Rhea Bebero Caserva, fondly known as Yang or Lang in her neighborhood and as Rhea or Ate Rhea within MCI, was born on November 6, 2003, in Poblacion, Loreto, Agusan del Sur. She spent most of her childhood in Barangay Basa, Trento, Agusan del Sur. Her family frequently moved from place to place because of her father’s work, which prevented them from having a permanent home. Rhea is the youngest of six siblings and grew up in a close-knit family. Rhea is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Mindanao (UM), where she dreams of becoming a registered nurse and traveling around the world. Despite coming from a modest background, Rhea remained committed to her education. She walked long distances to school, often taking 20 to 25 minutes, and remained active in academic and extracurricular activities. Although it was tiring, her parents always reminded her that “life in the countryside is hard without a degree,” which kept her motivated to study. An introvert by nature, she preferred spending her time playing chess, studying, and helping her classmates. Mathematics and Science became her favorite subjects, and school became a place where she felt inspired, motivated, and supported. School played an important role in shaping her character, as it was where she learned, grew, and developed a strong sense of belonging.
From a young age, she had many dreams centered on helping others. Her strongest dream, however, was to become a nurse—a goal that grew deeper through her hospital experiences related to her mother’s condition, where she witnessed the importance of compassion, care, and service to those in need.Rhea began working at a young age to help support herself and her family. Her first job was as a cashier in a bakery while she was in Grade 10 in Tagum City, waking up as early as 3 a.m. to prepare food before attending classes. She later worked as a household helper in a pastor’s house doing laundry, as a maid during Grade 12 in Guadalupe, Lanang, Davao City, as a sales associate at Podium Multi-Sport in Bajada, Davao City, and as a factory worker at Jafar Company in Cebu City.One of the happiest chapters of her life began when she moved to Davao and became part of the Minority Care International scholarship program. This experience brought her countless joyful memories, especially in 2026, a year she describes as a journey from darkness to light. She deeply values the friendships she formed with her co-scholars—the laughter, support, and shared moments that gave her a true sense of belonging.
Working at the Turkish coffee house also greatly contributed to Rhea’s personal growth. She developed confidence in dealing with customers despite being an introvert, improved her multitasking skills by balancing work and study, and learned the value of cooperation and harmony with her co-scholars. These experiences strengthened her leadership, teamwork, and self-confidence while teaching her the value of hard work, perseverance, and responsibility. She also learned the importance of listening to advice and recognizing her limits, realizing that helping her family and becoming independent should not come at the expense of her health and well-being.One of her proudest achievements was participating in an eyeglass distribution program in Tupi, South Cotabato, where she assisted community members by recording their names and distributing eyeglasses. The experience was deeply emotional, and there were moments when she found herself in tears as she related to the struggles of those she was helping. It reminded her of helping her own mother during a period of temporary vision loss that lasted almost a year. This moment reinforced her belief that even simple acts of service can create a lasting impact and inspired her to continue helping others.
One of Rhea’s biggest challenges was decision-making, but her past mistakes became important lessons that taught her patience, self-reflection, and the importance of thoughtful and informed decisions. Her mentor and teacher, Sir Aland, whom she considers her second father, played a vital role in her growth by guiding, supporting, offering wisdom, and believing in her. He inspired her to grow, improve, and strive to become a better version of herself. His humility, dedication, and genuine care became a guiding light in her life, helping her find the right path. Through his influence, she learned responsibility, discipline, self-respect, and compassion, helping her become a better and more thoughtful person.
Meaningful relationships and life challenges shaped her personal growth. Through trust, honesty, and kindness, she learned the value of genuine connections and the courage to be vulnerable. Facing self-doubt, frequent relocations, and early responsibilities, she became more patient, resilient, and compassionate. Although she regrets some past mistakes, she now understands that these experiences taught her valuable lessons and helped her grow into a stronger and wiser person.Through her life journey, Rhea learned essential values such as resilience, humility, accountability, and compassion. She believes in open communication, honesty, self-reflection, and kindness. She hopes to be remembered not for her achievements but for her genuine care, service, and positive impact on others.
Today, Rhea continues her journey as a nursing student, driven by her passion to serve, heal, and inspire. Her life reflects strength, perseverance, and hope—proof that even the simplest acts of kindness can leave a lasting impact.
