Words by: Jasmine Illustrisimo
Alenah Ligan tells of her relentless back-and-forth between fortunes and the misfortunes that tested her resolve as a working student
Life is filled with challenges and inner conflicts, yet only a handful of aspirations come to fruition on the first attempt. For many, the path to turning dreams into reality lies in unwavering determination, relentless effort, and the resilience to persevere through any circumstance.
In the bustling corridors of campus life, Alenah Ligan, a fourth-year mass communication student at Silliman University (SU), stands as a testament to this fortitude.
At 21 years old, Alenah’s daily routine involves alternating between studies and work commitments to support herself and her younger brother who studies in Bohol. She began working at a young age, shouldering responsibilities far beyond her years.
It all began when her mother lost her job at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting Alenah to step up and face life’s challenges with resilience and determination. Despite the hardships, her story is one of strength and hope—a manifestation of the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.
During senior high, Alenah played a big part in her school’s publication in Bohol where she gained experiences in student journalism, enabling her to get a job and earn a little.
As college came closer, she considered attending a state university at first but her mother convinced her to go to SU. This decision has placed the family at a financial crossroads, where even basic expenses like tuition became a significant burden. Yet through the kindness of her relatives, Alenah and her family were able to overcome the struggles, at least for the time being.
Alenah’s mother has remained steadfast in her conviction that education holds the key to unlocking a brighter future for her daughter, and she was determined to make this vision a reality.
“I would do anything to let you study there—tanan, anak,” Alenah’s mother told her.
As fate would have it, an opportunity came to her to write blogs, which earned just enough to cover her tuition and living expenses for the semester, though at a modest minimum wage.
Although the job provided her temporary relief, the sustenance fell short to cover the entire school year. This realization underscored the ongoing challenge she faced in balancing her academic pursuits with the harsh realities of financial responsibility.
To navigate these challenges, Alenah actively sought for scholarships while working late at night. She applied within and outside the university but to no avail.
Eventually, her part-time job didn’t last long until graduation, leaving her the decision to take a gap year but was opposed by her mother. Instead, Alenah decided to take up writing jobs at night but she realized that it wasn’t enough to support their financial situation.
“It was a really bad, bad, bad point of our lives, we didn’t know what to do,” she recounts.
After months of uncertainty, Alenah decided it was time to take bold steps toward stability and growth. She cast a wide net in her job search, determined to find roles that would challenge her and expand her professional horizons.
Her commitment and tenacity were relentless, even when faced with silence or rejection. After a prolonged period of instability and doom scrolling, her persistence bore fruit. Alenah landed not one, but three new roles—as a project manager, virtual assistant, and executive assistant—each offering a unique set of responsibilities.
She oversees complex initiatives, while juggling a spectrum of remote administrative tasks and managing intricate schedules with high-level support, all deliverables expected for three different companies.
This blend of roles isn’t just impressive—it’s essential. The modern workplace demands professionals who can adapt easily, multitask, and excel across different responsibilities. By mastering these roles, Alenah admittedly had a hard time handling these responsibilities.
Driven by a commitment to support her family and secure her current livelihood, Alenah attends her classes during the day and transitions to her night job—despite having a time-sensitive schedule, she exemplifies the agile, indispensable worker every organization needs today.
Alenah found this cycle difficult. She thought of giving up once, twice, or even thrice, but the responsibility of providing for their everyday expenses kept her motivated.
Her hard work has flourished and she is now balancing her needs alongside a deep sense of family responsibility and navigating financial constraints, while also easing the burden of her brother’s tuition. Alenah remains grounded in her beginnings, ensuring to reciprocate the sacrifices her family have been making in sending her to a prestigious university amid the financial challenges.
Alenah dreams of graduating and securing a stable job that allows her to make ends meet for herself and her family. Alenah believes that the challenges she faces now will only make her stronger in the future. By balancing work and study, she is not only gaining experience but also building resilience.
In a world that often equates success with relentless hard work and perseverance, Alenah’s journey as a working student challenges this narrow view. Her experience reveals how success is not just about effort but also about navigating the uneven playing field shaped by deprivation and marginalisation—barriers that many face but few overcome.
It is often in the face of adversity that we discover our true potential, build resilience, and ultimately, find unexpected fortune in its many forms. As Alenah continues on this path, she remains hopeful for a brighter future where financial burdens are lighter and dreams are within reach.