Christian James ‘CJ’ G. Balagtas, 12, is a resident of Barangay San Antonio, Guagua, Pampanga, where he was identified as one of the beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.
Currently, he is a grade VI student at San Antonio Elementary School. He was recognized in their school as one of the deserving pupil last School Year (SY) 2013-2014. But CJ does not just confine himself to the academe; he always grabs every single opportunity to showcase and further cultivate his God-given talent in dancing, which was supported by both of his parents.
Together with his little brother ChevinRoiu, 10, they won: the Grand Prize in the Regional Search for Pantawid Got Talent at Pampanga Sports Complex last October 4, 2015; the 2nd Prize during the Dance Rumble Year 3/Modern Dance at Subic, Zambales, last May 14, 2015; the Semi-Finalist Award in It’s Showtime (Minime edition) last May 5, 2014; the 1st Prize in the Invitational Dance Contest at Marquee Mall, Angeles City last February 1, 2013; 3rd prize in the Mall of Asia Count Down at Pasay City last December 9, 2012; the Finalist Award in the Most Talented Guaguaeno last December 9, 2012; and the Consolation Prize in Talentadong Pinoy at Channel 5 last November 23, 2012.
CJ is the eldest son of Mr. Rogelio G. Balagtas, 34, a guitar maker, and Ms. Marites G. Balagtas, 34, a housewife, and a grantee of Pantawid.
People sometimes mistook that Rogelio and Marites are making profit of their children. Often hearing such, they eventually doubt it to be that way. But then, when Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program came into their life, they were enlightened. They saw that their children had the love what they are doing—their children love dancing. And so they let them do what they love, for they are children, and yet the couple still made sure that CJ and his siblings would value education—a form of Social Dancing.
According to CJ’s mother, when their family became a beneficiary of Pantawid, their morals grew deeper—they became more disciplined citizens. “Pero sa lahat ng natutunan ko, ang pinakagusto kong isalin sa aking mga anak at apo ay ang pagpapahalaga sa sarili, sa pamilya, sa kapwa, at sa komunidad. (But among all the gains and learnings that I had, what I really wanted to relay to my children and my grandchildren is valuing oneself, the family, fellowmen, and the community).”
“Bilang batang Pantawid, kaya ko pong tumawid sa kaunlaran sa pamamagitan ng pag-aaral ng mabuti at pagsisikap na makatulong sa aking pamilya at sa kapwa, tulad ng turon ila Mama (As a Pantawid-aided child, I can cross the path of success through studying hard and striving to help my family and other people, just like what our parents taught us),” said CJ. ### (Andyleen C. Feje)
