(Delivered by Jayson Reperuga, a children beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, during the ‘Pagdiriwang sa mga Pantawid Pamilya High School Graduates’ of the province on April 29, 2015.)

Before anything else, let me express our wholehearted gratitude to the Lord Almighty who enlivened us to praise and glorify Him forever.

Respected guests, our parents, fellow graduates, ladies and gentlemen, good morning.

Graduation from the second ladder of basic education is an accomplishment one can be proud of. This is the fruit of our continuing toil and determination coupled with the unending sacrifices of our loving parents and the untiring efforts, guidance and encouragement of our beloved mentors. And now, the long-awaited moment, the culmination of long and struggling days of survival and hardship has finally come at last.

Gentle and sweet breeze as those early summer evenings may have the loveliest time of a day in my life. Long, restless nights before I came to this. Hours and days passed by slowly, I kept my mind occupied. I played a game with myself in which I tried to recall the happenings of each year in life.

In the early years of my childhood, I didn’t quite understand what my role was all about. I always wondered of my existence and why is it that I have to go to school everyday. When I was growing up, I found out the answer by myself. I saw the reality. I knew the kind of life my family has. We are just poor people struggling in this society. Thus, I understood that it is my purpose to help uplift my family from the course of poverty.

That is why, when I entered high school, I set forth my mind the plan which I will be putting into reality with the goal of reaching the success that will become the key for the realization of my purpose in life.

One morning, I woke up early. I was struck with the light of our lamp. I saw my parents busy preparing kakanin,tinudu and kalasukus. My father was the one cooking and does the preparation while my mother is the one who sells. She sells at the market and streets of Aparri. My mother is very popular in our community because of the delicious kakanin she is known to be a hardworking parent. These are the daily activities of my parents and I love watching them because I am assured that they love us so much.

That was also the time that I figured out the hardships and sacrifices that my parents experience everyday just to support us. Sometimes I hear them talking about their aching hands, feet and body. I know making kakanin is not easy. I dreamt that one day, my parents will not do this again.

That was also the time I realized that I must also help them through my own simple ways, so I accepted some friendly jobs and worked as a gardener and an errand boy, so that I can have an allowance for the coming weeks. I also sell kakanin at schools during recess and vacant time.

These became my weekly activities until I became used to it. These experiences became my weapon against struggles in life.   I also devised some strategies to maximize my free time without neglecting my studies. I became more inspired when I became a consistent honor student.

Finally, I graduated as the class valedictorian of Aparri East National High School. This motivated me to do better in college. And nothing can make me happier than giving my college diploma to my parents. This is my ultimate ambition. I know that the achievement I have right now is the result of my parents love, care and sacrifices.

Along with this humble success are different individuals who helped me and my family. I am thankful for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Propgram of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

My family started with the Pantawid Pamilya program in 2012. For four years, the program has been very helpful to me especially in supporting my educational needs.

Yes, the Pantawid Pamilya program helps us financially. Because of this, I became more encouraged and concentrated in my school activities knowing that the government has chosen my family to be one of the fortunate recipients of the program. I’ve never get so much problems on my school fees, not only to me but also to my siblings as well. I can also say that the small business of my parents is already sustainable because their capital is in-tact and they don’t need to spend it for our daily allowance. In this way, I can say that my family is blessed.

The Pantawid Pamilya program also helped my parents in embracing their responsibilities. Part of this program is the conduct of Family Development Sessions which my parents attend regularly. They have learned a lot and our family benefits from their learnings. My parents developed productive socialization skills, enhanced spiritual life and became more responsible to our family.

One of the topics that has an impact to my parents is “Time Management.” Through this topic, my parents learned how to budget and manage their time wisely on things we do in a day, in a week or in a month. Time is one of the most important things in life; it can never be replaced nor stopped. Through FDS, my parents also learned about faith and spiritual education, health and others.

Though I haven’t attended any FDS, my mother makes sure that she shares her learnings to us, so we became more educated and aware on the things that the program wants us to learn and to have.

Truly, it was helpful to us in many ways. For me, the 4Ps does not just stand for “Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program” but it also means “Pagtupad sa Pangarap ng Pamilyang Pilipino.” Thank you to all the people behind this program.

To end, I will leave you a passage from Walt E. Disney that I believe summarizes our journey in life, “All dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” Let us be confident and continue to show the valor for which we will always be remembered.

Thank you and congratulations!