Featured LPU Davao Employee of the Month: Mr. John Raubensun D. Hipulan
“I do believe that no matter the degree of uncertainty, there is always a light of certainty. Keep the certainty alive to make everything that you wished for POSSIBLE.” – Mr. John Raubensun D. Hipulan.
Mr. John Raubensun D. Hipulan is the fifth child of Susan and Raul Hipulan, and as he shared, “We only live a very simple abode here in Davao City together with my parents, two older brothers, and four beautiful sisters.”
Sir John finished his elementary from Osmeña Elementary School; however, after he graduated, he was not able to enroll in high school immediately because his family cannot afford the expenses. As Sir John recalled, “I stopped attending school for a year and used the time in helping my mother selling banana cue, washed my neighbors’ dirty clothes and cleaned their backyards, and even do lots of part-time jobs just to support my family in surviving our financial problems. After a year, I enrolled at F. Bustamante National High School and started my high school journey, but it was still difficult for me and my family in terms of financial aspects. Fortunately, despite the challenge, I survived and graduated with honors last March 2013. That was the beginning of my academic excellence, which motivated me to continue my studies.
To be honest, I was too afraid to graduate from high school because in our family, no one was able to proceed in college, and no one has graduated from college so far. In our family, attending college was not expected and impossible because we cannot afford to study in college which is why, I really tried my best to get an admission to any colleges in Davao. At the age of 15, with no knowledge of where to go and where to apply, I tried to be the first in the family to study and finish college. Since I was part of the Top 10 students in my high school, I used this advantage to get a scholarship. Although I did not know what I want in college, one thing that I knew was I WANT TO STUDY COLLEGE and CONTINUE MY EDUCATION.
Fortunately, my first college application was in Assumption College of Davao, and they granted me a Full Academic Scholarship with free Tuition Fees. It was an answered prayer for I was able to get a scholarship. However, attending college was not easy because I have to maintain grades every semester. Once I failed to maintain the grade standard, everything will be gone, and my college journey will no longer be part of my life. Of course, I did my best for four years with lots of challenges in academics and financial aspects. There were times that I almost want everything to stop because I was physically tired, mentally exhausted, and I was pressured, but then, I remembered the reason why I started in the first place, I want to be the first in my family to finish college and eventually help them after I get a job.
Despite everything I have been through, my struggles paid off as I graduated from college, an Academic Scholar, a Cum Laude, and the Class Valedictorian of Batch 2017 of Assumption College of Davao with a Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Mathematics. But the most rewarding of it all was I am the first in the family of two brothers and four sisters who obtained a college diploma and finished college. Therefore, no amount is tantamount to the feeling of making myself and my family proud.”
Awards:
Dean’s lister from 2013 to 2017
Academic Scholar 2013 to 2017
Best Instructional Materials Making Contest
Champion- Interschool Demonstration Teaching
Cum Laude
Class Valedictorian of Batch 2017 in Assumption College of Davao
After graduation, Sir John immediately applied and got hired at the Philippine Academy of Sakya-Davao, where he taught as a Senior High School Mathematics Teacher from 2017 to 2019. Sir John thought that after graduation, the sweetness of life follows, but then he realized that real-life challenges start when you begin earning and working for yourself. Sir John shared, “While I’m working in Sakya, I do a lot of part-time jobs: I was a part-time private tutor of Korean students, a part-time college instructor at the Assumption College of Davao, a part-time Review Master at Care Point Review Center-A Licensure Examination for Teachers and a part-time event host. I worked hard to secure other jobs aside from my full-time job to sustain the needs of myself and my family.
After two years working in Sakya, I decided to explore other schools where I believed helpful for my personal and professional growth. So then, Lyceum of the Philippine-Davao is the second school where I work as a full-time employee. I am currently a Junior College Mathematics Teacher for two years now. I still have my part time jobs while I am in LPU-Davao. Yes, I am still seeking part time jobs while employed full-time, but I have to do it. All of these jobs that I have are essential to me because I am the family’s breadwinner, and being the breadwinner requires lots of strength and dedication to all the things that I do. If years back, we were financially challenged, then I have to do this to uplift our kind of living and provide the things that my family needs. Even though I was so busy with the various part-time jobs that I have, I still excel in what I do and received nominations and awards.”
S.Y. 2017-2018 NOMINATED AS THE MOST OUTSTANDING TEACHER AT PHILIPPINE ACADEMY OF SAKYA DAVAO
S.Y. 2018-2019 AWARDED AS THE MOST OUTSTANDING TEACHER AT PHILIPPINE ACADEMY OF SAKYA DAVAO
December 2020 BRONZE MEDALIST IN THE 2020 PHILIPPINE ONLINE TEACHING EXHIBITION BY CLASSIN.
FEBRUARY 2021 AWARDED AS ONE OF THE TOP PERFORMNING FACULTY
MEMBERS IN THE JUNIOR COLLEGE BY LYCEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES- DAVAO
May 2021 RECOGNIZED AS DEDICATED, PASSIONATE, AND HARD-WORKING TUTOR BY COURSE HERO.
Sir John shared that happiness is not the right word to describe his current situation right now, “BLESSED” is the appropriate one. He said, “I am indeed blessed with all the things that come my way. Everything that comes my way is either a prize or a lesson. A prize if it helps me sustain my needs and helps me improve my personal and professional growth. A lesson if my experience is taking advantage of me while disadvantage to my needs and growth. As of the moment, LPU-Davao is indeed a prize to me.”
When asked about his message to the students despite the situation we are facing right now, Sir John said, “I believe that perseverance and hard work are ingredients to achieve what you wanted in life. Yes, we are all facing an unusual situation today due to pandemic but do not lose your way. Stay focus on your dreams. Like me, I thought that earning a degree is impossible because of the financial difficulties that we have, but I stayed focused on what I want myself to become and what I want to do for my family.
We have different trials in life. We are riding in different boats in the same ocean. Our foundations to overcome challenges are different too. But, our desire for our dreams is what pushes us to overcome the situation. Keep that desire burning, and you will celebrate the result in the end. No matter how hard the situation you are facing right now, remember that God puts you in the situation that he believes you are capable of facing and overcoming. Keep that one in mind.”
My all-time favorite motto is this: “Nothing is IMPOSSIBLE, the word itself says I’M POSSIBLE”.
I do believe that no matter the degree of uncertainty, there is always a light of certainty. Keep the certainty alive to make everything that you wished for POSSIBLE. This might take a year, a decade, or a lifetime to see the light of your dreams but just keep dreaming.”