Life is something that requires a considerable amount of physical and mental effort to achieve your dream. This is how a young exceptional child Primo C. Pinoy believed in.

Primo as he is fondly called-off by his friends, lives with his parents Primo Sr. and Melinda, 46, in far-flung area of Sitio Bagacay, Barangay Malama, Ligao City, Albay. Their life is a struggle to make ends meet but he does mind. Instead, he has the positive attitude of helping his parents in his own simple ways.

Primo at Home

Being the middle child in the three siblings, the young boy act as the eldest since his elder sister Maryrose, 19, have to be away from them to pursue her studies taking up elementary education in Oas Community College.

When his parents are busy planting vegetables and crops—as the family’s primary source of income, Primo took the initiative of taking care of his younger sister Ara, 13,. He cooks food and do the household chores to lessen the tiring works of his parents. He even helps Ara in her school assignments and projects.

“Sila po ang napakahalagang tao sa buhay ko. Mahal na mahal ko po sila Mama at Papa at ang mga kapatid ko, kaya pinagbubutihan ko po ang lahat ng bagay para makatulong sakanila,” he said.

Primo grew up a young child with lot of love and care from his parents, amidst the difficult situation that their family faces; they still maintain a strong ties and relationship.

“Lagi kong sinasabi sakanila na pahalagahan ang bawat isa, maging mabuti sa iyong kapatid at sa kapwa,” Melinda said.

Although the family cannot able to hear mass every Sunday but they manages to pray together before meals and going to bed. “Malayo po ang simbahan sa amin, pero sinasabi ko sakanila na huwag makakalimot magdasal at magpasalamat sa Diyos,” her mother stated.

Melinda added that he is very lucky and proud of her children. His son Primo at a young age thought of helping them earn extra income.

“Madiskarte siya, siya ang nagsasabi sa amin na sasali siya sa mga contest para kung sakali na manalo ay makakatulong iyon sa aming gastusin. Yung napanalunan niya sa Provincial Search for Exemplary Children na P5,000, sabi niya sa akin Mama, meron na tayo na pambayad, panggastos sa thesis ni Ate,” Marina said while tears fall down in her eyes.

Primo unselfishly gives his little saving from his “baon” as well to her Mother when he heard his parents talking about the finances in the house.

“Lahat ng pwede kong maitulong sa magulang ko, gagawin ko po basta sa mabuting paaran,” Primo said.

Primo in School

Every day, Primo had to wake up at about 4:00 in the morning to help her mother prepare their breakfast. At six, he and his sister had to walk three kilometers away from home enduring the scorching heat of the sun or colds under heavy rain only to get to the school.

“Gusto ko pong makapagtapos ng pag-aaral at matupad ko po ang pangarap kong maging arkitekto,” he said.

This 14 year old young man made his parents as his inspiration to face all the challenges in life.

Currently, he is in 7^th grade in Bacong National High School and excels in academic and extra-curricular activities.

According to Abegail Rengalota, 14, one of his classmates, he is very simple, different, funny and lot of charisma. “Madali po siyang pakisamahan at tinutulungan po niya kami sa assignments o sa lessons kapag hindi namin naiintindihan,” she added.

His school teacher Eugenia P. Villaraza said Primo is very diligent. “He excels in Math and Science subject. And when lessons are unclear to him, he goes to my table to clarify things,” she added.

From the pre-school and elementary years up to present, Primo is a consistent honor student. A valedictorian during his elementary year, and bagged awards, medals, plaque and certificates in joining school trainings and competitions in both municipal and regional level.

He is also recognized for his drawings and inventions. “Editorial cartooning po ang hilig ko, at sa electronics, at mag imbento ng mga bagay-bagay at mag-experiment,” Primo added.

Her mother said during Primo’s leisure time, he grab his paper, color and pencil to draw instead of going out. “Hindi siya yung bata na mangangapit bahay, o tumatambay sa labas, mas gusto niya sa bahay para makatulong o mag-drawing. May mga kaibigan siya pero piling-pili lang,” Melinda stated.

As to his schoolmates, Primo excels in all crafts, he is known in expressing his thoughts through editorial cartooning and arts. He is also talented in dancing. “Pinag-aaralan ko po ang lahat ng bagay para madali ko pong makuha at matutunan,” Primo stated.

Touching lives through his Kindness

Apart from his wit and talent, this young boy touches other people’s lives and spread his kindness not only at home, in school but also to other people in their community.

He uses his talent in drawing to bring smile in the faces of the children in his community. “Gusto ko pong maging magaling din sila sa pagdodrawing,” Primo stated.

He was also able to teach two of his neighbor’s children to read and write. “Hindi po kasi sila nakakabasa at gusto nila makapasa sa exam, kaya tinuruan ko po sila magbasa at magsulat. Tapos sabi ko bibigyan ko sila ng piso, na sobra sa baon ko, pag natuto na sila magbasa ng isa o dalawang sentence sa English. Nakapasa po sila sa exam pagkatapos ko sila turuan. Kaya masaya po sa pakiramdam,” he stated.

More than that, he actively engages in community activities like joining clean and green project in their barangay. “Tumutulong po ako sa paglilinis sa barangay. Nagpipintura kami. Tapos kapag may pa-contest po sumasali ako,” he said.

Hoping for the Best

His 58-year old Father often times told them that he will support as long as he can for his children to finish college. “High school lang natapos namin, kaya ayaw namin na maranasan nila ang hirap ng hindi nakatapos ng pag-aaral. Kahit may edad na rin ako, at minsan nagkakasakit na rin, ang tuhod ko sumasakit na, pero makatapos lang sila lahat, ok na ako,” his Father said.

Primo may have to exert much effort than any other children whose fortunate enough to be provided with everything. But as to Primo, amidst difficulties, everything is possible with God in his side and with due diligence and love for his family he can able to achieve his dreams.

“Nag-aaral po ako ng mabuti para sa magulang ko. Gusto ko po maka-ahon kami sa hirap. Kaya po nagdadasal ako lagi na sana ay makatapos ako ng college at makahanap ng trabaho,” he added.

Indeed, Primo C. Pinoy is an exceptional child in the eyes of his fellow students, parents and neighbors. With his kindness and noble heart it is not impossible that a good future awaits him.***G.Lindio,IO-Pantawid