graduate studies, revealing that she faced a severe breakdown and even questioned whether she could finish her Master’s degree. However, she chose to stay, urging students to believe in their promises and goals because while it is okay to cry, one must never stay crying.
Aligning her message with the event’s theme, the speaker challenged the audience to rethink traditional definitions of success. She emphasized that true excellence is a lifelong journey of learning, curiosity, and adaptability rather than just memorizing facts for an exam.
Furthermore, she defined equity as a system of fairness that recognizes individual needs, ensuring everyone—regardless of background—to have access to the same opportunities, while empowerment means turning knowledge into action to uplift and advocate for others.
She reminded the awardees that their success was not achieved alone and urged them to never forget the communities and people who supported them. Closing her address, she encouraged the students to embrace hardships as they transitioned to the professional world, lauded the parents as the backbone behind these academic milestones, and expressed deep gratitude to the faculty and administration for providing a nurturing environment for students who simply need an opportunity to prove their worth. The recognition program concluded with the presentation of academic excellence awards, Dean’s List certificates, and specialized awards across various year levels.
Written by: The Green Thumb Publication
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