“Ang buhay po ay parang pelikula, pangit man po ang simula, nasasayo po yun kung papano mo pagagandahin ang istorya, para po maging happy ending,” said the ten-year old who wowed audience with her impeccable acting skills.

When the clapperboard kisses each other, she begins to enunciate her dialog with feelings. She moves across the stage with grace. She speaks every line with conviction. Every word she said, strike the hearts of the viewers. No wonder, she was hailed as the “Best Child Performer” during their Theater Arts Acting Workshop.

Brend Faith B. Wakit, is the pride of the Municipality of Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya. Not just that she is known as the localized version of “Maricel Soriano”, but because she can also dance and sing. Aside from her talent in acting, Brend is also a member of Bulo Galsa Primary School’s dance troupe and choir. Because of this, she is often invited to perform whenever there is an activity not just in the school, but also in the barangay.

She is tagged as “The Little Girl with Big Talents” which really makes her parents proud. Brend is a loving and obedient daughter to Mang Aurelio and Aling Dominga. She is also a caring sister to her siblings, namely: Anabelle, Marlon, Daniel and Redeline.

Mang Aurelio sustains the needs of his family, through farming while Aling Dominga is housewife. They are very grateful for the Pantawid Pamilya because the cash grants they receive augment in their medical needs, especially in the school requirements of their children.

 But the greater impact of Pantawid in their life is that, both Mang Aurelio and Aling Dominga became more responsible parents. They toil hard in order to sustain their family’s needs. They also continue to inculcate good values to their children. Despite the financial shortcomings, the Wakit family continues to live a happy life.

“Salat man kami sa pera, may maipagmamalaki naman akong mga gintong medalya ng aking mga anak. Ito ang kayamanan naming mag-asawa,” Aling Dominga gushed. Yes, the Wakit house is adorned with certificates and medals showcasing the intellectual perspicacity and talents of their children, most of which belongs to Brend.

Brend cannot just act. She cannot just sing. She cannot just dance. There is so much more to her. Because greater that those skills, she is a little girl with bright mind.

Since Grade I, she was the 1st Honor. Now that she’s in Grade 4, she continues to gain grades of flying colors. With her excellent academic standing, she often represents her school in different activities, competitions and quiz bees.

Her recent participation were in the Filipino Readathon; Masining na Pagkuwento; TADULKA (Training of Pupils and teachers in Drama and Dula-Dulaan); and Girl Scout Jamboree wherein she brought home bacons.

Brend is also a campus journalist and an officer in their classroom. With all the achievements in her little hand, Brend is more motivated to persevere for the realization of her dreams.

“Kahit mahirap po kami, masaya po ako sa takbo ng buhay namin. May mga taong handa naman pong tumulong samin. Parang sa mga pelikula po, may mga tumutulong dun sa bida. Kami yung bida, ako yung bida. Tapos andiyan yung DSWD, yung Pantawid Pamilya na kasama namin tungo sa kaunlaran”, Brend said. She also stressed that Pantawid gives her a bigger chance of having a brighter future.

“Gusto ko pong maging guro, para ang bawat bata ay maturuan ko. Pero higit po sa mga impormasyon tungkol sa mga iba’t-ibang asignatura, gusto ko pong maikintal sa isipan nila na hindi sila dapat malungkot kung naghihirap sila,” Brend said, with her eyes that shine with hope, “Kasi may mga talento at utak tayong binigay ng Diyos. Yun yung mga gagamitin natin para mas may magandang bukas na nakangiti satin,” she continued.

When the clapperboard kisses each other, she begins to enunciate her dialog with feelings. She moves across the stage with grace. She speaks every line with conviction. Every word she said, strike the hearts of the viewers. Because of her acting prowess, she was hailed as the “Best Child Performer” during their Theater Arts Acting Workshop.

But now, because of her talents and wit that inspire her contemporaries to continue to dream, continue to believe, continue to live despite life’s intricacies and challenges, BREND FAITH WAKIT of Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya is hailed as an exemplary children beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.###By MARICEL B. ASEJO, Pantawid Information Officer II