BUILDING A GOOD FUTURE. Jose Marcelo Dimaandal, 16, a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program from Brgy. Biga in Taal, Batangas Province, is now enrolled in college at the Technological University of the Philippines in Cuenca in the said province. He’ll take up BS in Industrial Education major in Electronics. For JM, though this is far from his dream of being an engineer, he’ll take advantage of this opportunity so he can develop his potentials and finally help his family get out of poverty.
JM is among the 7,983 high school graduates who are beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilya program in Batangas Province.***
**********************************************************************************************
A DIFFERENT PATH, BUT A SIMILAR GOAL
He wants to be an engineer, but he has to forego that dream now.
Sixteen-year-old Jose Marcelo Dimaandal, fondly called JM, has just recently enrolled at the Technological University of the Philippines (TUP) in Cuenca, Batangas Province. He’ll take up BS Industrial Education major in Electronics. Though he knows this will not take him yet to his dream, he is committed to keep going.
For JM, being in college, no matter what course he takes, will help his family in the future. What matters is he’ll be able to develop his potentials to help him land a good job in the future.
“Ayokong mag-aksaya ng panahon, gusto kong makapagtapos ng college para matulungan ko ang sarili ko at ang aking pamilya na umangat sa buhay,” shared JM.
Being inspired to keep moving
JM’s family, from Brgy. Biga in Taal, Batangas Province, is a beneficiary of the DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. According to JM, life is not easy, especially before they became a beneficiary of the program.
“Apat po kaming magkakapatid at lahat kami ay nag-aaral. Hindi sapat ang kinikita ng tatay kong barbero para matustusan ang aming mga pangangailangan,” shared JM.
He admitted that their family struggled financially, especially that they only rely on his father’s income since his mother stays at home.
“Hindi na po talaga kami nakakasali sa mga extra-curricular activities dahil wala na po kaming panggastos. Lalo na po ngayon na dalawa sa mga kapatid ko ay nasa kolehiyo na. Kahit po working students sila, nahihirapan pa rin kami sa gastusin dito sa bahay,” he shared.
For JM, the Pantawid Pamilya program became a big hope, especially for his education. This ensured that his needs in schools are taken care of and he can join in various extra-curricular activities.
This inspired him to study harder and even excel in his classes. Last March, he graduated as First Honorable Mention among 582 graduates of Taal National High School. For JM, this brings him closer to saying goodbye to their financial struggles.
Looking forward
As an honor graduate, JM received a scholarship at TUP. There are no engineering courses offered in the university, but he has to take the opportunity to be in college.
“Ang gusto ko ngayon ay makatapos sa kolehiyo at magkaroon ng maayos na trabaho. Pag nakaipon na ako at nakatulong na sa aking pamilya, p’wede pa naman akong mag-aral ulit para maging isang engineer,” he shared with conviction.
At this point, JM commits to work harder to ensure his scholarship until he graduates.
Taking up a different course now does not ruin his determination to have a better life. After all, his ultimate dream is to help his family get a comfortable life and not let this happen again to the family he will be building in the future.***