Dreams do come true for 4Ps children beneficiaries

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY—Key Princes Santiago, John Nick Calambro, Leendon Gelborion, Cadet Jehserf Ervich Pacure and Nicole Cagas are some of the children beneficiaries of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) who believe that dreams do come true with sheer determination to be in school and the sense of responsibility to emerge with flying colors.

Key Princes Santiago, 18 from Baranagy Maglinao, Basay, Negros Oriental is set to enter college this year after she graduated in Senior High School with Honors at the General Flaviano Yengko Senior High School in Cavite.

Key Princes’s family is one of the partner-beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in the town of Basay. Her father, Francis Ortiz, is a construction worker and currently working in Cavite, while her mother, Karen Santiago, is a housewife and an active 4Ps Parent Leader in their barangay.

It helped sustained their family through the cash grants they received for the education and health aspect of the family.  “My parents then decided that I study my Senior High School in Imus City, Cavite, because my father is also working as a construction worker there,” Key Princes said.

She narrated that when she was a first-year high school student, she ranked second in the class. But it did not discourage her to persevere because she had to adjust yet at that time. She added that she must continue to study hard and help he mother with the household chores.

The eldest of four siblings, Key Princes, aimed to study and work hard to top her class. She gives importance to education because she believed it is the key to unlock her dreams in life.  While studying, she also worked as a beauty salon assistant to augment her allowance.

“Nothing is impossible if you work hard for your dreams in life. I would always be a proud 4Ps child-beneficiary. The program had greatly helped in sustaining my education. I wanted to be an inspiration to other children who also have the same dreams as me,” Key Princes said.

She said that she wants her parents to be proud of her and be a good example to her three younger siblings.  She hoped she could achieve her dreams in life so she could help her family.

 A young boy’s dream as a teacher

John Nick Calambro is 15 from Barangay Arebasore, Mabinay, Negros Oriental and he wants to be a teacher.  At a young age, John Nick has experienced working at the farm to have food on the table.

John Nick’s parents separated when he was still five years old.  He shared that he has a vague memory of his mother. John Nick and his younger sister, Rhian Mae, would be left in the care of their aunt or his grandfather, who live near their house.

But more often, they would be left alone whenever their father would work at the sugarcane farm.

He did learn various household chores such as cooking, washing laundry, and feeding the chickens in their backyard.

When their family became part of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), it augmented his father’s income as a sugarcane worker, but in 2017 his father left for Cebu with his live-in partner leaving John Nick and Rhian Mae to the care of their grandfather.

“Lisud gyud to kay wala naman si Papa ug wala na siya nagpadala namo mao nga naka-undang ko og usa ka tuig sa eskwela aron makatabang sa bukid” recalled John Nick. (Life was difficult because our father has left us and he no longer send support to us. So, I must quit school for one year to work at the farm.)

With the help and encouragement of the 4Ps Municipal Links (MLs) and Parent Leaders, John Nick returned to school. They also asked John Nick’s father to return the 4Ps cash card from Cebu to Negros Oriental. After the cash card’s return, the ML processed the change of 4Ps grantee from the father to John Nick.

Now, John Nick and Rhian Mae are back to school and currently, their aunt regularly attends the 4Ps Family Development Session (FDS) while he does odd jobs to help his grandfather and selling various kinds of vegetables for additional income.

When John Nick and Rhian entered grade 7, they had to enroll in the neighboring barangay, where the secondary school is because previous school was so far that both have to walk for almost an hour to reach the school.

“Paninguhaon nako nga makahuman og eskwela aron makab-ot nako akong pangandoy nga mahimong teacher,” he said with determination in his eyes. (I would strive to finish my studies to achieve my dream as a teacher.)

John Nick said that being a teacher is a noble job. He admires the dedication and patience of teachers in honing young minds like him. “Bisan paman sa among naagian sa akong igsuon magpadayon gihapon kami sa pageskwela,” he added. (Despite the struggles that my sister and I must face, we will continue to study.)

John Nick is excited to return to school as he moves up to grade 9 in the incoming school year.

Meanwhile, Leendon Gelborion, another 4Ps child-beneficiary from Argao, Cebu graduated Senior High School with high honors recently. “Being a 4Ps beneficiary helps realized my vision towards finishing my studies through hard work and responsibility," he said.

Cadet Jehserf Ervich Pacure, 4Ps child-beneficiary from Liloan, Cebu is at STEM-Maritime Grade 12.  "I'm grateful to be one of the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. To all students who work hard, continue to inspire others, and spread positivity in life," he said.

Nicole Cagas, another 4Ps child-beneficiary from Batuan, Bohol and graduated Senior High School with honors. “A student's life is more of a rollercoaster, full of ups and downs. Regardless of the outcome, it's still an enjoyable ride. With the help of the 4Ps program, I manage to finish senior high school and experience a once in a lifetime journey," Nicole shared.

"I would like to say thank you to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) for this opportunity.  I am so grateful that this program have assisted my family financially.  It is such a big help not only to me, my family, but also to those people in need yet determined tp stufy and become successful," Jethonegy Diacamos, 4Ps child-beneficiary from Talisay City, Cebu who graduated Senior High School with honors.

The government's 4Ps has really come a long way for the children whose simple dream is to finish their education and help their families transcend hunger and poverty. (Photos: DSWD7 FB)