Prior to joining government service, I had taught at one of our city’s private universities. I had devoted almost ten years of my life to teaching young men and women not only computer concepts but also about life. Those ten years were among the most memorable of my life because I felt I had made a difference, no matter how little, in the lives of my students.
However, those ten years were not without disappointments. While I met students who were committed to completing their education and earning their degree, there were also who had little appreciation for education. To them, college is nothing but a formality to a job already promised them by relatives in high government posts.
Memories of one particular encounter with such a student still flashes to mind more often than I want to. That student demanded a passing mark, a grade he did not deserve, because he’s on his last year in college. “I’m on my last year in college, so you cannot fail me in your class,” he told me, ignoring the fact that he failed all major examinations due to frequent absences. I was incredulous, to say the least. Despite his threats, I failed him in class. The class was assigned to another professor the following year and, rightfully or not, the said student passed and eventually graduated.
Why the trip to memory lane, you ask?
I was able to watch yesterday’s episode of Wish Ko Lang which featured, Jimmy Pifia, an admirable young man who is determined to finish his studies despite the hardships he has to face. At the end of the show, I was crying buckets of tears because Jimmy’s determination was a painful reminder of what my former students were not.
Because I taught at a private school, my students – at least most of them – were from affluent families. They were not concerned about their grades or worried about next semester’s fees. They knew they would still be able to enroll regardless of how well or poorly they do in the current semester. They were more worried about not being able to buy the latest car or cellphone.
Jimmy is a high school student from a big family, so poor that he has to walk five kilometers to school, sometimes drenched in rainwater. That is how serious he is in getting that diploma!
He does not deliberately miss his classes that when he does, his teachers worry about him. His school is aware of his family’s predicament but they did not know the extent of their poverty. So one day, his teachers went to his house bearing gift and witnessed for themselves just how poorly Jimmy’s family lives.
His family survives from the vegetables grown from the father’s garden and sold on the streets by the mother. They are so far from civilization, they do not have access to electricity or piped water. They sleep together on the wooden floor.
I just love that Jimmy’s parents are hardworking people. They know they are responsible for their children and must work hard to give their kids the best life they can. They do not rely on other people. When his father said, “Kung hindi ka hihinto, hindi ka mawawalan (If you don’t stop [working], you will never lose [hope]),” I felt the urge to reach inside the TV and hug him.
However, despite his dedication to hiss studies, Jimmy runs the risk of not getting a college degree. His parents would not be able to send him even to a state university. I am glad his teachers took the initiative and wrote Wish Ko Lang for help on Jimmy’s behalf.
And the show delivered!
WKL gave the family a better source of income – a mini-grocery and a popcorn stand where they can use the corn harvested from their own garden. They also provided the kids with additional school uniforms and school supplies. Best of all, they gave Jimmy a college scholarship so he can continue his academic pursuit.
Jimmy and his family have still a long way to go before they can finally free themselves from the grasps of poverty. But I am confident that they would succeed. I know WKL keeps track of how their beneficiaries are doing, so I look forward to seeing Jimmy on the program again to report on his success. And I will celebrate with him and his family when that happens.
Now, I hope other students would emulate from Jimmy. I hope other parents would be like his father and mother who work hard to raise their own family, not blaming the government for their misfortune or expecting anything. If all families are like them, we would be a much progressive country.
