Poverty has enslaved them for years. But she conquered it.

They have been living on a hand-to-mouth existence as far back as she could remember but this did not stop 18-year-old Regine Educano of Purok Sigay, Brgy. Singcang-Airport, Bacolod City from reaching her dreams.

Regine graduated as their batch valedictorian this year saying that her weapons are “hard work and determination to finish her studies.”

At the age of nine, she had to stop her studies for a while since the house they were staying at was demolished. They moved around the city to find a place and luckily, after a few weeks, they found a vacant lot in a coastal area where they are presently staying. Her family was able to build a small house, made of light materials.

When everything was back to normal, she enrolled again and continues her studies in elementary. Her parents worked double time to send her to school together with her five more siblings.

Both of her parents are working together. Her mother works as a housekeeper of a rich family in a nearby barangay while her father is a utility worker of University of St. Lasalle-Bacolod Eco Park and only receives a minimum salary wage which will be divided among their monthly expenses including their school fees.

“Sometimes, we have to share two packs of instant noodles or sardines for our meals,” she said.

Fearing that the scarcity in life would force her to quit her studies, Regine offered tutorial lessons during weekends and gave her earnings to her parents to help augment their daily needs. Apart from this, she also joined different educational competitions and shared her cash prizes to her brothers and sisters so they would have school allowance.

Known to be a good and brilliant leader, Regine was elected as a supreme student government president. She also led some school-based organizations and joined some of the city-wide organizations. Academically, she represented her school in the quiz bee competitions and other contests.

GETTING AID FROM A RIGHTS-BASED PROGRAM

Regine found another shield, amidst the poverty that they have been experiencing, in the government’s conditional cash transfer also known as Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. The program provides her education and health cash grants disbursed to her mother every two months to ensure that her and her siblings need for education and health are met.

“I am very thankful that the government has helped us. My siblings and I were able to go to school because of the help of this program. This is also the reason why I study hard because I want to pay back the goodwill of our government” she said.

UNREACHABLE NOW REACHABLE

Regine also said that through this program, it is not far that she will be able to reach her dream to become a teacher.

“I know one day, I will become Teacher Regine especially with the help of Pantawid Pamilya,” she said.

Right now, Regine is still looking for universities and colleges that can grant a scholarship program for her to continue reaching her goal./Montesa G. Caoyonan/dswd6