“I Can Succeed”, a Pantawid Pamilya Story of Determination

“I can succeed”, claimed Christine Garrido of Barangay Nangka, Bayawan City. She grew up enduring poverty everyday but this strong-willed lass has never considered herself as poor because she believed that only those who do not dream are poor.

Christine dreamed of becoming a lawyer someday. She recently finished high school as the first honorable mention along with the Best in English and Best in Filipino awards. Adding feathers to her cap include the Extemporaneous speaker award, Technology, Livelihood, and Economics award, and the Service award. Christine has also represented her school to numerous interschool competitions like Math and Science Quiz bowls, among others.

She was the Editor-in-Chief of the Atilano Cabangal school paper from first year to fourth year. She was Supreme Student Government President and Class President for three consecutive years aside from her four year stint as Chairman of the School’s Program Committee. Despite her many responsibilities in school Christine still finds time in joining community activities like the Bayanihan and Bayawanihan Challenge, which builds houses for the homeless.

Meanwhile, Christine credits all her success to her family most especially to her mother and father who did everything to send her and her siblings to school.

Christines father, Nicanor, had to leave them to till his small farmland in Sagay City, Negros Occidental to feed the family. Also, Nicanor takes care of his aging father; he regularly sends money to her wife.

Meanwhile, Christine describes her mother Sonia as a plain housewife but was quick to add that she helps make ends meet by selling vegetables from the family’s very own backyard.

“I saw and appreciate the sacrifices they have done, that’s why I value every single centavo I have because I know how our parents struggled to earn it. My good grade in school is also my way of compensating their efforts,” Christine shared.

Aware of the family’s situation, Christine also worked part-time in catering services, she does table skirting and arrangements to earn extra income.

“Life was difficult and full of struggles but I consider it as challenges. These challenges will only measure how strong I am and I’m not giving up. I will strive harder to succeed,” explained Christine.

Moreover, Christine pointed out that behind her success is the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, a conditional cash transfer of the Philippine government that invests in the health and education of less privilege children aged 0-18.

“My mother was able to buy me new school uniforms, she was also able to monetarily support me during school competitions. My mom has gotten me a savings account under my name in Dumaguete City Credit Cooperative wherein every payout, she spares P500-700 and deposit the money in my account for me to use in the future,” she added.

“I know that my achievement does not end here. After I graduated from high school, I will not stop dreaming because I consider high school graduation as a start of something new- a new journey to success. I know it’s difficult but I believe that challenges are made because God wants to punish us, but it is created to measure our patience, perseverance, and faith as we fight in the battlefield of life,” Christine disclosed.

Christine wants to take up Political Science in line with her dream of becoming a lawyer. However, she might have to set aside Political Science because the course in not offered in Negros Oriental State University (NORSU)-Bayawan City Campus, where she plans to enroll.

“I might have to take a course in Education but I will still pursue my dream of becoming a lawyer,” said Christine beaming with determination.

She is currently busy applying for scholarships as her savings might not be enough to finance her college studies.

Christine is among the 333,673 student-beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya nationwide who recently graduated from high school. (Phoebe Jen Indino-Pantawid Pamilya Information Officer)