JANUARY 15, 2026 — Who says poverty kills dreams? Not this time. Out of 11,420 hopefuls who braved the 2025 Bar Examination, only 5,594 made it. And among those who now proudly carry the title “Attorney” is Golda Meir V. Piñon — once a monitored child under the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), now a full‑fledged lawyer. Her story is living proof that perseverance, grit, and a little help from government programs can turn what once felt impossible into reality.

Golda’s dream was clear from the start. 

“Gusto ko pong maging isang abogado,” she once said.

(I want to become a lawyer.) 

Inspired by her mother’s former employers — both lawyers — she dared to imagine a future that felt like a “suntok sa buwan.” Raised by a solo parent since age four, she quickly learned responsibility as the eldest of three siblings. Life was tough, but she clung to education like a lifeline, graduating high school as Salutatorian.

Her path widened when she became a scholar under CHED’s Expanded Students’ Grants‑in‑Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP‑PA), designed for 4Ps households. That support kept her dream alive. 

But Golda insists it wasn’t just the cash grants that mattered. 

“Napakaganda na may proper monitoring ang 4Ps. Hindi lang basta ayuda. May mga tanong, may gabay, at may direksyon. Sinisigurado nilang ang tulong ay nagagamit nang tama at nagbubunga,” she said.

(It’s good that the 4Ps has proper monitoring. It’s not just aid. There are questions, guidance, and direction. They make sure the assistance is used properly and bears fruit.)

Those Family Development Sessions (FDS) her mother attended taught the family how to budget wisely, prepare for emergencies, and value education. The lessons instilled discipline, accountability, and resilience — the very tools that helped Golda push through years of struggle until she finally reached her goal.

And indeed, it bore fruit. Today, Golda stands as proof that poverty is not destiny. Her success is more than just passing the Bar — it’s about breaking cycles, rewriting narratives, and showing the youth that government programs, when paired with discipline and perseverance, can transform lives.

Who's the next Golda?

How many more Goldas are out there, quietly nurturing dreams that feel like “suntok sa buwan”? How many children in 4Ps households are waiting for their shot at the moon? 

Her journey is a reminder that the government’s role is not just to provide ayuda, but to empower families with knowledge, values, and resilience.

Golda’s triumph belongs not only to her family but to every Filipino who dares to dream beyond their circumstances. It’s a story that electrifies the masses and gives hope to the youth: If she can do it, why not you?

It’s your move now — What’s your dream, and how far are you willing to go to claim it?

(Image: DepEd - San Fernando City, La Union | Facebook)