When in Quicksand, Do Not Struggle: Sibunga’s Top 7 Journey
Like the changing seasons, our lives are meant to transform. These changes shape us into the person we aspire to become. Ms. Riza Sibunga’s story stands as a testament to how faith, perseverance, and resilience can overcome even the most difficult trials.
Like most children, Ms. Riza Sibunga enjoyed a joyful and vibrant childhood. She spent her days helping varnish church chairs during Semana Santa, playing make-believe games with her sister and friends, and even teaching neighborhood children English using a small piece of blackboard her father brought home from the elementary school where he worked as a carpenter. In school, she often stayed in the reading corner during her free time, immersing herself in books. One lesson she remembered vividly was about quicksand, and how the key to escaping it was to remain calm and avoid struggling.
As she grew older, she realized that quicksand was not always physical—it could also exist in one’s life and mind.
In high school, her world seemed to collapse when her family faced a financial crisis alongside a painful event that caused them to fall apart. The lessons she once read about escaping quicksand no longer seemed enough. Her mother worked tirelessly, earning only ₱200 a day, to support her and her sister’s education, with occasional help from relatives. Each day felt like sinking deeper into uncertainty. Yet, she learned to “lift her head above the sand”—to pause, breathe, and endure. For nearly two years, her family survived by holding on to hope and each other.
College presented another mountain to climb. The journey demanded determination, patience, resilience, and faith. Through countless deadlines and sacrifices, she pushed herself to succeed, not just for her dreams, but for her family. Her hard work paid off when she finally earned her college diploma.
However, another challenge awaited: the Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (RA 7836). What once seemed like an impossible hurdle became a journey filled with deeper lessons—far beyond what review materials could offer.
Living alone in her apartment, she learned to value the warmth and presence of her loved ones even more. Instead of giving in to doubt and fear, she chose to remain steadfast. She reminded herself that while she could never grasp all the knowledge in the world, she could always strive to learn more.
Her family became her anchor. Their unwavering support kept her grounded and focused. During moments of discouragement, she would remember the image of her parents fixing the door of her apartment—a simple act that symbolized how love transcends distance. Their faith in her gave her the strength to believe in herself.
On the day of the exam, she stood firm. She prayed with gratitude for the opportunity and declared victory in her heart. As she rode a jeepney to the testing center, she looked back at her parents and was overwhelmed with emotion. From beginning to end, she felt supported—carried by the silent strength of those who believed in her.
When she placed Top 7 in the September LEPT 2025, her first thought was not about recognition or rewards—it was about making her family proud. Unlike many, she did not forget the journey that brought her there. She fulfilled her promise to bring honor to SLSU and remained grateful to everyone who helped shape her into who she had become.
Ms. Riza Sibunga’s journey was far from smooth. It was filled with storms and moments of sinking. But through SLSU’s commitment to excellence, her family’s love, and God’s grace, every challenge became bearable.
There were times she felt alone and wanted to give up. Yet, in those moments, she realized something profound: love is not always in front of you—it is often behind you, quietly pushing you forward, holding you up, and giving you strength when you feel like sinking.
So, the next time you find yourself in quicksand, remember this:
breathe, stay calm, and do not struggle.