Essay: Paying forward to the village of love that raised me
By Sue Ann G. Vergara
“Ora na-azu nwa.” It takes a village to raise a child. - African Proverb
Who I am today is the sum of the remarkable individuals I’ve met at different crucial points in my life. They have guided and supported me in shaping my life and spirit.
My story begins in childhood with my grandmother Eufrosinia Nacua-Gascon, Lola Prosing, my earliest and greatest champion. She did not express her love through material gifts but with boundless affection and emotional grounding.
Sue with her village of love on her graduation day in 2000, including her grandmother Lola Prosing.
A teacher by profession, she rarely tutored me directly in my studies—not out of neglect, but out of a deep belief in my innate capability. She taught me how to stand my ground even when the earth beneath me trembled and showed me how to pursue my dreams with quiet push, even when the path was steep and had to be walked alone.
High school has taught me independence, leadership, and how to nurture my faith.A major transition occurred when my brother and I relocated to the city and lived with my parents to attend high school at Cebu Institute of Technology (CIT), following my grandparents' departure for New York to be with my aunt and her family and enjoy retirement.
CIT became instrumental for my personal growth. Through Girl Scouting, under the guidance of Mrs. Hazel Sanchez-Arches and Miss Judy Porquez, I cultivated self-reliance, resilience, and leadership while competing in annual camps across schools.
Alongside them, was my Science teacher, Mr. Raul Escala, who ignited my love for learning—not because Science was effortless, but because he saw my potential and pushed me to excel. His mentorship developed into a cherished friendship that endures nearly thirty years later.
On weekdays, my life revolved around CIT doing my academic work and attending Campus Ministry activities where my spiritual foundation grew.
It was there that I met Kuya Bong, an ECE student serving as our high school coordinator. He became a trusted big brother figure to me for about three decades now. He later entered the Misionera Familia Verbum Dei to become a priest.
We lost communication during his formation years. However, when he was about to be ordained as a Deacon, he went to St. Theresa’s College, where I used to work to invite me to his diaconate ordination.
Our friendship marked me because during moments of self-doubt and spiritual questioning, Fr. Vincent “Bong” Guinoo, as his name implies he was and is Christ’s presence in my life. He introduced me to the Verbum Family in Cebu and for about 10 years now, they are like my big spiritual family, which helped me nurture my faith.
My college years were filled with grit, gratitude, and Divine Providence. Enrolling as a Psychology major at the University of San Carlos (USC) in 1996 opened a defining new chapter.
Starting in Psych 1 with Atty. Gil Talisaysay, a small group of us formed an inseparable bond, calling ourselves Block X. To honor my block mates, I would like to mention their names here - Amanda, Aracelie, Bonifer, Catherine Ross, Contessa, Delanie, Diana Chris, Gaysel Antonette, Jiah, Lilibeth, Mahal, Marjorie, Peter and my best friend Cherry Claire, I found a vital support system that filled university life with joy and camaraderie.
College days also tested me to resolve financial challenges, which were met by timely acts of grace. When unpaid dues threatened my ability to take final exams, Fr. McSherry, SVD, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, stepped in and signed my examination permit.
His parting instruction was simple yet profound: "Pay It Forward." At that time, I did not know how to pay forward the kindness that was shown to me. That blessing enabled me to take the exams and obtained passing grades consequently qualifying me to apply for a working scholarship.
I remember so well Vivian Jakosalem, who accepted my application and assigned me to the Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) office. For two full years and two summers, I balanced a demanding routine—working from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM, then attending classes from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
During my final year, my internship created a major dilemma: the mandatory four-hour daily internship schedule directly conflicted with my work hours. Giving up the scholarship meant I could no longer afford tuition since my parents are also supporting my 3 other siblings.
Seeing my plight, my supervisor Miss Linda Delvo, instructed me to approach our Vice President for Academic Affairs, Fr. Heinz Kulüeke, SVD, to express my concern and to apply for an academic scholarship. Fr. Heinz readily granted me a full one-year scholarship. Thanks to the generosity of the SVD community and the people who believed in me, especially Miss Linda and Vicky Spencer, I graduated on time in March 2000.
In every chapter of my life, I had mentors, friends, spiritual guides, and my family who offered support, became my strength, deepened my faith, and opened opportunities when I needed them most. Their combined influences make me who I am today. Moving forward, I always remember to Pay It Forward, be kind and to have faith in God always.
(About the writer: Sue Ann Vergara works as counselor for a nonprofit helping trafficked persons in the Philippines. She is pioneering cohort of the Masterclass on Writing and Journalism with Dr. Marivir Montebon under the auspices of Awesome Media Ltd. and Women’s Immigration & Communications Cafe in New York City.)
