Mother proves dreams have no deadline after finishing degree at DLSU

by Brian Yalung

Dreams rarely follow a straight line, and for Maharlika Rogelita “Rowyn” Subida, the journey toward success was shaped by detours that tested her resolve early in life.

Becoming a mother in her 20s forced her to put her Communication Arts studies on hold, shifting her focus to raising her children and making ends meet.

Despite the life-altering responsibility, one thing never changed—her determination to finish her education someday.

From survival mode to self-made success

At 20, Rowyn found herself navigating motherhood while dealing with financial instability. With her partner earning around ₱6,000 a month, the income was not enough to sustain their growing household.

Determined to contribute, she began making and selling chocolates for ₱6.00 at a parochial school. The small venture gained traction, offering a much-needed boost to their finances.

However, the opportunity did not last. She was eventually asked to stop selling after the school started producing its own chocolates.

Unfazed, Rowyn continued to search for ways to support her family. She worked as a service crew member before landing a job with a record company, where her earnings helped keep them afloat.

Her breakthrough came in 2007 when she entered the recruitment industry through an endorsement from her ex-husband. What started as a job soon evolved into a long-term career.

Through years of persistence, she built credibility and worked her way up, eventually becoming a majority shareholder in the agency—transforming her financial situation and professional standing.

“I don’t believe in poverty. If you’re really poor in life, it means you did that to yourself. For me, I see everything as an open opportunity. You can make something out of it,” Subida said in an interview.

“When life gives you lemons, you can return them. You can do something with them. You can turn them into lemonade or whatever,” she added.

Finishing what she started

Even after achieving stability, Rowyn knew there was still unfinished business—her education. With encouragement from her partner, veteran coach Derrick Pumaren, she finally decided to return to school.

“It was one of my greatest goals. Because it’s really different. It’s not for anyone else. It’s something for yourself—an accomplishment you carry within you,” she shared.

She enrolled at De La Salle University, determined to complete what she had started decades earlier. The age gap between her and her classmates did not matter as she remained focused on her goal.

What made the experience even more meaningful was sharing it with her children, Myers and Mars, as they pursued their own academic paths.

Balancing multiple responsibilities was far from easy, but Rowyn embraced the challenge with discipline and commitment.

“You have to be mentally present. You have to be physically active. As a mom, as a business owner, and as everything to my kids, it’s a must that I have to be mentally, physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually present for them,” she said.

Her dedication paid off in November 2025 when she earned her Bachelor of Arts in English Language Studies from DLSU.

Her thesis, titled “Prospective Migrant Workers’ Language Preference and Language Shift During Internal Migration,” highlighted her academic growth and commitment to meaningful research.

The milestone became even more special as it came just a month after her eldest child graduated in October 2024.

Now a successful businesswoman and degree holder, Rowyn continues to explore new opportunities, including pursuing a master’s degree or entering the teaching profession.

Her journey stands as a testament to resilience—and her message to mothers is both powerful and deeply personal.

“For every mother who wakes up each day carrying both love and worry in her heart, I see you. Being a ‘superwoman’ is not just about strength—it is about sacrifice, about choosing your children even when you are tired, afraid, or unsure of the road ahead,” Rowyn said.

“We often give everything we are to our children, forgetting that the woman they look up to also needs care, healing, and space to grow.”

“Remember this: taking care of yourself is not selfish. When you choose to grow, to heal, and to pursue your dreams, you become the living proof your children will follow,” she added.

“They do not only learn from what we say; they learn from who we dare to become. Let them see a mother who believes in herself, who stands back up after falling, and who never stops learning.”

“Do not lose hope. As long as you live and breathe, your story is not over. There is no deadline on dreams, no expiration date on purpose. Never be ashamed of starting again—there is dignity in returning to school, in choosing education, and in rewriting your future with courage and faith,” she concluded.

“There is nothing wrong with beginning again, especially when you are doing it not only for yourself, but for the children who will one day say, ‘My mother showed me that anything is possible.’”