From 4Ps to the bar: two former beneficiaries become lawyers

Two former beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) are set to take their oath as lawyers, underscoring how sustained government support, perseverance, and faith can help transform lives.

Golda Meir Piñon, once a monitored child under 4Ps, and Lea Leonen Rivera, who grew up in a 4Ps beneficiary household, both passed the bar examinations and will soon formally join the legal profession.

For both women, the journey to becoming lawyers was marked by years of sacrifice, financial hardship, and personal struggle, balanced by the belief that education could change the course of their lives.

“Feeling overly blessed po na maipasa ang bar examinations. Nagbunga rin ang lahat na paghihirap sa pag-aaral at pati na rin ang suporta ng aking magulang at mga kamag-anak na sumuporta sa akin. Alam kong simula pa lang ng mga mas mabibigat pang hamon na darating pero salamat sa Diyos kasi nakausad na ako,” Golda Meir said.

Piñon described the 4Ps as a lifeline that allowed her family to stay afloat and helped her focus on her studies, noting that the assistance went beyond school needs and helped cover basic household expenses.

“Malaki ang naging tulong ng 4Ps sa amin, walang halong biro. Bukod sa pagtitinda ng mama ko ay nakadagdag ang ibinibigay ng gobyerno para punan ang mga pangangailangan namin. Hanggang sa nakarating ako ng college at napabilang sa ESGP-PA (Expanded Students Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation) na program ng DSWD [at iba pang ahensya ng gobyerno]. Sobrang laking tulong ng financial support na binibigay sa akin," Golda Meir said.

She recalled remaining diligent in her studies despite poverty, often reviewing her notes while tending to household chores.

“Kahit na wala akong baon noon sa pagpasok, sinisipagan ko pa ring pumasok sa klase at hindi ako lumiliban unless ay maospital ako. Naaalala ko pa nga na kumpleto ang notes ko noon at doon pa ako sa ‘dalikan’ nagrereview habang binabantayan ang sinaing. At kahit naging constant ang kahirapan namin mula pagkabata, madasalin talaga ako,” Golda Meir shared.

During her month-long bar review leave, Piñon said daily prayer remained a non-negotiable part of her routine. She emphasized humility as essential even after achieving one’s dreams.

Lea Leonen Rivera’s path was equally demanding. A breadwinner and the eldest among three siblings, she balanced law school with work as a public school teacher and later as a call center agent.

"Bilang hindi po ako galing sa marangyang pamilya, sinikap ko pong mag-aral ng law school habang nagtuturo sa public secondary school. Breadwinner din po kasi ako, bilang panganay sa tatlong magkakapatid. Sixty-four years old na ang mama ko at solo parent siya mula pa nung 4 years old ako,” Lea Leonen narrated.

She described the emotional weight of finally passing the bar.

“Sobrang saya ko noong nalaman kong pumasa ako. Parang naalala ko lahat ng paghihirap at pagod ko noong nag-aaral ako hanggang sa review. Sobra ang pasasalamat ko sa Panginoon at ipinagkaloob niya ito sa akin,” she said.

Rivera credited the 4Ps and related assistance for enabling her family to support her legal education despite limited means.

“Isa akong call center agent noong pumasok ako ng law school hanggang sa nagtapos ako. Doble ang hirap. Halos hindi na ako natutulog. Kung meron man, tatlo hanggang apat na oras lang. Ang aking Saturday class ang pinakamahirap sa lahat dahil graveyard shift ako ng Biyernes. Wala talaga akong tulog na pumapasok. Pero nilaban ko nalang talaga at pinasa Diyos ang lahat,” Lea Leonen explained.

She urged young Filipinos, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to maximize available government support and persevere.

“Sana ay marami pa kayong kabataan na matulungan upang makamit ang mga pangarap nila. Sa mga kabataan, lalo na sa mga nagmula sa mahirap na pamilya, samantalahin po natin ang tulong ng ating gobyerno at gamitin ito para maabot ang ating mga pangarap. Always remember, we can do more with less. There will be times that it will become tiring, on the verge of giving up, but endure it a little more and you’ll be fine. Always pray,” she said.

The stories of Piñon and Rivera—soon to be Attorneys Piñon and Rivera—highlight how poverty does not define potential. With government support, hard work, and faith, they said, Filipinos can achieve goals once thought out of reach.

The 4Ps is the national poverty reduction and human capital investment program of the Philippine government, led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. It provides cash grants to eligible households, subject to compliance with health, nutrition, and education conditions.