FEATURE
TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Success rarely arrives overnight. More often, it is forged in the quiet hours when no one is watching—in the pages turned long after midnight, in the tears shed behind closed doors, and in the unwavering belief that every sacrifice will one day be worth it.
For Maria Cherry Mae S. Paga, an iKalinga from Barangay Bulbol, Rizal, Kalinga, that journey of perseverance led to one of the proudest moments of her life. The Kalinga State University graduate emerged as one of the Top 10 Regional Passers in the 2026 Criminologists Licensure Examination (CLE), proving that determination can triumph over doubt.
Born to an Ilocano mother and a father from the Biga tribe of Kalinga, Paga drew her strength from the people who mattered most.
"My motivation is my family at gusto kong patunayan na hindi tayo pwedeng ganito lang. Dapat may ma-achieve tayo kasi hindi ako nakatanggap ng award when I was college," she shared.
Those words became more than motivation—they became a promise to herself.
During her review, Paga dedicated eight to ten hours each day to studying. While many spent the Christmas season celebrating with family and friends, she remained focused on her books, choosing discipline over distraction and long-term dreams over temporary comfort.
Her journey, however, was far from easy.
Preparing for 36 subjects demanded not only mental endurance but also emotional resilience. The long days turned into sleepless nights. Fatigue became constant, burnout crept in, and there were moments when the pressure felt almost unbearable.
There were days when she cried.
But each time she reached her breaking point, she chose to continue.
Instead of allowing exhaustion to defeat her, she treated every setback as another reason to push harder. Every difficult day became another step toward the future she envisioned.
Looking back now, she no longer remembers the pain as a burden but as part of the price she willingly paid for a dream that was bigger than herself.
"It was all worth it," she said, reflecting on the journey that transformed months of sacrifice into a remarkable achievement.
Her success stands as a reminder that not every achiever begins with awards or recognition. Sometimes, the greatest victories belong to those who quietly keep going, even when no one notices their efforts.
In recognition of her outstanding accomplishment, the Provincial Government of Kalinga honored Paga during its Monday flag-raising ceremony on July 13, 2026, where she received a certificate of recognition and a cash incentive for placing among the region's top-performing examinees.
Today, Maria Cherry Mae S. Paga's story inspires not only aspiring criminologists but every young dreamer who has ever questioned whether hard work is enough. Her journey proves that success is not reserved for those who never struggle—it belongs to those who refuse to surrender, one page, one prayer, and one determined step at a time.
As she celebrates this milestone, Paga hopes her story will encourage others who are still chasing their own dreams.
"Dream bigger, kasi hindi naman natin alam yung success. Hindi mo alam kung kailan darating sa'yo."
Her journey is a gentle reminder that dreams do not bloom overnight.
Like a seed patiently growing beneath the soil, success takes time, faith, and courage. And for those who continue to believe, even through tears and uncertainty, the harvest will come when the time is right.
.png)
