Pride and tears filled the air as 25-year-old Kenneth Calma, a production employee at Mekeni Food Corporation, walked up the stage last August 12 to receive his Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education diploma from Pampanga State University โwith the distinction of Magna Cum Laude.
Behind the medal and applause, however, lies a story not just of academic excellence, but of grit, sacrifice, and love that carried one young man from the production floor to the honor roll.
From Balubad to the stage of success
Born and raised in Balubad, Porac, Kenneth grew up in a home where hard work was a way of life. His father, Rosito, serves as a barangay tanod, while his mother, Reyna, is a devoted homemaker. With eight siblings and limited means, life for the Calma family was far from easyโbut it was filled with hope and determination.
Each of his siblings worked to help make ends meet. Linuel and Genesis served as house boys for Mekeniโs executives Lito and Adrian Garcia. Merwin** joined the warehouse team, while Jennica and Jivon worked in the packaging crew. His brother Rosito Jr., with the help of the Garcia family, graduated with a degree in Accountancy from Holy Angel University and became the familyโs breadwinner until illness struck. His twin brother, Kevin, wasnโt able to finish school.
For Kenneth, that became a turning point. โAlam ko pong mahirap ang buhay namin,โ he shared. โPero alam ko rin, may paraan para mabago ito.โ
The working student dream
While still in Grade 12, Kenneth began working as an on-call worker at Mekeni, doing whatever job came his wayโfrom sweeping floors to lifting boxes, even helping clean homes. โWala pa akong alam noon, pero gusto ko talagang makatulong,โ he recalled.
In 2020, he became a regular employee as a checker in the packaging section. When the pandemic hit in 2021, he had to resign but continued to work part-time in the warehouse. At the same time, he enrolled at Don Honorio Ventura State University (now Pampanga State University) to pursue a degree in Elementary Education โfulfilling his motherโs dream of having a teacher in the family.
By 2023, he reapplied and was rehired at Mekeni as a production worker. His routine was grueling: working from 6 PM to 2:30 AM, sleeping only a few hours before attending classes from 7 AM to 4 PM. Exhaustion became a daily battle. โMinsan, nakakatulog ako sa klase,โ he admitted. โPero naiintindihan ako ng mga teachers ko. Alam nila, hindi ako sumusuko.โ
Faith, family, and quiet perseverance
Kenneth kept his studies a secret from his supervisor at first, afraid that juggling work and school might cost him his job. But his commitment to both never wavered.
When asked what kept him going, his eyes welled up. โWala po lahat ng ito kung wala yung nanay ko at pamilya ko,โ he said softly. โLahat ng ginagawa ko ay para sa kanila. Gusto ko baguhin yung cycle ng buhay namin para mabago ang buhay namin.โ
And he did.
After years of balancing exhaustion with determination, Kenneth graduated Magna Cum Laude โ a triumph shared not only by him but by his family, colleagues, and the Mekeni community that became his second home.
A company that believes in people
Throughout Kennethโs journey, Mekeni Food Corporation played a vital roleโnot just as an employer but as a source of support, opportunity, and mentorship. For Kenneth and his siblings, Mekeni was more than a workplace; it was a family that nurtured their aspirations.
โSobrang thankful po ako. Kung wala ang Mekeni, baka hindi po ako nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral,โ Kenneth said. โMalaking impact po iyon sa buhay ko at tinatanawan ko ng malaking utang na loob ang Mekeni.โ
Pruds Garcia, President of Mekeni, expressed pride in 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
He added, 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
A message of hope
As Kenneth stood on stage, his parents by his side, his story became a beacon of hopeโproof that poverty is not a life sentence, and that perseverance can rewrite oneโs destiny.
To those who, like him, dream of changing their familyโs fate, Kenneth shares this heartfelt advice: โKung gusto mo talaga yung isang bagay, paghihirapan mo โyon. Habang bata ka, kailangan mag-aral ka. Hindi habang buhay malakas tayo.โ
For every working student, every dreamer carrying their familyโs hopesโKenneth Calmaโs story is a reminder that you can turn the tables, too. Through hard work, faith, and heart, you can rise.
