01/05/2026
This Labor Day, we honor the quiet, everyday heroism of those who carry the dual burdens of education and livelihood. Today we meet Merisa Bulitic, a fourth-year Business Administration student at Northern Bukidnon State College.
Merisa first stepped into higher education in 2006, only to have her path diverted by financial hardship and the pressing needs of life. From representing her school as a varsity athlete in regional PRISAA competitions to working for eleven years as a dedicated department store employee in Manila, Merisaโs story reminds us that being "quiet but dedicated" is a powerful form of strength. Even when she returned home in 2021 to nurse her mother back to health, her dream of finishing her studies remained a quiet flame in her heart, waiting for the right moment to be fanned into a fire. Imagine the courage it took for her, at age 36, to secretly take an entrance exam and re-enroll as a mother of two.
By day, you might find her serving as a Student Assistant in the Quality Assurance Office; by afternoon, she is a cashier crew member at Jollibee. Despite the staggering pressure of balancing work, motherhood, and academics, she hasn't just survivedโshe has thrived, consistently earning her place on the Deanโs List and proving to everyone that age is never a hindrance when your vision is clear. When you look at the leadership landscape of Northern Bukidnon State College, Merisaโs impact is undeniable. As the former President and current Vice President of the Quick Response Team (QRT) and a certified DOH-HEMS Basic Life Support Provider, she has turned her desire to help into an Outstanding Leadership Award.
Whether she is representing the school at student leader congresses or managing the rush of a service shift, she carries a profound message: dreams do not have a deadline. Her life is a testament to the fact that while we cannot always control when an opportunity arrives, we have the absolute power to create it through resilience, faith, and the sheer determination to finish what we started.