24/04/2026
Where Sacrifice Meets Purpose: The Story of Chris Lei T. Pablo
In the quiet community of Doรฑa Andrea, Asuncion, Davao del Norte, lives a teacher whose story is shaped by both sacrifice and purposeโChris Lei T. Pablo. For her, teaching was never just a profession. It is a source of happiness. Seeing students grow, improve, and succeed has always been her greatest reward. As she simply puts it, โTheir wins are mine too.โ
For over three years now, Chris Lei has been serving in Tapayanon Elementary School, one of the farthest schools in Barangay Gupitan, Langilan District, but reaching her learners is no easy task. Every week, she travels nearly 90 kilometers from homeโa journey that takes three hours on a motorcycle over rough, bumpy roads, followed by a tiring 30-minute trek. It is a difficult path, yet the moment the school comes into view, all exhaustion fades. For her, that sight means another chance to bring education to children who need it most.
Behind her strength, however, lies a quiet struggle. Her greatest challenge is not the long journey or the tough teaching conditions, but the emotional weight of leaving her family, especially her son, who has cerebral palsy. While Chris Lei dedicates her weekdays to being a second mother for her students, her heart constantly longs to be present for her sonโs needs and milestones. It is a sacrifice that few can truly understand, yet she continues to carry it with courage. โIt was so hard,โ she admits, โbut I am here, still here. Para sa bata, para sa bayan!โ
There were many times she thought of giving up. The physical, emotional, and financial demands of teaching in a remote area can be overwhelming, but every time she sees the realities of life in Tapayanon, she finds renewed purpose. She dreams of giving her students a better futureโone filled with opportunities they have yet to experience.
This same passion led Chris Lei to take on another challenge: RESEARCH. Wanting to understand more about the struggles of non-IP teachers handling multigrade classes in IP schools, she proposed a study titled โJuggling Roles: The Lived Experiences of Non-IP Multigrade Teachers in IP Schools.โ Despite limited research experience, poor internet connection, and the responsibility of caring for her son during therapy sessions on weekends, she persevered.
Her hard work paid off. Chris Lei was selected as one of the BERF grantees, a moment that filled her with both pride and humility. For her, it was more than an achievement, it was a reminder that her efforts, sacrifices, and dreams are all leading somewhere meaningful. It also became her first brave step outside her comfort zone, proving to herself that she is capable of more than she once believed.
Through her research, Chris Lei hopes to help improve education in IP communities by promoting inclusive, culturally sensitive teaching, and better support systems for teachers. Her story is not just about success, it is about resilience, love, and a deep commitment to making a difference.
Indeed, Chris Lei T. Pabloโs journey reminds us that true success is not measured by how easy the path is, but by how much heart we put into walking it.
