October 1, 2026
The cycle ends with her
By Nicole Fetalcorin
When those closest to you limit your potential, choosing to dream becomes an act of courage.
Born in the province of Negros Occidental, Renancie Abiera was expected to follow the same path as her 10 siblings: Marry young and leave her education behind. Her parents believed schooling held no value for her, assuming she would inevitably end up as a housewife. This mindset stemmed from her parents' own experience: Though they worked tirelessly as farmers, their past efforts to send their older children to school went to waste when those children eventually started families of their own without diplomas.
Only in fourth grade at the time, Abiera could barely make sense of her parents’ judgment when her mother told her that not a single penny would be spent on her education because she would likely end up like her siblings. “I was still a child. At that time, I didn't understand what my parents were thinking,” Abiera shared.
But that lack of belief did not stop her. She resolved to prove herself, taking on work at a young age just to fight for her education.
From then on, Abiera worked relentlessly. In elementary school, she served as a housekeeper for three of her teachers, rotating between their homes each day, and sold ice candy at school to cover her expenses.
“There were times when I would sleep at school with my teachers because our school was on a mountain farm, so they couldn't go home to the city. I stayed with them until I graduated from elementary school, through their help.”
When high school came, it brought new uncertainties about how she would continue studying. When an aunt visited from Zamboanga, Abiera pleaded to go with her, promising to do every household chore in exchange for high school support. Her aunt agreed, but five months after relocating to Zamboanga, her aunt’s family moved to Portugal.
“I was sad. I asked myself how this was going to work out for me. That was when my three former teachers stepped in to take me back. They asked me to choose which of them I wanted to live with, and I did. I took on every household job—I even became a housemaid for my teacher's grandchild. I did the laundry, ironed clothes, and cooked. Everything. In the morning I went to school, and in the afternoon I worked. My shift ran from 4:00 PM until 2:00 AM, leaving me with only two hours of rest before heading back to class. That was my routine until I finished [junior] high school.”
When her sister visited later on, she shared that restaurants in Batangas were hiring. Abiera seized the chance and worked as a service crew member at a lomi eatery, earning enough to complete senior high school and enroll in college.
Yet another storm hit when the business closed during the COVID-19 pandemic and her mother fell ill. Without a second thought, Abiera returned to Negros to care for her. Once her mother recovered, Abiera left home again to search for better opportunities outside the province. Trying her luck in Metro Manila, she went straight to the Quezon City Municipal Hall to search for job opportunities.
She landed a position as a contact tracer under the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), joining the ranks of frontliners at the height of the pandemic. As restrictions eased in 2023, she transitioned to managing a hair salon and later on worked in the Business Process Outsourcing industry as a call center agent. Yet through every job, her mind remained fixed on a bigger dream: to study caregiving.
“I decided to pursue caregiving. I asked my brother if he could support me, and he said yes, so every month we saved for my tuition. I searched every website for free training, and the Tzu Chi Foundation was the first to come up. But when I found it in March, classes had already started. I prayed for another batch to open and followed every Tzu Chi page online. Around August or September, they posted applications for Batch 12, and I immediately grabbed the opportunity.”
Recalling her acceptance, Abiera said, “I was so grateful. It was only when I got accepted into Tzu Chi that I left my job as a call center agent to focus fully on my studies.”
However, tragedy struck when three of her brother's children were involved in a drowning incident that claimed one life and left two in critical condition. With the family's savings completely drained by medical bills, Abiera secretly worked night shifts as a virtual assistant to support herself while attending her Tzu Chi classes during the day.
“In the morning I studied, and at night I worked. It was tiring, but I never gave up. Because that was my dream and when you have a dream, you just don’t surrender.” Abiera said.
Despite her grueling schedule, Abiera never missed a single class, determined to honor the chance the foundation had given her.
She eventually became a full-time caregiving scholar, leaving her virtual assistant job behind when she began her on-the-job training at Camillus Medhaven Nursing Home in Marikina City. During her Humanities classes, she deeply embodied the virtue of compassion—a value she had already been living every day.
“Even if I have very little left for myself, I would still give it to them.”
Today, line by line, Abiera continues to write her own story. Now a graduate of the Tzu Chi Foundation’s caregiving program, she serves as a caregiver in a private facility.
“When I called home, my siblings told me that our parents are now proud of me,” Abiera shared tearfully.
Her life is an inspiring reminder of what perseverance can achieve. Born into hardships that could have easily constrained her dreams, she forged her own trail—supported by a strong support system, empowered by resilience, and guided by a heart full of compassion. At last, her family's cycle of having no child graduate ends with her.
Caregiving scholar Renancie Abiera defied the odds, becoming her family’s first graduate through Tzu Chi’s caregiving program despite her parents' initial doubts.
With deep gratitude, caregiving scholar Renancie Abiera (second from left) honors her mentors, thanking the Tzu Chi Foundation for believing in her potential and helping her pursue her dreams.
During her interview, Renancie Abiera (second from right) tearfully reflects on her brother (first from left), whose unwavering support and encouragement gave her the emotional strength to pursue her dreams.
Even at a young age, Renancie Abiera was determined to build a better future for herself, taking on odd jobs and making sacrifices while still a child.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Renancie Abiera served as a frontliner, working as a DILG contact tracer to support herself.
Persistent and determined, Renancie Abiera also worked as a hair salon manager.
Determined to complete the caregiving program, Renancie Abiera made full use of the opportunity, actively attending every lesson and training session.
Determined to complete the caregiving program, Renancie Abiera made full use of the opportunity, actively attending every lesson and training session.
Forced to work after a family emergency, she took night shifts as a virtual assistant while attending classes during the day.
Renancie Abiera completed her caregiving practicum at Camillus Medhaven Nursing Home in Marikina City, where she provided compassionate care to her patients, treating them like family.
Carefully attending to her patient's needs, Renancie Abiera takes diligent care of an elderly woman.
Gently braiding her patient’s hair, Renancie Abiera builds a special bond through simple acts of kindness.
Every scholar carries a dream, and Renancie Abiera (front row, first from left) is a beautiful testament to what happens when kindness creates opportunity. Through the caregiving program, aspiring hearts like hers are given the chance to transform their own lives—and, in turn, care for others.
Now working full-time in caregiving, Renancie Abiera carries her Tzu Chi education forward—determined to pay the kindness forward in the future.