LEGAZPI CITY, Aug 18 (PIA) -- While some kids had their family to back them up, Emmalyn Lepiten, 12, of Barangay Washington, San Jacinto, Masbate only had herself and her determination to reach her dreams. And one of that is to finish her studies.
Emmalyn is a beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program under the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
She grew up without her parents and hasn’t even seen them. Her Father had his own family prior to them while her mother, together with her younger sibling, left her when she was only four years old.
“Eversince, Mamay and Papay took care of me and sent me to school (Magsimula pa po noon, si Mamay at Papay na po ang nag-aruga at nagpapa-aral sa akin),” she said.
Her grandparents earned their living from fishing and farming.
“At times, when we had nothing to eat and it is low-tide, I would catch shrimps at the back of our house since we’re just near the shore (Minsan kapag wala kaming ulam at low tide, ako po mismo humuhuli ng mga hipon sa likod ng bahay dahil malapit lang kami sa dagat),” she added.
Despite life’s hardships, Emmalyn learned to be responsible, industrious and resourceful.
“I study hard so that when I finish my studies, Mamay and Papay will no longer be working since they are already old (Kaya po nag-aaral ako ng mabuti para pagnakatapos na ako hindi na po magtatrabaho si Mamay at Papay dahil matanda na po sila),” she stated.
That is why the pantawid pamilya is of huge help to finance her studies. “It helped us in our everyday expenses especiallythat Papay is sickly at the moment (Nakakatulong din po ito sa amin sa pang-araw araw na gastos lalo na po si Papay ay sakitin na ngayon),” she stated.
But, Emmalyn did not consider her situation as a burden. In fact, she was known for being a consistent honor student; she graduated as class valedictorian during her elementary years. During her first year, she topped her class and awarded as first honor at Emilio Lee Lllacer Sr. High School.
Joining competitions like extemporaneous speaking, essay writing, math and science competitions and participated in catechetical activities also honed her to become strong, confident and inspired to do best in school.
She is also part of peer-coaching activity which assists low-performing students. “I am happy helping others(Masaya po ako na nakakatulong sa kapwa),” she said.
However, she admitted a feeling of emptiness for her broken family. “I’m always thinking of seeing my parents and sibling someday but I’m happy that my grandparents are here (Hindi po maalis sa isip ko na sana balang araw ay makita ko ang magulang at kapatid ko. Pero masaya po ako na nariyan si Mamay at Papay, “ she said in tears.
Despite her struggle, Emmalyn manages to be happy turning her sadness and frustrations to inspiration and motivation to do better at home, community or school.
“I believe that everything happens for a reason, even though we are poor, my parents are not around but it should not hinder me from reaching my dreams (Naniniwala po ako na lahat ng ito ay may dahilan, kahit mahirap kami, wala po akong magulang, pero hindi dapat ito maging hadlang para abutin natin ang ating pangarap)”, she proudly said.(MAL/SAA/GNL-DSWD5/PIA5/Albay)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2571471500201/on-4ps-and-an-orphaned-child-s-quest-to-reach-her-dreams#sthash.Ith2z7VC.dpuf
Emmalyn is a beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program under the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
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| “I believe that everything happens for a reason, even though we are poor, my parents are not around but it should not hinder me from reaching my dreams," says Emmalyn. |
She grew up without her parents and hasn’t even seen them. Her Father had his own family prior to them while her mother, together with her younger sibling, left her when she was only four years old.
“Eversince, Mamay and Papay took care of me and sent me to school (Magsimula pa po noon, si Mamay at Papay na po ang nag-aruga at nagpapa-aral sa akin),” she said.
Her grandparents earned their living from fishing and farming.
“At times, when we had nothing to eat and it is low-tide, I would catch shrimps at the back of our house since we’re just near the shore (Minsan kapag wala kaming ulam at low tide, ako po mismo humuhuli ng mga hipon sa likod ng bahay dahil malapit lang kami sa dagat),” she added.
Despite life’s hardships, Emmalyn learned to be responsible, industrious and resourceful.
“I study hard so that when I finish my studies, Mamay and Papay will no longer be working since they are already old (Kaya po nag-aaral ako ng mabuti para pagnakatapos na ako hindi na po magtatrabaho si Mamay at Papay dahil matanda na po sila),” she stated.
That is why the pantawid pamilya is of huge help to finance her studies. “It helped us in our everyday expenses especiallythat Papay is sickly at the moment (Nakakatulong din po ito sa amin sa pang-araw araw na gastos lalo na po si Papay ay sakitin na ngayon),” she stated.
But, Emmalyn did not consider her situation as a burden. In fact, she was known for being a consistent honor student; she graduated as class valedictorian during her elementary years. During her first year, she topped her class and awarded as first honor at Emilio Lee Lllacer Sr. High School.
Joining competitions like extemporaneous speaking, essay writing, math and science competitions and participated in catechetical activities also honed her to become strong, confident and inspired to do best in school.
She is also part of peer-coaching activity which assists low-performing students. “I am happy helping others(Masaya po ako na nakakatulong sa kapwa),” she said.
However, she admitted a feeling of emptiness for her broken family. “I’m always thinking of seeing my parents and sibling someday but I’m happy that my grandparents are here (Hindi po maalis sa isip ko na sana balang araw ay makita ko ang magulang at kapatid ko. Pero masaya po ako na nariyan si Mamay at Papay, “ she said in tears.
Despite her struggle, Emmalyn manages to be happy turning her sadness and frustrations to inspiration and motivation to do better at home, community or school.
“I believe that everything happens for a reason, even though we are poor, my parents are not around but it should not hinder me from reaching my dreams (Naniniwala po ako na lahat ng ito ay may dahilan, kahit mahirap kami, wala po akong magulang, pero hindi dapat ito maging hadlang para abutin natin ang ating pangarap)”, she proudly said.(MAL/SAA/GNL-DSWD5/PIA5/Albay)
- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2571471500201/on-4ps-and-an-orphaned-child-s-quest-to-reach-her-dreams#sthash.Ith2z7VC.dpuf
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