Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan. – Dr. Jose P. Rizal

“Ito ay isang patotoo na maaari nating gamitin upang makamit ang inaasam na kaunlaran,” thus said Jerry Mariano, Jr., 14 years old, grade 9 student of Ligaya National High School in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija.

True to what he believes, Jerry, Jr has been an active student in both academic and extra-curricular activities in his school. He stood out among his classmates when he claimed the 4th spot from his batch. He has maintained a balance in his studies and in his active involvement other school activities.

His love for Math was shown in some quiz bees that he joined. He has also developed his talent in dancing and poster making by joining school competitions. His inclination to arts is being maximized through various competitions in poster making contests that he joined. He considers it as one way of expressing his feelings and ideas about the beauty of God’s creation.

At a very young age Jerry, Jr has already discovered his love for nature. When he joined a contest on “mother nature” he said that it was tough but he was able to relay the importance of protecting and conserving the beauty and integrity of the environment.

As he grows older, he becomes more inclined to music and dance. He plays instruments whenever he wants to get an inspiration or relieve anything that bothers him.

Jerry, Jr is not an ordinary boy who only wants to go to school just for the sake of being there. He has a big dream to fulfill. He has shown interest in school since day care days and up to now he pursues his studies by doing his best in academic and active participation in extra-curricular activities. His one of the memorable events in his high school life was during the recognition in his grade 8. He was top 2 of his class as a result of his hard work. His family supports him all the way in all his endeavors.

What makes him different from other boys his age is that Jerry is a beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. His family belongs to Set I as their municipality is one of the poorest municipalities in the Province of Nueva Ecija.

Jerry, Jr was born from a typical family with his father as the main breadwinner who works as a mechanic earning P500.00 a day on an irregular basis. According to his father, Jerry Sr, “Mapalad na ako kung may trabaho ako ng lima hanggang sampung beses sa loob ng isang buwan.”

With his meager income, Jerry, Sr said that before it was impossible for them to raise his four children. Until Pantawid Pamilya came, “Laking pasasalamat namin at nakasali kami sa Pantawid dahil may kaantabay na kami sa pagtustos ng mga gastusin ng mga anak namin lalo na sa kanilang pag-aaral,” Jerry, Sr claimed.

Jerry, Jr’s mother Norilyn, 34 and a high school graduate was one of the first Pantawid Pamilya parent leaders in their community. The confidence and determination that she had developed as a parent leader had earned the respect of her members. However, she opted to work abroad in 2014 because she wanted to help her children finish college. She earns P16,000 a month and her salaries for the first few months were used in settling the debts incurred in processing her papers in going to Saudi Arabia to work as a domestic helper. She can now send money to her the family in varying amount.

Meanwhile, Jerry Sr has assumed Norilyn’s role as a parent leader and a community health worker. Municipal Link Raymond De Fiesta said that, “Hanga ako sa kanya dahil tinanggap niya ang hamon ng pagiging parent leader at siya ay talagang nakakatulong lalo na sa pagmomonitor ng mga myembrong medyo pasaway. Kung paaano sinusunod at nirerespeto si Norilyn ng mga miyembro ay ganoon din ang trato sa kanya.”

“Hindi naging madali ang aking pag-aaral dahil sa kahirapan nguni’t hindi ito nagging hadlang lalo na at kasama naming ang Pantawid Pamilya. Makakatawid kami sa kahirapan patungo sa kaunlaran sa pamamagitan ng pag-aaral na mabuti, magtiyaga kahit maraming pagsubok sa buhay at huwag makalimot tumawag sa Panginoon. Sa pagiging mabuting anak na nag-aaral na mabuti ang ang susi sa tagumpay sa tulong ng ating Pantawid kayang-kaya nating tumawid sa kaunlaran,” Jerry, Jr. concluded. ###