Under the relentless sun and the weight of long, exhausting days on the road, strength often takes on an unexpected form.

In Barangay Urdaneta, in the town of Magallanes in Cavite, that strength looks like a woman gripping the handlebars of a motorcycle, navigating through dust, traffic, and uncertainty, with her head held high and her heart anchored on a purpose.

Rachelle Miraballes is not your typical driver. By day, she navigates narrow streets as a tricycle driver and by request, she accepts bookings as a motorcycle (MC) taxi rider.

The work is far from easy. The heat is brutal, the hours are long, and the income is unpredictable. Yet, despite it all, she shows up, every single day.

“Mas lumakas ang loob ko dahil natutunan namin na ang babae at lalaki ay pantay pagdating sa responsibilidad sa pamilya,” Rachelle shares with confidence.

Her journey is one of deep transformation, extending beyond livelihood to encompass dignity and shared responsibility.

In 2022, Rachelle and her family became beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps, a flagship initiative of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). While many recognize 4Ps for the financial support it offers, its impact stretches far beyond its cash grants.

At the heart of the program are the 4P’s Family Development Sessions (FDS), which are monthly gatherings where parents and guardians are equipped with knowledge and skills to build stronger families.

During these sessions, beneficiaries learn about responsible parenting, health and nutrition, financial management, disaster preparedness, and values formation. More importantly, FDS sparks conversations on gender equality, emphasizing that both men and women share equal responsibility in raising a family and shaping its future.

For Rachelle and her husband, these sessions became a turning point.

Instead of clinging to traditional roles, they began to see each other as partners, working side by side and supporting each other in meaningful ways. Through the FDS and other initiatives such as Gender Sensitivity Training for Male Spouses, families are encouraged to break free from limiting beliefs and embrace cooperation as a path to progress.

For Rachelle, these lessons did not stay confined to a classroom or session; they became convictions she lives by daily.

“Kahit po ako ay babae, ipinagpapatuloy ko ang pagiging tricycle driver at Angkas rider dahil malaki ang naitutulong nito sa aming pamilya. Mas lumakas ang loob mo dahil natutunan namin sa 4Ps na ang babae at lalaki ay pantay pagdating sa responsibilidad sa pamilya at sa iba pang tao,” Rachelle said.

There is power in her words, but even more in her actions.

Each ride she takes is a move toward a better future for her four children. Each kilometer traveled carries not just passengers, but the hopes of a mother determined to provide, protect, and persevere.

Alongside her husband, Rachelle embodies a partnership built on respect and unity, proving that when families work together, change becomes possible.

Her story challenges traditional views on gender roles. It reminds us that courage is not defined by gender, and responsibility is not limited by tradition.

In a world where barriers still exist, Rachelle rises above them, not with defiance, but with determination.

Rachelle’s story is one of grit and grace. Of struggle and strength. Of a woman who chose to move forward, even when the road was tough.

As her engine hums through the streets of Magallanes, one truth becomes clear: Empowerment is not just taught, it is lived.

And she is thankful to the 4Ps and its FDS for teaching her this lesson. (KT)