After nearly two decades of working as a security guard at St. Theresa’s College (STC) in Cebu City, Erwin Valmoria Macua returned to the same campus in a new role — this time as a licensed teacher.
Macua’s journey began in 1997 when he had to stop his Civil Engineering studies in Bohol after one semester because his farmer parents could no longer afford his education. He later moved to Cebu and started working as a security guard at STC in 2000.
His dream of finishing college remained, and in 2013, he enrolled in STC’s Bachelor of Elementary Education program after the school began accepting male students. He continued working full-time while pursuing his degree.
Macua balanced a demanding schedule, working the 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. night shift before attending classes from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Despite limited rest and his responsibilities as a husband and father of three, he became a consistent Dean’s Lister.
STC provided him with a 50-percent tuition discount, while alumni and parents also helped support his education expenses.
In 2017, Macua completed his degree and graduated with a Bachelor of Elementary Education degree as a cum laude. Before attending his graduation ceremony, he finished his overnight duty at the same school where he had worked for years.
While continuing his job as a security guard, Macua reviewed for the Licensure Examination for Teachers and passed the September 2017 LET, with results released in November of that year.
In August 2018, STC hired Macua as a grade school teacher. Students and parents who once greeted him as “Kuya Guard” began calling him “Sir Erwin” as he moved from guarding the school gates to teaching inside its classrooms.
Macua’s journey from security guard to educator showed how perseverance and determination allowed him to achieve a long-delayed goal while continuing to serve the same school community.
