Class of 2026 | BCAEd & BPEd Visayas State University Institute of Human Kinetics
From Tears to Triumph:
The Golden Journey of Justine Joie Cativo
AT BCAEd
A Story of Motherhood, Sacrifice, Faith, and Victory
Justine Joei Cativo, 24 years old, was born on May 6, 2002, in Pangasinan City. From a young age, she dreamed of becoming a nurse. Like many children, she imagined herself one day wearing a white uniform, helping people, and making a difference in the lives of others. As she grew older, however, life slowly revealed a different path one that would lead her to discover her true passion and purpose.
During her high school years at Baybay National High School, Justine became a member of the Special Program in the Arts (SPA). It was there that she discovered her love for the arts,dance, music, theater, and creative expression. Through various performances, trainings, and experiences, she realized that her talents and passion were deeply rooted in the performing arts. What started as a school program eventually became the foundation of a dream she never expected to pursue. When the time came to choose a college degree, Justine made the courageous decision to follow the path that aligned with her gifts and passion. She enrolled in the Bachelor of Culture and Arts Education program, believing that education and the arts could become powerful tools to inspire future generations. Like many students, Justine once dreamed of graduating alongside her original batchmates. She imagined completing her degree on time and celebrating every milestone with the people she started the journey with. However, life had different plans.
Her path was never easy. It was filled with sacrifices, delays, sleepless nights, and countless moments of doubt. When she became a mother, she chose to pause her studies and prioritize her child's needs. While others continued moving forward, she stayed behind quietly carrying responsibilities that only a young mother could truly understand. When her child turned one year old, Justine found the courage to return to her studies. She took the qualifying examination and, by God's grace, passed. But behind that achievement were silent battles no one could see. There were nights she cried under pressure overthinking if she could still continue, if she was strong enough, or if she was already falling behind too much. Returning to college meant carrying everything at once. Assignments, exams, rehearsals, varsity trainings, and motherhood. As a student-athlete and member of the university varsity team, the weight often felt unbearable. She constantly worried about her grades, her child, her responsibilities, and the expectations around her. There were days when exhaustion took over completely, and she felt like she was failing in every role she tried to fulfill. Many nights were spent crying silently after everyone had fallen asleep. Pressure became a constant companion, pressure to perform, to provide, to survive, and to stay strong even when she was already breaking inside. In those moments when everything felt too heavy, she would find her strength again through her child. her child became her reason to continue, her motivation to rise even when she felt like giving up.
Life tested her even more when she faced a serious health condition that required surgery. The operation left her physically weak and emotionally drained. Recovery was painful, and fear often crept in fear that everything she worked for might slip away. There were moments when she felt helpless, questioning if she would still be able to finish what she started. But even in that season, she held on to faith, believing that healing and restoration would come in time. Family struggles and feelings of being misunderstood added to her burden. At times, she felt like a burden herself rather than a blessing. But even through pain, pressure, tears, and uncertainty, she chose to keep going. Amid all the struggles, God sent people into her life who became her strength. Friends, Teachers and classmates became her second family encouraging her when she was weak, reminding her that she was capable, and standing by her during moments she almost gave up.
Today, as she proudly stands among the graduates of the Golden Batch of the Bachelor of Culture and Arts Education, Justine looks back at a journey shaped by sacrifice, resilience, and faith. She graduates not only with a degree but with a testimony built from every tear, every surgery scar, every sleepless night, and every moment she chose to continue despite the pressure. Her story is a reminder that success is not about how smooth the journey is, but about how strong you become after surviving what tried to break you. Dreams may be delayed, but they are never denied when carried with faith, perseverance, and courage.
From tears to triumph, from pressure to perseverance, from pain to purpose, and from motherhood to motivation, Justine Joei Cativo stands as living proof that even the most broken seasons can still lead to beautiful victories through God.