21/10/2025
๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ฌ: ๐ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐๐ง๐ญโ๐ฌ ๐ฃ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐๐ฒ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฎ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐
๐ฅ๐จ๐จ๐ซ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐ ๐ง๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฆ ๐๐๐ฎ๐๐
In a moment filled with pride and emotion on August 12, 25-year-old Kenneth Calma, a production employee at the Mekeni Food Corp, graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the Pampanga State University. But behind the medal and the applause is a story of grit, sacrifice, and unwavering love for family.
For Kenneth, earning a college diploma was not just a personal dream โ but the dream of his entire family. Born and raised in Balubad, Porac, he is the son of Rosito and Reyna Calma, a Barangay Tanod and a devoted housewife. Growing up in a household with eight siblings, life was never easy. But it was always filled with hope.
Kennethโs siblings worked tirelessly to support the family. Linuel and Genesis served as house boys for Mekeni Executive Officers Lito and Adrian Garcia. Merwin worked in the warehouse while Jennica and Jivon joined the packaging crew. His brother Rosito, with the help of the Garcia family, graduated with a degree in Accountancy from the Holy Angel University and became the familyโs breadwinner, until illness struck. While his twin brother, Kevin, was not able to finish his studies.
At a young age, Kenneth knew the card he was dealt was not easy. Yet, he never let that stop him. While in Grade 12, he began working as an on-call worker for Mekeni, doing everything from sweeping warehouse floors to carrying goods and cleaning homes. He was determined to help, to contribute, and to dream.
In 2020, Kenneth became a regular Mekeni employee as a checker in the Packaging Section. He resigned in 2021 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but continued part-time work in the warehouse while enrolling at the Don Honorio Ventura State University (now the Pampanga State University) to pursue a degree in Elementary Education. In 2023, he reapplied and returned to Mekeni as a production worker.
His days were long and his nights even longer. Kenneth worked from 6 PM to 2:30 AM, often extending his shift just to earn a little more for tuition. After a few hours of sleep, he would go to school from 7 AM to 4 PM. The exhaustion was real, he often fell asleep in class, but his teachers understood. He was excelling, despite the odds.
There were moments of doubt, even depression. Kenneth admitted he initially kept his studies a secret from his supervisor, afraid of losing the job he loved. But he held on, driven by a promise to himself and to his mother, who always dreamed of having a teacher in the family.
And he did. With years of hard work, sleepless nights, and relentless determination, Kenneth graduated Magna Cum Laude. His achievement is not just his โ it belongs to his family, his community, and to Mekeni, which stood by him through it all.
โWala po lahat ng ito kung wala yung nanay ko at pamilya ko. Lahat ng ginagawa ko ay para sa kanila. Gusto kong baguhin yung cycle ng buhay namin para mabago ang buhay naming,โ Kenneth, with tears in his eyes, shared.
Mekeni played a vital role in Kennethโs journey โ not just as an employer, but as a support system.
From the Production Floor to the executive offices, Kenneth and his siblings found opportunities, mentorship, and encouragement. The companyโs culture of compassion and community upliftment was instrumental in helping him pursue his education.
โSobrang thankful po ako. Kung wala ang Mekeni, baka hindi po ako nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral. Malaking impact po iyon sa buhay ko at tinatanawan ko ng malaking utang na loob ang Mekeni,โ he said.
Mekeni Food Corporation President Pruds Garcia shared his thoughts on Kennethโs achievement.
โKennethโs story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the value of community. At Mekeni, we believe in giving people not just jobs, but opportunities to grow and transform their lives. We are proud to have been part of Kennethโs journey,โ Garcia said.
โAng tagumpay ni Kenneth ay tagumpay ng bawat Mekeni employee na nangangarap. We celebrate not just his academic success, but the courage it took to pursue it,โ the Mekeni executive added.
To those who feel like the โlast cardโ who dreams of changing the fate of their family, Kenneth offers this message:
โKung gusto mo talaga ang isang bagay, paghihirapan mo ito. Habang bata ka, kailangan mag-aral ka. Hindi habang buhay malakas tayoโ.
So, if you are reading this and carrying the weight of your dreams and your familyโs hopes โ keep going.
Like Kenneth, you too, can turn the tables. You too, can rise.
