She’s the Man!

“If nobody knocks your door, knock your own door! The most precious support for you is the support you give yourself!” ― Mehmet Murat ildanSuch is the current motivational mantra of the bubbly gal walking briskly along the corridors of Agusan del Sur School of Arts and Trades (ASSAT) every weekdays. Yet, behind her bubbly attitude lurks the desperation to move forward with grace and success. Thus, she continuously waded her life’s journey one step at a time.

Apple Jane B. Urbayo, 22, originally hails from Calumpang, General Santos City. However, her family moved to Barobo, Surigao del Sur where she earned her secondary education through the Alternative Learning System (ALS) of the Department of Education.

From there, Jane tried different types of jobs —from seller, sales lady to merchandiser in local enterprises—to survive and to financially assist her family. Her meagre salary from these enterprises got her thinking in availing one of TESDA’s program which she luckily qualified into: the Special Training for Employment Program (STEP) in Hairdressing.

Such training motivated Jane to learn and acquire more skills which she can earn a living. So she enrolled in ASSAT and chose Beauty Care NC II which she passed its national assessment. Yet, at the back of her mind is the dream of giving her family a home where all of her siblings will be reunited as well as the hope of managing both her own beauty salon and her bakery someday.

With the implementation of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA), Jane enlisted her name under the Diploma Program in Hotel and Restaurant Services Technology (HRST). Balancing her academics and her beauty and hair care services with minimal earnings and a self-supporting student, Jane still emerged as the winner when she was crowned as Miss ASSAT 2018.

Jane muses that she did all her minimal achievement with the help of the people around her. She even revealed that she is currently residing in one of the boarding houses within the locality for free and divulges that she only have to clean the area in exchange of which she is grateful.

“Karon, makahatag ko ug ginagmay nga allowance sa akong mga manghud.” She shares that despite the hardships she and her family is facing, she knows that her dreams will eventually come true with the help of the Almighty God and the guidance of her family.