"Dreams do come true," says Maria Adoracion Remo Octavio — lovingly called Dory — as she proudly uploaded her graduation photo on Facebook, marking a milestone not just for herself but also for countless Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who dare to dream.
Dory, a domestic
worker in Hong Kong, made history by placing second in the June 2025 Special
Professional Licensure Examination for Teachers of the Philippines. The
Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced the results last Friday.
Dory, a graduate
of AMA University Online Education (OEd), achieved an outstanding score
of 89.20%, sharing the second spot with three other top examinees. The
top rank was secured by Jison A. Reyno of Binalbagan Catholic College with a
score of 90.60%.
On Facebook,
Dory — also known as Mariyah to some of her friends — humbly expressed her
gratitude for the result. She kept her celebration simple, true to her
soft-spoken nature.
“Thank you,
Lord. Pasado na, top 2 pa,” she wrote. (“Thank
you, Lord. I didn’t just pass, I made it to the top 2.”)
She also
extended her appreciation to the people who reached out to her:
“Thank you sa lahat ng bumati, nag-chat, at nag-comment. Hindi ko na po kayo
maiisa-isa,” (“Thank you to everyone who congratulated me, sent
messages, or left comments. I can’t thank you all individually.”)
Humble
Beginnings, Unwavering Dreams
Dory’s journey
is nothing short of inspiring. Originally from Camarines Sur, she was
just 23 years old when she left the Philippines in 2009 to work as an OFW in
Hong Kong. Like many Filipinos, she set aside her personal ambitions to help
her family financially.
But Dory was no
ordinary student. She had shown academic promise early in life, having
graduated as valedictorian in elementary school. Despite years of
working long hours as a domestic helper, her passion for learning and her
desire to become a teacher never faded.
The long hours,
the physical exhaustion, and the distance from her family could have easily
discouraged anyone from pursuing higher education. But for Dory, the dream
remained alive.
The AMA Advantage:
Supporting Students Anywhere in the World Anytime
When the opportunity to return to school came through the AMA Computer Learning Center in Hong Kong, Dory seized it wholeheartedly. As a full-time domestic helper, she found hope in AMA’s flexible class schedules, weekend programs specifically designed for OFWs, and a highly supportive learning environment that allowed her to pursue her studies without giving up her livelihood.
For two years,
Dory attended face-to-face weekend classes at AMA Hong Kong, where the diploma program
was carefully structured to meet the unique needs of working students abroad.
When she transitioned to AMA University – Quezon City campus under Online
Education (OEd) program, she discovered an educational system that truly
accommodated the realities of OFWs like her. Through AMA’s modular,
self-paced curriculum, accessible online platform, and flexible scheduling,
she was able to continue her studies while fulfilling her demanding duties as a
domestic worker.
Dory’s academic
journey was not easy—it spanned 15 years of balancing work and education,
a testament to her resilience and determination. Thanks to AMA’s responsive
online faculty, international support centers, and OFW-friendly policies,
Dory successfully completed her Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd) in
2024.
AMA Computer
Learning Center in Hong Kong, and AMAU OEd, AMA’s strong commitment to
providing accessible, quality education for OFWs and working professionals
abroad played a crucial role in Dory’s success.
Dory was
fortunate to return to Manila in October 2024 to personally receive her
diploma—a rare opportunity for many OFWs. Her graduation fulfilled a lifelong
dream, made possible by her determination and AMA’s flexible, accessible
education—an inspiring story for OFWs everywhere.
The Road to
the LET
After years of
balancing work and study, Dory was ready to take the Licensure
Examination for Teachers (LET). Since the exam was no longer offered in
Hong Kong after the pandemic, she needed to travel to Taiwan.
At first, her
elderly ward—her beloved popo—hesitated to let her go. But with patient,
tearful persistence, Dory gained her employer’s approval.
When the Professional
Regulation Commission (PRC) later released the official results, Dory’s
efforts were more than rewarded. She not only passed the LET—she placed second
nationwide, securing one of the top spots in one of the Philippines’ most
competitive licensure examinations.
Her achievement
was more than just a personal victory—it was a triumph that resonated across
the OFW community, proving that distance, hardship, and circumstance cannot
stand in the way of a determined heart.
Her story is a
powerful reminder that with courage and determination, no distance or challenge
is too great.
AMA Helped Me Achieve My Dream — Even
from Thousands of Miles Away
By Maria Adoracion Remo Octavio
Bachelor of Secondary Education Graduate | AMA University Online Education
Top 2 LET Passer (June 2025)
When I left my
hometown in Camarines Sur to work as a domestic helper in Hong Kong, I thought
I had to let go of my dream of becoming a teacher. Life abroad was difficult,
and I believed my chance to finish college had passed.
But AMA University
Online Education (OEd) gave me a second chance.
When I
discovered the AMA Computer Learning
Center in Hong Kong, I grabbed the opportunity. AMA’s flexible
schedules, weekend classes for OFWs, and supportive environment made it
possible for me to work full-time while studying. For two years, I attended
face-to-face weekend classes, and when I shifted to AMA’s online education
program under the Quezon City campus, I was able to continue my studies
online—at my own pace and from wherever I was.
AMA’s system is
truly built for OFWs like me. I was able to balance my job and my education
through AMA’s modular curriculum, accessible online platform, responsive
faculty, and OFW-friendly policies. They made sure that students like me,
working thousands of miles away, could pursue their degrees without sacrificing
their livelihood.
After 15
years of hard work and perseverance, I finally graduated with a Bachelor
of Secondary Education in 2024. I was fortunate to personally attend our
graduation in Manila—a rare chance for OFWs, made possible by AMA’s support and
flexibility.
In 2025, I took
the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) in Taiwan and, by God’s
grace, I passed—ranking Top 2 nationwide.
AMA didn’t just
offer me a degree—they provided the pathway to my dream. Their commitment to
accessible, quality education for working Filipinos abroad made this possible.
To all my fellow OFWs: it’s never too
late.
With the right support and determination, you can achieve your dreams—just like
I did through AMA.
AMA truly makes
it possible to study anytime, anywhere.
A Message of
Hope
Dory’s story is
proof that distance and hardship can’t stop a determined heart. Thanks
to AMA’s flexible, globally accessible programs, OFWs like Dory can now pursue
higher education while working abroad.
