“Thank you, Lord. Pasado na, top 2 pa. (“Thank you, Lord. I didn’t just pass, I made it to the top 2.”). Thank you sa lahat ng bumati, nag-chat, at nag-comment. Hindi ko na po kayo maiisa-isa. (“Thank you to everyone who congratulated me, sent messages, or left comments. I can’t thank you all individually.”) ~Maria Adoracion Remo Octavio
Maria Adoracion Remo Octavio, affectionately known as Dory, proudly shared her graduation photo on Facebook, a milestone for many Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who dare to dream. "Dreams do come true," she says.
In the June 2025 Special Professional Licensure Examination for Teachers of the Philippines, Hong Kong domestic worker Dory made history by finishing second. The results were made public last Friday by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
Dory, a graduate of AMA University Online Education (OEd), shared second place with three other top examinees with an impressive score of 89.20%. With a score of 90.60%, Jison A. Reyno of Binalbagan Catholic College achieved the highest ranking.
Dory, who some of her friends refer to as Mariyah, graciously thanked the outcome on Facebook. In keeping with her gentle disposition, she kept her celebration low-key.
She also extended her appreciation to the people who reached out to her.
Humble Beginnings, Unwavering Dreams
Dory's story is incredibly motivating. She was only 23 years old when she left the Philippines in 2009 to work as an OFW in Hong Kong. She was originally from Camarines Sur. Like many Filipinos, she sacrificed her personal goals in order to provide for her family.
Dory, however, was not your typical pupil. Early in life, she shown scholastic promise by graduating as primary school valedictorian. Her love of learning and her ambition to become a teacher remained unwavering despite years of putting in long hours as a domestic maid.
Anyone might have been deterred from going to college by the long hours, the physical strain, and the separation from her family. For Dory, however, the dream persisted.
The AMA Advantage: Supporting Students Anywhere in the World Anytime
Dory took full advantage of the chance to go back to school at the AMA Computer Learning Center in Hong Kong. She was a full-time domestic worker, and AMA's accommodating class schedules, weekend programs tailored to OFWs, and encouraging learning atmosphere gave her optimism that she might continue her education without sacrificing her job.
Dory spent two years attending in-person weekend classes at AMA Hong Kong, where the diploma program was thoughtfully designed to accommodate the particular requirements of international working students. She found an educational system that genuinely took into account the realities of OFWs like herself when she transferred to the Quezon City campus of AMA University under the Online Education (OEd) program. With the help of AMA's self-paced, modular curriculum, easily accessible online platform, and flexible schedule, she managed to balance her rigorous domestic job responsibilities with her studies.
The fact that Dory had to balance job and school for 15 years during her academic career is evidence of her tenacity and willpower. Dory earned her Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd) in 2024 with the help of AMA's foreign support centers, OFW-friendly policies, and accessible online instructors.
A major factor in Dory's success was AMA's steadfast dedication to offering OFWs and working professionals overseas affordable, high-quality education through the AMA Computer Learning Center in Hong Kong and AMAU OEd.
A uncommon chance for many OFWs, Dory was lucky enough to return to Manila in October 2024 to pick up her graduation in person. Her perseverance and AMA's flexible, accessible education enabled her to accomplish a lifelong dream, and her graduation is an inspiration to OFWs worldwide.
The Road to the LET
Dory was prepared to take the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) after years of juggling employment and school. She had to go to Taiwan because the exam was no longer available in Hong Kong following the pandemic.
Her beloved popo, her elderly ward, was initially reluctant to release her. However, Dory won her employer's permission by persistent, patient, and sorrowful efforts.
Dory's efforts were more than repaid when the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) eventually made the official results public. In addition to passing the LET, she also secured one of the top scores on one of the most challenging licensing exams in the Philippines, placing second nationally.
Her accomplishment demonstrated that a determined heart can overcome distance, adversity, and circumstance, and it was more than just a personal success. It was a triumph that resonated throughout the OFW community.
Her tale serves as a potent reminder that no obstacle or distance is too large for someone with bravery and resolve.
AMA Helped Me Achieve My Dream — Even from Thousands of Miles Away
By Maria Adoracion Remo OctavioBachelor of Secondary Education Graduate | AMA University Online Education Top 2 LET Passer (June 2025).
When I left my hometown in Camarines Sur to work as a domestic helper in Hong Kong, I thought I had to let go of my dream of becoming a teacher. Life abroad was difficult, and I believed my chance to finish college had passed.
But AMA University Online Education (OEd) gave me a second chance.
When I discovered the AMA Computer Learning Center in Hong Kong, I grabbed the opportunity. AMA’s flexible schedules, weekend classes for OFWs, and supportive environment made it possible for me to work full-time while studying. For two years, I attended face-to-face weekend classes, and when I shifted to AMA’s online education program under the Quezon City campus, I was able to continue my studies online—at my own pace and from wherever I was.
AMA’s system is truly built for OFWs like me. I was able to balance my job and my education through AMA’s modular curriculum, accessible online platform, responsive faculty, and OFW-friendly policies. They made sure that students like me, working thousands of miles away, could pursue their degrees without sacrificing their livelihood.
After 15 years of hard work and perseverance, I finally graduated with a Bachelor of Secondary Education in 2024. I was fortunate to personally attend our graduation in Manila—a rare chance for OFWs, made possible by AMA’s support and flexibility.
In 2025, I took the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) in Taiwan and, by God’s grace, I passed—ranking Top 2 nationwide.
AMA didn’t just offer me a degree—they provided the pathway to my dream. Their commitment to accessible, quality education for working Filipinos abroad made this possible.
To all my fellow OFWs: it’s never too late.With the right support and determination, you can achieve your dreams—just like I did through AMA.
AMA truly makes it possible to study anytime, anywhere.
A Message of Hope
Dory’s story is proof that distance and hardship can’t stop a determined heart. Thanks to AMA’s flexible, globally accessible programs, OFWs like Dory can now pursue higher education while working abroad.
