Teen pregnancy shouldn't be a hindrance to achieving one's dreams. Just ask Hanessy Teodoro, who got pregnant at the age of 15, and is now a college graduate. She completed a bachelor's degree in Psychology at Arellano University.
The 22-year-old's inspiring story recently went viral when she shared an adorable graduation portrait with her 6-year-old son, Halssy Jay, on her lap.
The devoted mom considers her son her "best friend and companion for 6 years and counting."
"Natatandaan ko pa noon, 2 years old ka pa lang noon noong pinapaalagaan kita sa iba kasi nga papasok na ko sa school," she wrote, addressing her son.
"Ang hirap kasi nagiging busy na ko…minsan uuwi ako, natutulog ka na," she recalled in her Facebook profile photo's caption, which has earned nearly 18,000 shares since it was posted on March 16.
Thousands of comments also started pouring in, including one from another single mom named Wendy, who wrote: "Congratulations! I was a single mom pero deadma sa sinasabi ng iba. Ang importante ano ka sa anak mo at bilang tao. Kayang kaya mo yan."
Netizen Maria Angelica also lauded Hanessy, writing: "Congrats, ate. Sa lahat ng babaeng nabuntis ng maaga isa ka po sa mga nagpatunay na hindi lahat ng katulad niyo walang pangarap."
"I admire you for being so responsible even though you got pregnant at a very young age. Good job and congratulations!" wrote Josie F.
"Gusto ko lang ipaalam na hindi porket nabuntis ng maaga ay wala na agad pag-asa sa buhay at hanggang dun na lang yun..."
In her viral photo's caption, Hanessy also shared how she believes God gave her a son so she would have an ally through life's challenges.
"Siguro nga binigay ka sakin ni God para maging kakampi ko sa lahat ng bagay," wrote Hanessy. "Sabi nga nung iba, hindi daw ako makakapagtapos kasi nga may anak na ko. Pero ito na ko, naka-suot ng itim na toga at karga ang pinakamamahal kong anak."
She also recounted adorable moments when she would bring her son to class and he would just light up the whole room, even making one particularly cranky professor crack up when he greeted him cheerfully.
"Nagtuturo yung prof ko nun at seryoso tapos biglang tumawa pati mga classmates ko nun. Sa sobrang tuwa sayo sabi ng prof ko umuwi na lang daw muna ko at alagaan ka kasi nakikita naman daw nyang nahihirapan ako alagaan ka sa room," she continued.
"Gusto ko lang ipaalam na hindi porket nabuntis ng maaga ay wala na agad pag-asa sa buhay at hanggang dun na lang yun," urged the devoted student and single mom in closing. "Kung gugustuhin may paraan, kung ayaw maraming dahilan. Proud ako kasi may anak akong anim na taong gulang na, pareho kaming pumapasok sa school para maabot ang tagumpay. Mahal na mahal kita anak! Lahat nang to para sayo.. para satin."
READ: School guard and dad of 3 graduates from school he guards with cum laude honors
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