Pusing Through

1970 -1983

Born and raised in the city of Ligao, Fe Nabur Ragasa accepted the challenge of entering the intimidating Manila to turn her dreams into reality.

With her father working as a jeepney driver and her mother selling rice cakes “puto” and doing her customers’ laundry, Fe dreamed of becoming successful as she and her older brother looked after 10 younger siblings in their small house beside a river.

“I dreamed but it was bleak. Wala kaming pera. Sa status ng family namin, bihira ‘yong nakakagraduate. There was a time I even thought of marrying early. Makatakas lang sa hirap ng buhay.” Fe said with a small shrug while chuckling.

As a young girl, Fe narrated that worn out shoes, lack of school supplies and a mother that nagged her to do chores over studying were not able to stop her from bringing home medals and awards all throughout elementary.

She finished grade six placing seventh in her entire batch at Ligao West Central Elem. School, Binatagan Ligao,City.

1983-1987

During her high school years, she would wake up before rays of the sun would hit Mount Mayon’s perfect cone and help prepare “puto, kutsinta”, and other “kakanin” to sell at their set-up stall in the nearby market.

She juggled doing household chores, selling “puto” and maintaining her academic scholarship to graduate as a high school Valedictorian.

1987-1991

Fe consistently kept her scholarship and finished her Bachelor’s degree in Education as one of Bicol University College of Education’s Cum Laude graduates Batch 1991.

“[When I graduated] feeling ko nanalo ako sa lotto. I knew na magkakaroon na ako ng sweldo and I didn’t have to sell things anymore,” the now 50-year-old teacher narrated.

After college, a family friend convinced her to try her break in Manila where the future might be uncertain but opportunities were many

One morning in April 1991, she stepped out of air con-less bus in Cubao, and thus, began her journey in the big city.

"Para akong tinapon sa gitna ng gubat and I didn’t know the way out," she recalled, “I felt like Joshua entering the promise land.“

As a strong believer and a woman of faith, Fe said she fervently prayed and did not give up by pushing her way through all the problems she encountered in the city.

“I was driven with a purpose to serve. A driven person is someone determined to pursue a goal he set, no matter what. He does not settle for less and works with excellence and heart,” she said, describing herself.

Starting small, Fe took a job as a factory worker and was content in teaching the children of her boss as a part time job to provide for her family back in the province.

After eight months, as her family back in Bicol started to become financially stable with the elder siblings’ help, she applied for a teaching job she found in an advertisement as she was reading the daily newspaper.

1992-1999

Having an excellent academic background, she was immediately accepted at Jubilee Christian Academy in Quezon City and worked as an elementary and high school English teacher for eight years.

In June 1999, happily married and pregnant with her first daughter, Fe transferred and taught as head teacher at small school near her home in D. Tuazon called Apples and Oranges.

She then gained more experience in teaching as she transferred to Meridian International Learning Experience in Quezon City after which she was offered for a school managing experience at Learner’s Home Inc. in Ortigas.

2003-2013

Fe did not stop at only gaining teaching experience because she said that she still had a dream to reach. She studied Early Childhood Education in CECCD where she finished the modules with Recognition. She also further developed her knowledge and teaching skills as she continued her studies of Masters in Curriculum Studies at UP. Diliman. In 2006, she was so driven to serve and reach out for more children and families she established her own tutorial center – Obelisk International Learning Hub.

2014-Present

After 7 years, Fe finally decided to open a Preschool and made her dream come true when she opened her own school which she named Obelisk Interlinked Learner’s H.O.M.E (Home Of Meaningful Experience) ) Inc. in Cubao and accepted her first batch of five pre-school students.

“I feel fulfilled from touching lives of students and families through my work. My God given passion to teach all types of learners fueled my excellence. I love what I do. That love helps me teach well.”

Now, with her dream of managing her own school and having her own family as her reality, she considers herself successful and happy with living her life to the fullest.

With 80 students currently enrolled in her small school, Fe and her husband wake up everyday, ready to serve, teach, and touch the lives of their students and families.

Fe expanded the reach of OILHOME through Homeschooling Assistantship Programs. She occupies herself training teachers, parent-teachers online and offline to teachers and homeschool-parents improve the quality of their teaching.

“Now, I earnestly pray for long life so that I could serve more children and families. I want to adapt teaching programs to the type of learners we have today.”

Looking back to where she began, it is clear that whatever problem this woman will encounter next will be faced head on, much like how she constantly pushed to turn her dreams into reality. ###