BUGASONG, Antique – The greatest gift of God among mankind is love. Everyone could be in love but sometimes falling in love at the wrong time can pose many challenges.

This was what happened to 15-year-old Mary Grace Edep, of Barangay Talisay, Bugasong, Antique when she fell in love with her prince charming and got pregnant at a young age.

She felt that she brought dishonor to the family as claimed by her parents after knowing her situation. That time, Mary Grace was in Grade 8. She could hardly keep her situation as months passed by because her belly was getting bigger. Despite the fear of what others would say, she courageously confessed to her parents and teachers about her situation.

As expected, her parents got angry at her but they eventually managed to accept her situation because her boyfriend was also willing to stand beside her. She was also even supported by the school and

she was very thankful to them.

Her boyfriend, who works in the Municipal Hall as a job order employee, took the responsibility for providing for the needs of Mary Grace. They eventually decided to live together and were able to build a home adjacent to her mother’s house. Despite the pregnancy, Mary Grace did not stop schooling however, during her third trimester, she had difficulty going to school as her belly started to bulge. It prompted her to switch from face-to-face to modular class.

She drew strength from her friends and family who were her greatest support system during the entire pregnancy. Despite her situation, she managed to finish school until Grade 9 and gave birth to

a beautiful girl last March 28, 2018. She continued to Grade 10 the following year while her child was left under the care of her mother.

Sadly, the situation went against her as it turned out that her child was sickly. Going in and out of the hospital has been a part of their routine and because of this, she skipped her classes. Until she decided to stop attending her classes a few months before the school year ended when her child was hospitalized due to pneumonia.

Her long absences in class placed her on the list of Not Attending school (NAS) for Period 1. She wasn’t able to go back to school and chose to support the needs of her child. With her partner’s limited salary, they needed to compensate for the expenses for their child’s medication. Mary Grace decided to work in a restaurant in Poblacion, Bugasong with a daily salary of P120. She also worked in a pharmacy but it only lasted for five months because her child was again hospitalized. Mary Grace expressed that life for her was despairing every time her child was in the hospital.

Farming is the main source of income for the family. Mary Grace’s father works in the land owned by a private individual in which he has a share of 3-5 sacks of rice in every cropping period. Her mother is a plain housewife and also busy taking care of her other siblings. Her family’s situation could not augment Mary Grace present situation.

To help her boyfriend, May Grace accepted different jobs. He used to work as a farm laborer, did laundry, and even a housemaid in a nearby barangay so that she could bring her child while working.

All those hard work made Mary Grace realize the importance of having a diploma. She said she would not allow her child to suffer the same fate she.

When her child was getting better, Mary Grace decided to return to school under the Alternative Learning System (ALS) as a secondary learner to erase doubts that their cash grants from 4Ps might be put at stake because of her. She knows that the cash grants they get from the program are a big help to her family especially to her other monitored siblings who are also studying.

She managed her time by attending the ALS at the same time taking care of their baby and a small sari-sari store. Her partner is supporting her by motivating her to continue and finish her senior high school so she could enroll in college and work with him after graduation.

“Mahal ko ang pamilya ko. Kahit mahirap kakayanin para maabot ang aking mga pangarap at para sa aking anak.”

Mary Grace believes that despite the challenges, finishing her studies is the best gift she could offer to herself and her loved ones while building her happy family.//