(Delivered by Rhealyn M. Zonio, a children beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in Diffun, Quirino, during the ‘Pagdiriwang sa mga Pantawid Pamilya High School Graduates’ of the province on April 27, 2015.)

To our respective Regional Director, Ms. Remia T. Tapispisan; our beloved Governor, Hon. Junie Cua; to our respective municipal mayors present in this valuable occasion, our supportive staff of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, co-student graduate beneficiaries, parents, guests and participants, good afternoon!

“Poverty is not a hindrance to success,” this is my realization when I was chosen to give this speech in front of everyone at the moment. Before anything else, Iwouldlike to personally introduce myself, I am Rhealyn Zonio, a proud beneficiary who was assisted by the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in finishing my second level of education. Recently, during our graduation rites, I was awarded as the batch valedictorian. To give you a background, I came from a family who was not blessed with luxury, since my father is a simple farmer and my mother is a plain housewife. Having this kind of situation, my parents still managed to bring us living with good principles and guided with proper values. Amidst the type of economic instability we are facing at the moment, my parents always remind us the great importance and power of education. With this kind of optimism from them, I was encouraged to pursue my studies and was able to understand that education is the backbone of progress.

As an honor student and a leader, there are so many obligations and responsibilities bestowed upon me. There are lots of challenges that come my way. As one of the officers of the Supreme Student Government council and the batch president, it is my responsibility to promote peace and discipline to my fellow students inside and out of the school vicinity and to be a model to my fellow youth. The lack of transportation and financial assistance served as the greatest challenge in attaining my dreams. If I may share, it is our daily routine to walk almost 7 kilometers with my fellow students from Aklan Village to Magsaysay National High School just to reach class. This unfavorable situation did not hold me back to be an achiever instead it served as an inspiration to bring out the best in me.

As I was reminiscing the past, when my family was not yet a member of Pantawid Pamilya, during exams, I can see my parents coming to school asking for promissory. If there are seminars and contested activities, my parents ask help from others so that I will be able to attend the events. In these depressing situations, I never quit and I never say “NO!” even deep inside I know my parents can’t for my expenses, but then as the saying goes, “Lahat ng problema, may solusyon.” I always utter to myself to just go on and consider those challenges in life as an inspiration because eventually, these will make us stronger in life, and I also believe that it’s better to endure the hardships of education than to taste the bitterness of ignorance.

Luckily, way back in 2012, we were chosen as one of the beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya in the municipality of Diffun. I am very thankful for this program because it ensures our access to health and education through the cash grants. Since then, I never saw my parents coming to school with their heads bowed because they can already sustain my educational needs. I was able to pay my school obligations on time and I can always attend seminars and co-curricular activities without thinking where to borrow for the expenses.

Through these school activities, coupled with my efforts, support ofmy parents and the help of Pantawid Pamilya, I was able to achieve the highest award, and I graduated from high school as the valedictorian. With this achievement, all my doubts and fears in entering tertiary education has vanished because of the scholarship offered to me by different colleges and universities inside and out of the region.

To my co-beneficiary students, don’t lose hope in achieving our dreams because our government through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program helps us in attaining our dreams. “Kung kaya ng iba, kaya rin natin!”

Let us study hard and never be afraid to take another step in life. I am looking forward that one day, we will all go back to our places carrying a degree or profession, happily serving our countrymen. Some of us could be an educator or a health professional, others may become a head of a government agency or even a politician, but let us never forget and we should always be proud that we are products of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. “Ipakita natin sa buong mundo na kayang-kaya natin makamit ang tamang pagbabago!”

To all the people behind the Pantawid Pamilya program, and in behalf of the student beneficiaries here in the province of Quirino, I would like to thank you for the support and guidance, most of all, in helping us chasing our once impossible dream. Thank you and may God bless us all.