PAVIA, Iloilo — From the historic town of Santa Barbara, Iloilo – the birthplace of freedom, bravery and heroism in the Visayas- comes a modern- day warrior who fights against poverty, illiteracy, garbage, deforestation and illegal drugs. Inspired by local hero General Martin Delgado who fought for freedom, 14-year-old Kaitlinn Cayne “Kikay” Lubrico, a Grade 8 student of Santa Barbara National Comprehensive High School stands for what is right and best to become victorious in her own little way.

“I appreciate the progress in my town, but there are consequences,” Kaitlinn said.

The fast development of Iloilo, especially the transfer of the Iloilo International Airport in towns of Santa Barbara and Cabatuan from Iloilo City, has resulted to the expansion of businesses, massive construction of commercial establishments, markets, malls and even the increasing number of housing development and residential buildings in the area. These contributed to the increase of garbage, deforestation, and selling of illegal drugs in their town.

“I cannot just sit here and do nothing,” she shared.

ADVOCACY FOR ACTION

Kaitlinn is in the frontline in defending the town that is a legacy of her ancestors. She has been helping in promoting the “Basura ko, Ibulsa ko” policy in their school as initiated by the Student Supreme Council (SSC) wherein Kaitlinn is the President. The policy requires every student to keep their garbage in their pockets or pick-up at least five garbage items and dispose these at disposal areas with corresponding labels (Mabubulok, Hindi Mabubulok and Recyclable) before leaving the school premises every afternoon. This initiative is derived from the school’s mantra Stopping Pollution is a Solution.

In her fight against deforestation, Kaitlinn, together with her mother, Romabel, a Parent Leader, and grandfather, Beltran Somblingo, who is a Barangay Kagawad, join the tree planting activity in Barangay Tugas, as part of their town’s annual activity. A variety of fruit bearing trees such as mango, star apple, jackfruit and many others are planted. The area is near the riverbank which is prone to landslides and floods. Cutting of trees, along the area and its neighboring villages, to give way for big housing development projects, was blamed by the residents as the cause of the calamities. However, with this annual activity, there is hope for the future.

Illegal drugs are also a problem as minors get involved. Kaitlinn chooses to be a part of the solution. She is a member of Barkada Kontra Droga, a school-based organization which aims to help students and even out-of-school youth to stay away from illegal drugs. “My major role is to gather the youth and get their commitment to help the group by joining different activities such as sports, bloodletting, feeding programs, waste segregation and disaster response,” she said.

Despite her many involvements in school activities, Kaitlinn focuses on her dream of becoming a teacher. Inspired by her Filipino elementary teacher Mrs. Ninto, Kaitlinn is a step closer to her dream when she accepted the request of Barangay Barasan Este Council, through her grandfather, who is the Chairman of Education Committee, to volunteer in teaching day care pupils during Saturdays.

Every Saturday, she walks a half kilometer to reach the day care center where her 33 pupils wait for her arrival. She has been rendering volunteer work as a day care teacher for almost two years now. Kaitlinn teaches them dancing, singing, writing, drawing, counting numbers, identifying different colors and shapes and nursery rhymes.

“The children’s favorite activity is storytelling,” she stressed. Kaitlinn considers teaching these children as an opportunity. She also wants to highlight the value of perseverance. “I want to inspire kids younger than me. I am not rich, but with determination, I can reach my goal,” she added.

On top of all these, Kaitlinn is also rendering peer tutorial to her classmate, particularly in solving Math problems, and reading Filipino and English books. Her teachers assigned two of her classmates to be her students during lunch break. She helps her classmates without any compensation, nor does she expect anything in return. Moreover, being on top of her class since pre-school up to the present has gained her teachers’ trust and confidence that she, on occasion, act as little teacher whenever they need to leave the classrooms.

“It is my heart’s desire to help the poor because I know how it feels to be one. When I am alone, I remember those days when I acted as a teacher and my younger sister acted as my student. It is my dream to be a teacher because I want to help my parents. I do not want to be poor forever,” she said.

AN INSPIRATION TO THE PROGRAM

Children with a vision, fueled by hard work and determination, are one of the reasons why the government designed a poverty reduction scheme which is the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

Poor households are able to alleviate their status and break the inter-generational cycle of poverty. Now everyone is given a chance to succeed. For Kaitlinn, the cash grants they are receiving for education and health are buckets of gold because in their household, everything is scarce except love, hope and perseverance.

“Some kids are ashamed that they are beneficiaries of the 4Ps because they are labeled as poor. But not me. I am not ashamed. In fact, I am honored and grateful because it is a great help to me and my family,” Kaitlinn beams with pride as she shared her story, hoping to somehow diminish the negative perception of some people towards the program.

“4Ps is not perfect but I am proud to say that it is changing our lives; not only on the financial aspect but our perspective,” she added.

Kaitlinn also said that program opened her eyes to the reality that even if she is poor, she can contribute something to the community. And even if she is young, she is still the hope of our motherland.

No one knows what tomorrow holds, but one thing Kaitlinn is sure of… each of us have the power within to change the world. When you stand up for what is right, and do what needs to be done, and be the best person you can be, you bring out the voice you have inside and bring about a positive change.

After all, not all heroes wear masks and capes. Sometimes, they come in a small package, like this 14-year-old girl, Kaitlinn, who is an advocate for action and holds a vision for the future.//