Beyond the Pain: A Mother’s Strength and a Teacher’s Heart

Mary Ellen Juma-ang Reyes 

Grade 12 - Sartre

Marigold Sarayno Juma-ang Reyes is a woman whose life story shows strength, love, faith, and determination. I chose to write about her because she is someone who inspires people not just through her work as a teacher but also through how she overcame all the struggles she faced in life. Her story is a mix of pain, hope, and victory, and it teaches us that even if life gets hard, we can still stand up and move forward with courage.

Marigold was born on May 16, 1985, in their house at RTR, Agusan del Norte. Her parents are Juan Atriz Juma-ang and Alma Sarayno Juma-ang, and she is the youngest among five children. Her siblings are Junaline Mores, Alvin Juma-ang, Jerwin Juma-ang, and Ariel Juma-ang. Growing up as the youngest, she was surrounded by love and care from her parents and older siblings. Her childhood was simple but full of happiness and laughter. She was raised with discipline and was taught to respect others and value education.

She started studying at RTR Central Elementary School, where she showed an early interest in learning. She was a bright and curious student who always wanted to understand new things. After finishing elementary, she studied at Agay National High School, where she became more confident and outgoing. After high school, she continued her studies at Caraga State University, taking up Bachelor in Elementary Education major in Science. She dreamed of becoming a teacher because she wanted to help students and make a difference in their lives, just like how her teachers inspired her. Later on, she also took her Master’s degree at Mandaue City College to continue improving her knowledge and skills.

Her journey in education wasn’t easy, but she worked hard to reach her goals. Through her dedication and passion for teaching, she achieved many things. She became an Outstanding ELEN Coordinator and was recognized as one of the Best Classroom Implementers in her school. She also joined story writing competitions and even won second place in one of them. All her achievements are proof of her hard work, creativity, and love for what she does. Now, she works as a Teacher III at San Antonio Elementary School, where she has been teaching for 12 years. Her students and co-teachers look up to her because she teaches with heart and patience. She always gives her best in everything she does.

But aside from her career, Marigold also has a personal story that is full of real-life lessons. When she was 19 years old, she had her first boyfriend named John Vincent. A few years later, when she was 21, she met Ramil Reyes, who would later become her husband. They started a relationship that eventually grew deeper and stronger. At 22, she got pregnant with her first child. On May 4, 2008, she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Mary Ellen Reyes. After giving birth, she and Ramil decided to get married, and their wedding took place on September 13, 2008.

Their marriage was not always easy. In the beginning, their relationship went through a lot of challenges. They often argued and had misunderstandings that almost led them to separate. But instead of giving up, they learned to understand each other better. Over time, they became closer and more mature as a couple. When they started serving God, everything began to change for the better. Their faith helped them heal, and their marriage became stronger and more peaceful.

In 2016, Marigold got pregnant again, but sadly, she had a miscarriage. At that time, she was attending a seminar, and while she was walking up the stairs, she suddenly started bleeding heavily. The bleeding didn’t stop, and it led to losing her baby. It was one of the hardest moments in her life. She was deeply hurt and cried for days, but she still held on to her faith and believed that everything happens for a reason.

Two years later, in 2018, Marigold was blessed again. She got pregnant and safely gave birth to a healthy baby boy named Calix Gedion Reyes. It was a joyful moment for her and her family. Having Calix made her feel complete and thankful to God for giving her another chance at motherhood. But in 2020, during the pandemic, she got pregnant once more, and sadly, she lost her baby again. On August 15, 2020, she gave birth to a stillborn baby. The baby had already passed away before being born. It was a very painful experience, but she faced it with courage and acceptance. Despite the pain, she never lost her faith. She believed that God had a purpose for everything that happened.

Even with all those painful experiences, Marigold remained strong. She continued to focus on her family and her teaching career. Many people admire her for being positive and full of energy even after everything she’s been through. She is known for being funny and outgoing, the type of person you can laugh and talk with easily. But at the same time, she’s also strict and disciplined, especially when it comes to her work. She knows how to balance being approachable and being responsible. That’s why everyone enjoys being around her. She’s well-organized, dependable, and always ready to help others.

During her free time, Marigold enjoys dancing and cooking. Dancing makes her happy and helps her express herself, while cooking is something she loves doing for her family. She enjoys preparing food and seeing her loved ones happy while eating together. These small things make her feel peaceful and content.

Looking back at her journey, Marigold Sarayno Juma-ang Reyes has gone through so much love, loss, and lessons. She’s been through moments that could break a person, but instead, she became stronger because of them. She is a reminder that no matter how many challenges we face, we should never lose hope. She believes that God gives His hardest battles to His strongest soldiers, and that’s exactly what she has proven through her life.

Her story is full of inspiration. As a teacher, she has touched many lives with her kindness and dedication. As a mother and wife, she has shown unconditional love and patience. And as a woman, she has proven that strength comes from faith and love.

Marigold Sarayno Juma-ang Reyes is not just a teacher or a mother, she is an example of a woman who keeps going no matter what life throws at her. She has faced pain, loss, and hardships, but she never gave up. Instead, she turned every challenge into a lesson. Her life reminds us that true strength is not about never falling, but about getting up every single time we fall. She continues to inspire everyone around her with her faith, her courage, and her beautiful heart.