“Batid ko na ang bawat isa sa inyo ay nakaranas ng iba’t ibang paghihirap at pagsasakripisyo upang makatungtong sa araw ng ating pagtatapos sa hayskul at ngayon ay binabati ko na kayo dahil sa karangalang iyon,” Alyannah said in her valedictory speech in front of almost 4,000 Pantawid Pamilya high school graduates who attended their graduation celebration at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.

Graduated from Pasay City Science High School as the class valedictorian, the 15- year old student shared how her family struggled in their everyday life and how Pantawid Pamilya program helped her to finish secondary education.

“Naalala ko pa nga noon, kapag sinasabi ko kina mama at papa na may kailangang bayaran sa paaralan, papagalitan nila ko at sasabihing, ‘Gastusin na naman. Anak, hindi naman kami nangingitlog ng ginto.’ Pero alam niyo kung ano yung maganda, sa huli, gagawin nila ang lahat para maibigay lamang yung kailangan mo,” she enthused.

Alyannah is among the 93 Pantawid Pamilya High School graduates in 2015 with academic excellence awards from the cities of Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Taguig, Makati, Pasay and Pateros Municipality, who participated in the event organized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Held on April 9, 2015, with the theme “Pagtatapos Niyo, Tagumpay ng Pilipino,” the event aims to showcase another milestone in Pantawid Pamilya implementation wherein a total of 333,673 Pantawid Pamilya children-beneficiaries nationwide, graduated in high school this year.

The participants of the event who came from the cities of Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Taguig, Makati, Pasay and Pateros Municipality attentively listen to the speech of the event’s guests.
The participants of the event who came from the cities of Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Taguig, Makati, Pasay and Pateros Municipality attentively listen to the speech of the event’s guests.

The event was concluded with discussion on scholarship and employment opportunities shared by the speakers from DOLE-NCR and TESDA and with the opened career booths of the different partners from NGAs and private sectors.

“Huwag nating hayaang mawala ang kayamanang ito dahil tanging mabuting edukasyon lamang ang makakatulong sa atin upang maabot ang ating mga pangarap. Nawa’y sa pagtatapos nating ito ay huwag kayong tumigil na mangarap at magsikap.” Alyannah added as she encourages her fellow students.

For her message to DSWD, she humbly said, “Isa kayo sa naging inspirasyon namin upang makapagtapos sa hayskul dahil nais naming ipakita na hindi kayo nagkamali na kami ay inyong tinulungan (as beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilya program). Hinding hindi naman iyon sasayangin at tatanawin naming malaking utang na loob sa inyo.”

Together with DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, the guests who attended the event are (from  left) DILG Secretary Mar Roxas, DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz , DepED Secretary Armin Luistro, and Ms. Kris Aquino.
Together with DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, the guests who attended the event are (from left) DILG Secretary Mar Roxas, DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz , DepED Secretary Armin Luistro, and Ms. Kris Aquino.

The second leg of the celebration will be held on April 23, 2015 at Smart Araneta in Cubao, Quezon City to be attended by approximately 13,000 Pantawid Pamilya high school graduates from the cities of Navotas, Malabon, Caloocan, Valenzuela, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Marikina, San Juan, Manila and Quezon City.###

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