Having passed the Bar Examinations to enter the legal profession in the Philippines, three former students who were supported through their studies by the Student Workers’ Program share about how the Good Shepherd support they received was foundational in transforming their lives.
The Mountain Maid Training and Development Foundation Inc. (MMTDFI) in Baguio City, the Philippines, is more than just a social enterprise known for its famous purple yam jam and other delicacies; it is a lifeline for thousands of young people from underprivileged families unable to afford tertiary education.
The Foundation — established and managed by Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd — traces its origins to the early 1950s, when sisters were invited to open an apostolate for local Cordilleran youth as part of the Good Shepherd mission to reach out to disadvantaged young people.
Today, a core program of MMTDFI is the Student Workers’ Program, which, since 1983, has empowered young people to break the cycle of poverty through education and holistic formation. Through their own determination and the compassionate guidance of the sisters and partners-in-mission, over 1,000 students have turned their dreams into reality by graduating from its technical, vocational, and degree courses, becoming teachers, engineers, business owners, public servants, and lawyers.
Today, they stand as living testaments to the Good Shepherd’s enduring love to reach out and transform lives. Below, we invite you to read the inspiring journeys of three former student workers who have risen to become members of the bar, carrying the spirit of the Good Shepherd mission into their professional lives.
Drawing strength from her X-factor experiences, Marsha Pasong from Natonin, Mountain Province, successfully passed the Bar Examination in 2025. Her journey began with humble roots when she applied for a student worker position and lived at MMTDFI’s Rose Virginie Pelletier Hostel. However, she credits her experience as a student worker as her “real X Factor” — one that gave her the grit, resilience, and discipline needed to survive both life and law school. The values she gained, which she describes as her “foundational training” for the real world, now serve as her armor as she begins the practice of law with integrity.
Reflecting on her journey, she expressed deep gratitude to the Good Shepherd Community in Baguio, the sisters, and the MMTDFI staff, saying she is “a proud product of the institution” who carries the Good Shepherd mission in her heart. She emphasized that she was not merely given a salary but was taught stewardship — learning finance, literacy, and discipline along the way. From the endurance lessons she learned in the ube section to the holistic spiritual formation of the Student Worker’s Program, she believes these experiences built her battle-tested resilience. Above all, the words of Saint Mary Euphrasia — “Do well all that you do, and you shall be rewarded” — remained with her, carrying her through difficult times and profoundly strengthening her faith.
A true testament to patience, prayer, and discipline is the journey of Jackie Rose Lubbong from Aguinaldo, Ifugao Province, who passed the bar exam in 2025. After completing her college degree as a student worker, she courageously chose to pursue law while serving as a full-time staff member at MMTDFI. The path she walked was far from easy. She often had little time for her family, friends, or even herself, as her focus remained firmly on achieving her dream. There were moments when the thought of “surrender” crossed her mind, especially amid negative comments and discouraging reactions. Yet she refused to give up and instead pressed on with greater determination — “where there’s a will, there is a way”, she says. Through her struggles, she learned the invaluable art of managing her time, finances, and emotions. These lessons became timeless treasures — guiding her as she continues her journey toward future endeavors and greater purpose. “With all of my experiences as a student worker until becoming a lawyer”, she says, “the values I have gained while staying in MMTDFI are to focus on my goal with discipline and gratitude, and to finish what I have started by action and prayer. These, I believe, have shaped me into what I am today.”
Nario Sabang from Natonin, Mountain Province, passed the bar examinations in 2024 — a milestone shaped not only by academic perseverance but also by his formative years as a working student at MMTDFI. Beyond the opportunity to belong to the Good Shepherd family, his experience drew him closer to God and instilled in him the values of independence, discipline, responsibility, perseverance, humility, and faith. Learning to manage his time and limited resources strengthened his character and deepened his self-reliance, preparing him for life beyond the institution. Reflecting on this journey, he shared, “The values I gained at MMTDFI have truly shaped me and prepared me for life beyond the institution… These experiences have equipped me with the confidence and resilience needed to face real-world challenges and pursue my goals with determination.”
Together, the stories of Marsha, Jackie, and Nario affirm that the Good Shepherd mission at MMTDFI is not confined to classrooms or student worker employment but carried forward in lives transformed and service rendered. From the mountains of Ifugao and Mountain Province to the halls of justice, these former student workers embody a quiet but powerful truth: when young people are given opportunity and formation, they rise — not only for themselves, but for the communities they are called to serve.
