How great my joy is that all of our sleepless nights have now paid off after years of hardship today we are finally done, and at least we can now repay the sacrifices of the people behind our success.

After I learned about the news that I was qualified as the Magna Cum Laude of the 2O19 graduating class, a lot of people congratulated me and said good things about me like “Ang talino mo naman,” “Ang galling mo naman.” They even told me that I am almost perfect. There was one who asked, “ how to be you po?” How to be me? I am just an ordinary person, an ordinary student just like the rest of the Asteans. But thenI took the question seriously, how am I different from the rest? What did it take me to have been given this honor? Then these:

First, I am a listener. I listen to my teachers all the time. I see to it that I don’t to do what they require me to do. I study, I recite, I prepare my projects well and see to it that I always give extra effort in preparing all my requirements.

Second, I choose my friends well. I see to it that I am in the company of good friends whom I can rely on especially in trying moments of my student life. They are the friends who always lift me when I’m down, friends who I consider to be my family away from home.

Third, I always consider my family as my inspiration. My father is A PEDICAB DRIVER and my mother is a simple housewife. I always tell myself that I have to do my best because my parents are doing everything they can to make my school life lighter to bear. My father wakes up early in the morning to work until midnight, and my mother wakes up early too to prepare the things that I and my siblings needed for school. We may not have the luxuries that others have but we have all the love that we may ever need. We may not have a beautiful house, but we have a home that bound with happiness. The love of my family keeps me going. It is that love that inspires me to always do my best.

Fourth, I trust God. I fully entrust myself to Him. When I am weak, he becomes my strength; when I am in darkness, he provides the light; and when there are hindrances, He always clears the way. I am grateful for all my achievements but I keep myself humble because I acknowledge that I did not achieve them with my own strength but with the help of God. I am grateful for the honor that is given to me today but I am most honored knowing that I have done my best for His glory.

Lastly, I always do my best. I know that I am not the most intelligent but that fact makes me strive to do the best that I can. I believe that it is not just the intelligence that will make a person succeed but it is the way he understands and handles things the right way. I do my best not to impress others, but doing my best has already become a part of me. It has already become my way of life.

How to be me? I am unique and you too are unique individuals. But I tell you, In order to achieve the things that we dream of, we have to humble ourselves and to recognize our need for our family, for our friends and for God.

I will not be where I am now without my mentors, especially TLE instructors who patiently shared their knowledge and skills with us, and who did not tire of cheering, pushing and believing that we can always do better. Thank you for always protecting and reminding us not to belittle ourselves because there are a lot of things that we alone can do best. Thank you for always reminding us that we are greater than what others think we are.

To the College President, Sir Richard H. Cordial, Sir if you can still remember me, I was the student you talked to at the office of the SDS. You chose me to be the first one to use the computer for survey purposes. At that time I felt grateful for the opportunity to be with the College President. But what‘s more amazing is that I saw how you love and care for the students. I think I even saw tears in your eyes while you were talking about your dream for the Asteans. I deeply admire you and thank you Sir for your commitment, for your fatherly concern and for being our inspiration. We are proud Asteans because of you.

To my classmates and friends who shared with me the four fruitful, happy and challenging years in BISCAST, thank you. The challenges and difficult situations during our journey has become easier to face because of you. Rica Pacis, what you said was right I would never have made it here today if not because of our friends. My best friend Louila, thank you for your love and care ; my study group and research group thank you for the moments you shared with me and for always helping me ;Meco, thank you for your encouragement and for making everything lighter for me; my classmates, thank you for your support and love  and for the happiness we shared together. All of you make me proud to be a TLE major student.

To my Tito’s and Tita’s thank you for helping me financially. To my family, thank you for your unending love, understanding, effort and sacrifices for me. Maybe we cannot buy the things we want, we may not have a concrete house, and we may not have all of the beautiful things in the world but, you have provided me the most important things that everyone needs-love, happiness and respect.

To my mother “Mama,” thank you for taking care of me and for the love and support that you have always given me. To my father who is my first love and my hero, Papa thank you for your immeasurable sacrifices. Being a pedicab driver for so many years is not easy but I know that it is your love for us that gives you strength.

Honestly, there have been times that I felt very tired, incompetent, pressured, depressed and weak. These have been the times that the idea of not studying anymore and not pushing hard enough crossed my mind. And in those times of weakness, I always see a father –waiting for me at the pedicab terminal smiling despite his tiredness; calling me and telling me, “uwi na tayo anak para sabay na tayo kumain.” Every time I think of quitting, I would see my father and I would feel guilty and even get mad at myself. Here is my father who for the longest time had been very tired of driving his pedicab but he never complained. He never stopped driving his pedicab. He never stopped my life from going I know that he is already tired and weak but he pretends to be okay so that he could provide us with the strength that we need.

Papa “salamat po sa ilang milyong pedal ng padyak na ginawa mo para sa amin, salamat po dahil hindi ka tumigil, natakot, nahiya at napagod magtrabaho para sa amin at salamat sa pagmamahal at suportang nabinigay mo sa akin. Sobrang  ipinagmamalaki ko na kayo ang naging pamilya ko at ikaw papa ang ama ko.” Never in my life that I felt ashamed because of my family’s situation because I am proud that my father is a pedicab driver.

As stated in my favorite scripture verse,” Yea I know I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak therefore I will not boast of myself but I will boast of my God for his strength, I can do all things.” All glory to God in the highest! He made us this far. I experience so many miracles while I’m studying and I know that behind those miracles is Heavenly Father.

Finally, even though we have all the inspiration and people around us, we can never succeed if we do not first help ourselves. Ultimately, our success depends on us.  My fellow graduates, we are always faced with difficulties but we need to continue and believe that after every sunset is always the sunrise. Let us continue to believe in ourselves even if others do not. Let us make ourselves better because it is in doing so that we can glorify God.

My fellow graduates, parents and sa lahat ng nakakarinig sa akin, let us be courageous to face the world and do our best to meet the expectations of others, pero kapag ginawa natin ang lahat at hindi pa rin tayo tanggap ng ibang tao, cheer up! for there is someone mightier than them, there is someone mightier than the world and it is the Heavenly Father. I know if we will do our best in everything and choose and do what is right in all times, I know we will make Him happy. We will make him proud. And, for me that is the most important thing that I will always consider.

How great this day is! And how blessed we are! Boast not of ourselves but boast on the persons behind our success!

Thank you and congratulations to all of us!

 

SANDRA ESTEFANI RAMOS

Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology

Bachelor of Secondary Education, Major in Technology and Livelihood Education

Pantawid Pamilya Beneficiary

Barangay Bell, Magarao, Camarines Sur

Graduated April 2, 2O19

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In line with the Women’s Month Celebration with the theme: “We Make Change Work for Women,” the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office V recently held an Advocacy Forum on Women and Child Protective Laws and Mobile Photography Contest at La Roca, Legazpi City.

A total of 75 participants from the members of the Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (Kalipi), staff from the Municipal and City Social Welfare offices of Daraga and Legazpi attended the advocacy forum while students from Cabangan High School, Gogon High School, Oro Site High School and Pag-Asa National High School participated the Mobile Photography Contest.

According to Regional Director Arnel B. Garcia, the activity aims to give due recognition to the contributions of Filipino women in the society. He also made emphasis on the rights and welfare of women and girls to the participants.

During the activity, series of forum was held about the Republic Act No. 9710 “Magna Carta for Women” by Atty. Arlene Alangco, regional director of Commission on Human Rights Regional Office V, Republic Act No. 7877 “Anti Sexual Harassment Act” by Atty. Joyce O. Guerero, assistant regional prosecutor of Department of Justice (DOJ) Regional Office V and Online Sexual Abuse by Project Development Officer III Laisa Maoren Desolo.

Meanwhile, eight photo entries were submitted and captured on the same day, showcasing the daily activities of women and in the workforce. Entries were adjudged by Atty. Joyce O. Guerero, Atty. Arlene Alangco, Dr. Rafaelita O. Lucena of Department of Science and Technology.

Criteria for Judging are; Thematic relavance:25 percent; Composition:25 percent; Photographic quality:25 percent and Visual Impact: 25 percent.

Winners of the Mobile Photography Contest are Champion: Jericho R. Licup of Cabangan High School; First Runner-up: Justin Martin L. Olarte of Cabangan High School and Second Runner-up: Zandra E. Arena of Gogon High School. Certificates and Cash prizes were given to the winners amounting to P5,000, P3,000; P2,000, respectively.***G.Lindio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ENTRIES MOBILE PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office V Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) announced that there is a delay release of cash grants to its beneficiaries.

This is because the Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) has yet to secure the permission from the Commission on Election (COMELEC) to procure conduits during election ban. Conduits are responsible for the conduct of over the counter 4Ps pay-out.

According to DSWD Regional Director Arnel B. Garcia, the delay of cash grants will be for two months which starts from December 2018 to January 2019.

“The cash grants will be released on June 2019 as announced by LBP,” he said.

These cash grants are provided to 4Ps poor families to improve the health, nutrition, and the education of their children aged 0-18.

Under the health grant, a beneficiary family receives P500 per month or a total of P6,000 per year. For the educational grant, a beneficiary family whose children are in elementary receive P300 every month, per child. Also, a family with high school students receive a monthly grant of P500 per child.  A maximum of three children are covered in every family under the program.

In addition, an amount of P600.00 per month is provided to a beneficiary family for their rice subsidy.

These cash grants are distributed to household beneficiaries every after two months through LBP cash cards– or through alternate payment schemes such as rural bank transactions through the LBP identified conduits.

Dir. Garcia made emphasis that the delay release of cash grants affects only those household beneficiaries whose mode of payment are through over-the-counter or those being paid through conduits.

He also reminded the 4Ps beneficiaries that they should comply with the program’s conditions: attending the monthly family development session; Children beneficiaries should attend or should reach 85% attendance in their classes and avail themselves of medical check-up and vaccines in health centers.

“We know these grants are needed by the beneficiaries to augment to their daily living. That is why the Department is working hard to ensure that the target household beneficiaries and individuals will receive their grants,” he said.

At present, a total of 363,870 households are beneficiaries of the Program.

For further queries, beneficiaries may reach their respective DSWD Municipal or City links assigned in their area or go to the nearest DSWD Office or send a text message to the Pantawid Pamilya’s grievance hotline at 0918-912-2813.***GANLindio

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As digital technology is at its peak nowadays, reading and loving books are being left behind.

With the aim to encourage high school students to love and put time in reading, a book drive with the theme: Aklat Tungo sa Pagkatuto: Book drive and Youth Development Session was recently conducted by Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office V Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) held at Gov. Mariano E. Villafuerte High School, Pili, Camarines Sur.

The activity is in partnership of the said school, Department of Education and Camalig Bank Foundation.

Almost a thousand of books and journals was donated to the said school benefitting more than 900 high school students, 449 of which are children beneficiaries of 4Ps.

According to Assistant Regional Director Arwin O. Razo, the Department sees the need of the school to have access to books.

“We have solicited and gathered various reading materials to private entities including DSWD staff, to be able to initiate this activity. We hope this would be able to help the school students to keep their mind sharp, and imaginations working through browsing and reading books on a regular basis,” he said.

Department of Education Representative Nora J. Laguda, EPS, encouraged the students and parents to support the said advocacy.

“We believe that getting these books in the hands of these students directly impacts education. Let us work together and raise excitement in reading not only in school but also in our homes. This benefits not only to ourselves but improves the literacy of the whole community,” she added.

School Principal Dr. Edna F. Aladano said the school is grateful to receive the reading materials. “In fact, our library nooks located inside the classrooms are now filled with plenty of books ready to be accessed by everyone,” she said.

On the other hand, a Youth Development Session (YDS) was simultaneously conducted on the said school. The YDS was participated by a total of 42 4Ps high school students.

Said session tackles on how to appreciate oneself and worth. Workshops and reading session was also held to provide the students learning and instill to them the importance of reading. ***GANLindio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Office Field Office V has temporarily suspended the conditions of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to help the affected families of Tropical Depression (TD) Usman.

According to Regional Director Arnel B. Garcia, in the event of calamity, it is DSWD’s recourse to suspend the conditions of the Program. He said the suspension of the conditions of 4Ps allows the beneficiaries to receive their cash grants in full (100%) from the months of December 2017 until January 2018.

“Even if they (beneficiaries) are unable to comply with all the conditions of the program on the said months, they will still receive their cash grants without deductions (100%) as a way to aid the families from the onslaught of TD Usman,” Dir. Garcia added.

DSWD 4Ps reported, a total of 226,428 affected household beneficiaries in  the whole Region, with four provinces declared for suspension of 4Ps conditions.

These Provinces are Albay with 73,570 affected households; Camarines Norte with 31,361 affected households, Camarines Sur with 106,192 affected households and four Municipalities in Sorsogon which are Bulan, Bulusan, Matnog and Magallanes with a total 15,305 affected households.

Pantawid Pamilya

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is a human development measure of national government providing conditional cash grants to poor families to improve the health, nutrition and education of children aged 0-18.

Under the program, a beneficiary family receives cash assistance under health grant of P500 (total of P6,000/year); an education grant of P300 per child per month in elementary or P500 per child per month in High School (total of P3,000.00 in Elementary or P5,000.00 in High School per child per year).

For every household a maximum of three children are allowed to benefit from the Program.

Aside from the monetary assistance, the family also receives P600 worth of rice subsidy per month.

In order to receive the cash grants, the conditions set by the program are: availing pre and post-natal care for pregnant women, parents must attend Family Development Session, children aged 0-5 must receive regular preventive health check-ups and vaccines, children aged 6-14 must receive deworming pills twice a year and children aged 3-18 should have 85% attendance in school.

At present, a total of 363,870 households benefitted from the Program.

Also, DSWD has so far provided a total of P29.241M worth of assistance such as family food packs, malong, blankets, tents, family kits, kitchen, dignity, sleeping, hygiene kits to families housed in evacuations centers or individuals affected by flood, landslides brought by TD Usman.***GLindio-IO-4Ps

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To strengthen the relationship of DSWD with the members of the media, both mainstream and online, the DSWD Central Office together with the Field Office 5 conducted a National Bloggers Tour last September 4 – 7, 2018 in Pilar, Sorsogon

Said activity aims to have a deeper understanding of the programs and services provided by DSWD and better appreciation through the said tour. It also aims to have more good/success stories published at the National and Regional Level.

Also, the tour showcases the household beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilang Pilipino Program whose lives have improved out of their determination and with support from the said Program, local government units and other government partners.

During the tour, local and national bloggers are able to visit Calunggay Elementary School where they are able to interview teachers and parent leaders who shared learnings along basic alphabets and sounds to their co-beneficiaries.**G.Lindio

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The Department of Social Welfare and Development Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Bicol held a Local Government Unit (LGU) Stakeholder’s Conference at Prime Days Hotel, Naga City last August 28, 2018.

The activity aims to provide the status of implementation of 4Ps in Bicol Region to Local Chief Executives (LCEs) of various Municipalities in the Province of Camarines Sur.

According to Regional Director Arnel B. Garcia, the forum is the Program’s way to reach out to the LCEs in order to address their concerns or other issues about the programs and services being extended by DSWD.

A total of 45 participants attended the said activity which includes the Municipal Mayors and other LGU Representatives.

The Municipal Mayors who attended the conference are Hon. Anthony Reyes of Milaor, Hon. Filimon Goyer of Presentacion, Hon. Ace Cruz of Pamplona, Hon. Oscar Borja of Bombon, Hon. Tomas Bongalonta of Pili.

During the said activity, an orientation about 4Ps was discussed by Provincial Link Arlene Fabellare while the status of accomplishments of the program was presented by Camarines Sur Provincial Link Rina Apuyan.

Thereafter, an open forum with the Mayors ensued to address issues on 4Ps and other programs extended by DSWD.

Meanwhile, Social Welfare Officer III Ma. Magdalena T. Magallano presented the various activities, other initiatives conducted by the Program and other issues that needs to be addressed under 4Ps implementation.

According to Dir. Garcia, the same conference will be conducted on August 29, 2018 to Barangay Captains of various Municipalities in Camarines Sur. “Also, the conference was already conducted in Masbate, Catanduanes, Sorsogon and Camarines Norte while Albay is scheduled on September 5, 2018,” he added.

To date, there are 373, 853 household 4Ps beneficiaries in Bicol Region. ***G.Lindio-4Ps-IO

 

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Born in a poor family in Barangay Concepcion Pequena, Naga City, graduating with high honor is the best payback she could give to her working parents who served as her inspiration and hope to continue achieving her dreams to have a good life for her family.

Nineteen-year old Dhonnabelle Cultivo, earns the top rating in her graduating class in Concepcion Pequena National High School. “Para sa inyo po ito Ma, Pa, sa mga kapatid ko, sa sakripisyo niyo para makagraduate ako sa High School [This is for you Mother, Father and my siblings, for your sacrifices just to let me finish High School],” she said.

Dhonna is the third child among the six siblings of her parents Mariel, 43, working in a canteen and Alvin, 45, a carpenter who gets paid of P200.00 per day whenever chances given for construction work.

Since almost all of her siblings are going to school, her parent’s earnings only went to pay all their loans, electric bills and for their daily food, she said she would go to school with almost P30.00 in her pocket only sufficient as fare for her transportation.

“Mahirap po mga pinagdaanan, pero sinikap ko po na mag-top para po may full scholarship po ako sa College [I went through hard times, but I persevere to be on top to have a full college scholarship],” Dhonna said.

She knew she would go through a lot even harder in college having less but she said it will not stop her to enter the course of Geology or Biology. “Yan po ang pangarap ko na kurso, [It is my dream course],” she said.

According to her Mother Mariel, if it needs to triple themselves (parents) to finance their children’s education she would do it. “Pangarap po namin na makapagtapos sila ng pag-aaral kaya po gagawin namin lahat para suportahan sila, [We dream to let them—children finish education that is why we will do everything to support them.],” she added.

Staying on Focus

Back when she is still going to class, Dhonna recalls that early in the morning she needed to carry a huge pail of water to get to school. The Cultivo’s only had water supply in their house last year.

Also, during her elementary years, she said she literally burns the midnight oil in order for her to study.

Her mother also said that buying uniforms may be simple for other’s but for them they consider it as a momentary luxury of giving her children their needs.

“Na-alala ko dati narinig ko yung isang magulang, hindi daw mananalo anak ko sa school kompetisyon nila dahil sa gamit pa nga lang daw na uniform talo na. Ang sakit nun sa akin pero tiniis ko yun. [I remember before I overheard a parent says that my child will not won the competition due to the uniform that she is wearing. It was painful for me but I let it –my suffering pass], Mariel said with tears in her eyes.

Her Family’s difficult situation was even aggravated when her Father had a Pneumonia and at the same time her Mother’s job contract ended.

“Lugaw na lang kinakain namin noon pero basta may laman ang tiyan makapasok lang [We only eat porridge that time, but it is ok so long as we have something on our stomach],” Dhonna said.

Moving Forward

Despite all the suffering Dhonna had gone through, she transform all the pains and suffering into challenges that made her persevere to study more. “Kinaya ko lahat–trabaho sa bahay para makatulong kila Mama, tapos tutulungan ko mga kapatid ko sa homework nila. Tapos, mag-aaral ako kahit gabi na [I did everything—the household choirs to help my parents, then, help my siblings on their homework, then, I would study at night],” she said.

Also, being one of the 368,196 beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4ps) of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Bicol Region, the cash assistance that the family received had augmented their educational and health needs.

“Maraming salamat po, nung dumating po ang programa dun po namin masasabi na nakakabangon na kami kahit paunti-unti. Thank you, when the program came to us, we can say that it is where our life is improving even a little bit],” her mother said.

In addition, Dhonna’s second sibling Alvin is a grantee of Student Grant-in-Aid for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA).

ESGP-PA is an educational grant which gives priority to the beneficiaries of 4Ps by providing them opportunity to get college education, increase their chance to get better employment in the future and ultimately uplift the lives of their family so that they become contributors to national development.

“Sakin po, sobrang laki po ang tulong ng 4Ps, kasi yung totoo po, mayna-aabot na po si Mama na pera para sa projects ko, nabibilhan na niya kami ng sapatos, tapos bagong uniform pag recognition, nabawasan din ung pasan nila sa tuition fee namin [To me, 4Ps is a huge help, because the truth is, my Mother can lend money to us when we have school projects, she can buy us shoes, then, new uniforms during recognition, it lessen their burden where to get our tuition fee],” she said with conviction.

Her Dreams

The fire to learn is still very alive in Dhonnabelle as she takes another challenge in pursuing her college.

Kailangan ko na mag-aral ng kolehiyo para pagdating ng araw ay magkaroon ako ng magandang trabaho at ma-alis ko pamilya ko sa ganitong kalagayan [I have to study in college so I can find a decent job and help my family get out of poverty],” she said when she was asked about her plans.

Like any other young kids, with full of hope and dreams for her future and her family. Dhonnabelle is a fine example of how infinite the possibilities are for people who work hard to achieve their dreams saying “Not all people are given the opportunity to pursue college, but despite how hard the future awaits me, with determination and perseverance I will get my family out of poverty. I know we will not be in this situation for long.”GLindio-IO-4Ps

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