‘Estudyante po’, the voice barely a whisper—exhausted from the late-night study sessions—while firmly clutching a handful of coins. A student’s life has been a series of trade-offs between dreams and survival—and for many Filipino learners, the metal flooring of a traditional jeepney has borne the weight of it one too many times. The frenetic morning commute has been an avenue for students to study for their morning exams or rush a project due before lunchtime.
The academic life of a Filipino student can be likened to that of a jeepney ride between three points. The struggle for a seat in the morning rush mirrors the effort poured into Akads; the destination is the promise of Asenso—the success waiting on the other side of a degree; and the bumpy road is the constant threat of Anxiety—the mental tension from exerting oneself too much.
This precarious trip is shared by millions of young dreamers in the country; however, with countless factors—such as shortage of teachers and classrooms, pressure from expectations, and threats of mental exhaustion—the pursuit of success has never been so hard to reach.
Siksikan sa pangarap
The siksikan manifests itself beyond the commute—it is the tension between too many learners and too little space.
According to Education Secretary Sonny Angara, the country still faces a shortage of 165,000 classrooms, turning the pursuit of fulfilling academic expectations into a contact sport. As passengers elbow their way to a spot on the 15-seater vehicle, students clamber to be recognized, proving that in this system, simply “getting in” is only the first battle.
Moreover, in this journey, Akads becomes the literal pasahe—or fare—to achieve success. With tuition and other costs of education consistently rising, the fare has become a luxury. According to Philstar Global, several Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), especially private ones, are hiking tuition fees this academic year within the inflation rate as costs are also increasing. This fare is beyond currency; it also demands a student’s energy. For many, simply passing courses is no longer enough—one must spend more sleepless nights to ensure they aren’t the one left at the curb.
As the pasahe—in forms of energy and currency—slowly depletes, the possibility of falling short increases with every kilometer, especially when the coins in one’s hand aren’t even theirs.
Daloy ng obligasyon
The ‘paki-abot po’ practice has been recurring for Filipino commuters. Just as a coin travels from the back of the jeepney to the front through the chain of passing it from one person to another, the dream of Asenso is often a passed-down obligation.
For many learners in the country, their dream of a better life isn’t just theirs, it is the collective desire of generations of family members before them. In their palms are coins—pasahe—of dreams their families never got to live, and careers they are now expected to continue.
This is a measurable reality. According to a research article published in the CTU Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development centered on the career preferences of Filipino senior high school students, students often choose careers that suit the needs of their family. Because of their families’ sacrifices to pay for their seat, students feel compelled to fulfill their parents’ academic expectations. They navigate their academics with trembling precision, knowing that a wrong turn would affect their family’s future.
Friction arises when the destination etched on the coin isn’t where the student wants to be; as they desperately try to keep their true passions from falling off the vehicle. The constant tug-of-war begins to shake the spirit, turning a stable ride into an uncertain journey.
Lubak-lubak na daan
Passengers are jolted from their seat when the jeepney hits a lubak—a deep pothole on the road.
This mirrors the mental health of Filipino students—no matter how stable they might seem, repeated jolts eventually break them. And just as these cracks on the road are rarely addressed, the mental health support in schools is also insufficient. According to Education Secretary Angara, there are only 4,069 licensed guidance counselors in the country as of 2022–far short of the more than 50,000 needed to meet the recommended global ratio of one counselor for every 250 students.
Moreover, based on the Mental State of the World report by Sapien Labs, it is revealed that the Philippines’ Mental Health Quotient dropped to 68.76% in 2024 from the 78.44% in 2023. We celebrate the achievements, but we ignore the “wrecks” caused by the potholes of neglect.
To survive these jolts, Filipino students have mastered the art of kapit—clinging to handles of resilience. They have learned to numb the tension by going out with friends, or through prayer. Sometimes, some students begin to treat their mental well-being as a secondary concern, sweeping it under the rug in hopes that it will resolve on its own. This tiis culture, however, is a double-edged sword; it keeps them on the vehicle, but it leaves pieces of themselves behind as they ride.
Ang patutunguhan
As the jeepney comes to a halt, the student climbs down—their limbs trembling and their spirit already shattered. Traditionally, success is measured by physical evidence—like diplomas and medals—but as they take their first breath of fresh air, they see the greater triumph: surviving their journey with pieces of themselves still intact.
However, this survival shouldn’t be the cost of education—of dreaming. It is time that we stop praising students for balancing Akads, Asenso, and Anxiety and start fixing the potholes that require them to stand on shifting ground in the first place. This involves addressing the gap in classroom shortage and mental health support, as well as lightening the generational weight we place on their fragile shoulders.
Only then can we actually ensure that the next set of students who will ride the jeepney won’t have to hold on for dear life anymore, and can finally sit back and enjoy the ride.
Written by Gweneth Pablo, Insight PH
Gweneth Pablo, Insight PH is a dedicated campus journalist and contributor. Their insightful writing sparks meaningful conversations and keeps the community informed.
