“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 sixteen-year old who wowed the 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 audience. With her quick wit, she responded to the judges’ question with brilliance. No wonder, she was hailed as the most exemplary Pantawid Pamilya child in last year’s search.

Rachel Joyce R. Tattao, is the pride of the Municipality of Jones, Province of Isabela. She is known as the girl endowed with talents because aside from her acting skills, she can also dance and sing. Rachel is also often invited to perform whenever there is an activity not just in the school, but also in their barangay. She also displays athleticism as a volleyball player of their school.

All of these achievements really make her parents proud. Rachel is a loving and obedient daughter to Mang Ralph and Aling Imelda. She is also a caring sister to her siblings, namely: Rae Christian, 15, and Rocell Jhon, 13.

Mang Ralph and Aling Imelda make both ends meets through the income they receive as farmers. 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 Ralph and Aling Imelda 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 Tattao 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 Imelda said. Yes, the Tattao’s house is adorned with certificates and medals showcasing the intellectual perspicacity and talents of their children, most of which belongs to Rachel.

Rachel 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.

As a student, 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.

Rachel is also a campus journalist and an officer in their classroom. With all the achievements in her little hand, Rachel is more motivated to persevere for the realization of her dreams, especially when she graduated at the top of her class as the valedictorian of Sgt. Prospero G. Bello High School.

“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”, she 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,” Rachel gushed, 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.

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, Rachel Joyce Tattao is truly an exemplary Pantawid Pamilya child. And needless to say, her star now shines the brightest. ###By MARICEL B. ASEJO, Pantawid Information Officer II