He turns every setback into an opportunity when faced with life’s toughest challenges, proving that passion and perseverance can transform obstacles into stepping stones toward success. This #PassionWednesday, we highlight the inspiring journey of Benmar “Moimoi” Adonis Barbas, a Lifeskills Scholar who embodies resilience.
For Moimoi, education was never a straight path. It was a journey of sacrifices and responsibilities that turned him into a resourceful person out of necessity. As a breadwinner since young, he had to put his education on hold to support his loved ones. With his mother’s disability and his siblings working in different cities, Moimoi had to shift his priorities. He had to work multiple jobs, from event coordination to makeup artistry, to support his four nieces and nephews’ education, ensuring they had the opportunities he once had to set aside.
Having to support a family with children is a struggle, the pressure weighed heavily on him as his responsibilities grew day by day. Between his family, his work at the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), and his academics, Moimoi kept moving forward. One passion remained constant: Cookery. Moimoi's interest in cooking began with his family's small carinderia and grew further through his experience in the food industry, solidifying his passion for cookery.
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On February 7, Moimoi officially graduated from the Center for Lifeskills Cookery NC II Program, where he spoke on behalf of his batch of completers where he stated, “This opportunity gives me the hope to dream without hesitation and explore my capabilities towards my passion for cooking.”
After dedicating so much of his life to supporting the dreams of others, it’s his turn to invest in himself. His next goal is to become a culinary teacher—a dream he’s now pursuing.
Through it all, Moimoi finds strength in faith and family. His biggest motivation? His nieces and nephews, whom he wanted to inspire and support in their own education. Every night, no matter how exhausting the day had been, he turned to prayer, believing that even the smallest blessings were proof that he was on the right path.
To aspiring scholars, his advice is: “Never limit yourself. Explore opportunities beyond what you think you’re capable of, because you might just find where you’re truly meant to be.”
Moimoi’s story is a powerful reminder that education isn’t just about degrees—it’s about the courage to build your dream.