My early life and finding the Sisters of Mary
I am Adonis Porto Sulit, a lawyer and a government servant for over 23 years.
“My childhood memories are of living in a simple house that also served as a welding shop. My father was a welder, and my mother took various jobs. We were a family of seven, and life was hard”.
In 1988, my poor family applied for place for me with the Sisters of Mary. After I met the Sisters they were able to accept me. It was a difficult decision for my family to let me go, but it promised a brighter future.
Despite early homesickness, my time at the Sisters of Mary was joyful. I experienced wearing new clothes, playing, and eating healthy food regularly. We never felt poor. The most significant experiences were studying hard, values formation, and reaching one’s potential.
I am the first alumni of the Sisters of Mary in the Philippines to become a lawyer and the highest-ranking government official among the alumni. I currently hold the rank of Undersecretary in the Republic of the Philippines. This is a testament to the nurturing environment of the Sisters of Mary community built by Fr. Al.
Life after school
After high school, I earned a scholarship to study Political Science at the University of Batangas and graduated cum laude. Despite financial challenges, I worked as a full-time university teacher while pursuing my Bachelor of Laws. I became the Class Valedictorian and passed the Bar Examination. I joined the Department of Justice (DOJ) and rose through the ranks to become an Assistant Secretary in 2016.
In 2021, I was appointed Undersecretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). My life has changed for the better, and I am forever grateful to Fr. Al and the Sisters of Mary. As a parent, I strive to ensure my children never experience poverty.
Now, my work involves helping the DSWD develop and implement social protection and poverty-reduction solutions. My life has come full circle. I once experienced poverty, and now I serve those who are poor and vulnerable. I pledge to emulate Fr. Al and the Sisters of Mary by helping others and remaining faithful to this calling.
The future
“I can say that my life has come to full circle. I came from a poor family and experienced hardships along the way. I am now entrusted with the duty and calling to be of service to the people who were as poor as me three decades ago, to people born without riches and material wealth, to people in vulnerable situations.”
I still grapple with the word “poor”, but now in the context of helping the government come up with policies to address and reduce vulnerabilities of people. My work now is to help the entire DSWD bureaucracy to fulfil its mandate to develop, implement, and coordinate social protection and poverty-reduction solutions for and with the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged sectors, ensuring that no one is left behind.
In a way, I should be able to emulate Fr. Al and the Sisters of Mary. I know this is a tall task, but it is a pledge that I make, and I intend to be faithful to it, now and in the future.