Today was my brother's graduation. It was also our scholar's graduation.
Some days ago, my brother Joop's batch went out of town to some monastery for a retreat before their high school graduation. When he came home, he told my mom (who told me) about the highlights of the retreat. In the retreat, each of them were given the chance to speak. One classmate, a girl, cried while saying 'Buti pa kayo, makakapag aral sa Diliman, sa Ateneo, sa Maynila, kami walang pangpa-aral sa college...chuchuchu" I didn't get the whole story but the bottom line was she had to settle for some pipitchugin provincial college and will need to work to send herself to school.
There was also one time when her mother came to the school one random day and begged (even the security guards) to help them coz they didn't have money. Since she wasn't a familiar face, the security guards asked her who she knew in the school. The daughter confirmed that the woman was her mom. They had nothing at all. One teacher even said to the girl 'Kuha ka lang ng food mo sa canteen, ipalista mo lang (lagi) sa akin.'
It tugged my mom's heart (and mine too). Since last year, Mom and Dad have been bugging Joop on who among his batch mates need assistance in college. Their choices never passed Joop's standards. There were a handful of students who we think might need help. But with further research, we found out most of them have a parent working as domestic helpers or relatives who already offered to send them to school. Finally, when Joop heard and told us about this girl's dilemma, we knew she'd be our scholar.
It wasn't easy to find her though! The next days after their retreat, she never showed up in school! Not even their grad ball. Friends said she just stayed at the dorm. I bugged my mom (because Joop hates it when I nag him) to look and look and look for the girl. (See, I'm a nagger, sheeesh.)
Today wasn't any different. In the car on our way to school for Joop's graduation, I reminded mom again 'Ma, hanapin mo yung girl ha!' And we did find her. It took my mom and dad the whooole graduation ceremony. They waited for her name to be called and then remembered her face. While the students and 'stage parents' were busy taking photos, mom approached the father of the girl.
Here's their story. They hail from Silay in Negros, she has four other siblings, only the dad and two sibs made it to graduation (yun lang pera nila). They arrived from Silay this morning, will be staying at the school dorm for the night and then going back to Silay. I met the father too. Very polite. And very thankful. I actually wanted to thank him for working so hard to send his eldest daughter to school- even if it's far from their province and despite the difficult life they have.
My dad's theory is that the father is a sakada or a sugarcane farm worker. Silay is an azukarera (sugarcane farm) town so that's pretty logical.
My mom, so funny. She didn't want to talk to the girl coz she might end up in tears! Oh, we also found out she's an UPCAT passer so yes, we're sending her to UP. I don't remember the course but her campus is the one here in Miag-ao. She just needs to fix things because I believe confirmation of slots ended last March 18. UP is pretty considerate when it comes to these cases though.
That's about it. She may not be MY scholar but I'm glad my family has a scholar. She prolly thinks we're a blessing to her but she is, as much, a blessing to us. Today, I am reminded to be appreciative of where I am and what I have. I am reminded that I have no reason to complain. Whatever reasons I have, they are reasons to be thankful, and reasons to keep dreaming, and keep working hard so I can share my blessings.
I have faith in this girl. She is her family's hope. I know she'll do great.
