Getting up after the storm. Kesia Olitoquit, 16, a resident of Brgy. Pinugay in Baras, Rizal Province, has known how to live comfortably as the eldest daughter of hardworking small business enthusiasts. Her father runs a furniture shop while her mother operates a sari-sari store. However, Typhoon Ondoy stripped them off their sources of income when it hit their town in September 2009. Hence, their family had to start from scratch again.

Being a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in 2010 helped them get up again. For her, she learned to value her education more and achieve her dreams so that no more storms can ruin her life again.  Last March, she graduated as valedictorian among 321 graduates of Baras-Pinugay National High School. She’ll enroll in the University of the Philippines – Los Baños and take BA in Communication Arts.***

 

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RISING FROM THE STORM

Kesia’s dream would have been easy to achieve, if not for Typhoon Ondoy that struck their town in September 2009.

Kesia Olitoquit, 16 years old, a resident of Brgy. Pinugay in Baras, Rizal Province, is the eldest of three siblings. Her father operates a furniture shop while her mother runs a sari-sari store. With these sources of income, they never have to depend on anyone to live comfortably.

“Noong bumagyo po, wala talagang natira sa amin. ‘Yung mga machine ni papa at lahat ng paninda ni mama, nawala. ‘Yung bahay namin, semento na lang ang natira. Kinailangan naming magsimula ulit,” shared Kesia.

Her dream suddenly became blurry. But according to Kesia, they’ve found support through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, which came to their family in 2010. If not for the program, said Kesia, life would have been harder for them.

“Dahil po sa programa, nakabangon ulit kami,” she shared in gratitude.

Getting up again

After the typhoon, Kesia’s family became helpless; however, they all decided to move forward.

“Nagsimula po ulit kami. Si papa, itinayo ulit ‘yung furniture shop. Gumagawa s’ya kahit mano-mano kumpara noong dati na malalaking makina na ang meron s’ya,” she shared.

Her father’s profit became the only source of income for the family; hence, they still struggled, especially when it comes to their school needs. Gladly, the Pantawid Pamilya program gave them enough financial assistance to help the family get up again even one step at a time.

“Sa tulong ng programa, laging may masustansyang laman ang aking tiyan. Nakakalahok na ako sa mga programa sa paaaralan at nabibigyan ako ng aking mga pangangailangan,” she shared.

According to Kesia, since most of their needs are already taken care of, the family is able to allot her father’s income for their other needs. In fact, in 2010, they were able to build their house again.

A good student

Kesia’s being a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilya program is not known by most of her classmates. She admitted that at first, she’s ashamed to be tagged as a beneficiary. However, she later realized how the program helps her family, especially in their education, and became proud of it.

“Kapag may nagsasabi sa akin na hindi naman ako mukhang mahirap, sinasabi ko na ‘yun ay dahil sa Pantawid. ‘Yung programa ang dahilan kung bakit hindi kami mukhang kaawa-awa, kasi may sumusuporta sa aming pag-aaral at hindi lahat ng gastusin ay aasahan namin mula sa kita ni papa,” she shared.

Instead of relying from the program, however, Kesia became more determined to improve their life. She makes sure she excels in school and even joins contests where, at times, she receives cash prizes that she uses for her allowance and projects.

Last March 2015, Kesia graduated as valedictorian among 321 graduates of Baras-Pinugay National High School. As she steps out of high school, she knows that a bigger challenge awaits her. However, she’s not losing hope, especially that she sees her parents fully supporting her in chasing her dreams.

“Kung sa high school, na-survive namin na hindi secured ang source of income, hindi na kami sigurado kung kakayanin pa namin kapag nag-college na ako. Ngayon, nag-aapply ako sa iba’t ibang scholarships para hindi na ganoong mahirapan ang pamilya ko at masigurong magiging tuloy-tuloy ang pag-aaral ko,” she said.

In the coming school year, Kesia will enroll in the University of the Philippines – Los Baños and take Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts. For Kesia, she’ll bring with her the inspiration brought by the Pantawid Pamilya program.

“Yung Pantawid ay parang isang malaking tulay para makamit ang tagumpay, isang tanglaw sa dilim at pag-asa sa gitna ng kawalan. Sa aking pagtapak sa kolehiyo, taglay ko ang pag-asa na matutulungan ko ang aking pamilya na magkaroon ng maayos na buhay, pag-asa na katulad ng sinasabi ng programa na kaya ng Pinoy tumawid sa kaunlaran,” Kesia shared with conviction.

For Kesia, when she has a college education, no typhoon can ruin the kind of life she’ll be having. To achieve this, she’ll do her best to study hard today and achieve her dreams one step at a time.***