Evelyn Mendoza, 38, a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in Brgy. Biga, Calatagan, Batangas proudly shows off her daughter Rocelyn’s medals—her proof of her child’s determination to improve their family’s living condition. Evelyn can never be any happier that Rocelyn’s skills will not be put to waste because she qualified to be a beneficiary of the Expanded Students Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation. Her daughter is now in first year college taking up teacher education in Batangas State University—Nasugbu Campus.****

 

 

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The joys of seeing a daughter chasing her dreams

Seeing her daughter’s medals at home makes 38-year-old Evelyn Mendoza both proud and upset at the same time.

“Pangarap talaga n’yang (referring to daughter Rocelyn) maging teacher kaya nagsisikap s’ya sa pag-aaral. Pero alam ko at alam n’ya na hindi namin s’ya kayang suportahan na abutin ang pangarap n’ya,” shared Evelyn, who is a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in Brgy. Biga in Calatagan, Batangas Province since 2010.

Though it breaks her heart, she has already envisioned Rocelyn, 16, working in a canteen after her graduation in high school last March. She completely knows that her husband’s limited income as a laborer is not enough to support the daily needs of their six children, much more support Rocelyn to college.

Gratefully, Rocelyn, as a child-beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilya program, qualified to be a beneficiary of the Expanded Students Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA) starting school year 2014-2015. This opportunity allowed her to enroll in Batangas State University-Nasugbu Campus. She is taking up Teacher Education.

The ESGP-PA is a project of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) that provides grants to members of Pantawid Pamilya households who are high school graduates and are not more than 30 years old.

As an ESGP-PA grantee, Rocelyn receives Php30,000.00 assistance per semester. This covers her tuition, board and lodging and other school-related expenses such as textbooks, uniform and school supplies.

 

The family’s hope

Evelyn admitted that Rocelyn is the only one in their family who is able to reach college. Both she and her husband, who married at a young age, are only elementary graduates.

“Yung mga nakatatandang kapatid n’ya, nag-asawa na nang maaga. ‘Yung isa high school ang tinapos, ‘yung dalawa, elementary. May dalawa pa s’yang nakababatang kapatid na nag-aaral pa sa elementary,” she shared.

Knowing full well that if they have been better educated, their respective families will not be challenged right now. Hence, with Rocelyn’s accomplishment, it is no wonder Evelyn and the rest of the Mendoza family see Rocelyn as their only hope.

“Napakasipag n’yang mag-aral at determinado s’ya sa buhay kaya naniniwala kami na kaya n’yang pagtagumpayan ang buhay n’ya. Alam kong hindi s’ya matutulad sa akin at sa mga kapatid n’ya na inakalang ang maagang pag-aasawa ang magiging sagot sa aming kahirapan,” Evelyn proudly shared.

 

The family’s support

Evelyn recalls how easy it is for Rocelyn to talk about her dreams of a good life—having a stable job, a big home and a few cars. With the assistance her daughter is receiving through the ESGP-PA and the determination she sees in her, Evelyn doubts no more that she can get what she dreams of.

“Napakaswerte ng pamilya namin dahil isa si Rocelyn sa nabigyan ng scholarship. Hindi lang ito malaking tulong para sa kanya. Napakalaking tulong rin ito sa isang magulang na tulad ko na sa wakas ay nakikitang unti-unti n’yang naaabot ang pangarap na dati ay akala namin ay hindi na matutupad,” she shared.

As a sign of her support, Evelyn has always been guiding Rocelyn with her decisions and ensures she does not stray off the right path especially that she lives far from home for her studies. Evelyn also started taking laundry jobs for additional income besides working as a house help. This way, she can help support not just Rocelyn’s needs but the rest of her children, especially the younger ones who are still in elementary.

In exchange for the college assistance her daughter receives, Evelyn vows to support her other children and see them one day to be like Rocelyn who is now closer to her dreams. With the financial assistance from the Pantawid Pamilya program, she knows she’ll be able to support them up to high school, especially now that it has expanded its coverage to children up to 18 years old. Now, what she is working on is to save enough money to prepare for their college education.

“Kaya nilang abutin ang kanilang mga pangarap. Ako, bilang nanay, kaya ko silang suportahan sa pag-abot ng mga pangarap na iyon,” Evelyn shared with conviction.

Seeing Rocelyn’s medals now, Evelyn glows with pride and commitment. She knows that it is with Rocelyn’s college education that will be the start of a good life for their family.with reports from HBBelgica***