(The following piece is a personal testimony of Shaira Joy Edavid, 12 years old, of Brgy. Taytay, Igbaras, Iloilo during the first ever Pantawid Pamilya Family Day celebration.   English translation was made by Alma Jornadal-Estember, Pantawid Pamilya Information Officer)

EACH one of us was born without any notion as to what our status in life would be. But in whatever situation we may have seen our life belong, we should live it to the fullest and trust in God’s mercy.

I am Shaira Joy Edavid, 12 years old and a Grade VII student. I just want to share a story about our family, our life from years back, and how it is now being a beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilya.

People in our community know how poor we are. Papa labors in a farm owned by a rich landowner. Mama stays at home to attend to our needs. Our life may be very simple but we siblings are very proud of our parents because they persist in their back-breaking work just so we could go to school despite of our financial limitations.

There are five of us siblings, all girls. When we were all in the elementary, it was difficult for Papa and Mama to provide for our requirements in school because we only rely on the income from farm produce and livestock.

I still recalled one incident at home when our eldest sister was already in high school. Our second eldest sister was about to start first year high school then. Mama called us and told us that one of them would have to stop schooling because Papa’s income could not support the daily allowance and school needs of two daughters attending high school.

It was truly a blessing when we were later informed that we have qualified as beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilya program. We were all very thankful. Because of Pantawid Pamilya, not one of us had to stop school. Both my eldest sisters were able to enroll in high school, and the three of us continued with our elementary education.

When we were all still in the elementary and life proved very difficult, we often go to school hungry. We didn’t have allowance to buy food. I cannot concentrate in our lessons because my stomach was grumbling. But because of the cash grants from Pantawid which Mama sets aside for our school allowance, we became inspired and eager to attend school everyday. It’s really different when I attend school well nourished because my mind becomes alert and I could easily catch-up with our lessons.

I was also able to join a lot of school activities, the most memorable of which was joining the First Congressional District Sports Association Meet (FDCSA) as a player of arnis. I wasn’t able to win the competition but it’s okay. At least, I was able to experience how it was to compete in such a huge sports competition.

I have just completed grade VI last March. I am happy to share that I was our batch’s first honorable mention. The financial assistance from Pantawid Pamilya encouraged us to study diligently.

Modesty aside, all five of us siblings were academic awardees last March. I attribute this to our parents.

At present, our eldest is on her first year in college. Our second eldest is in third year high school. Our two younger siblings are on grades 5 and 3, respectively. All of us are still in school. I attribute this to Pantawid Pamilya through the financial assistance that our family receives.

I want to say thank you to our government for implementing Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. It’s been helping us a lot. I hope that this program continues so that more poor families like us would also get help.

To all the children like me, remember that education is the only wealth that our parents could give us. Value it and work hard for it so that in the end, we will have a brighter future. This early on, I have proven that poverty is not a hindrance to success. We just have to keep persevering despite of the trials that come our way because God provides. (DSWD6)