The determined voice of a 16-year old valedictorian student echoed around the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, in front of more than 10,000 Pantawid Pamilya students and guests during the celebration for the Pantawid Pamilya high school graduates of 2015 dubbed as “Pagtatapos Niyo, Tagumpay ng Pilipino.”

In front of the President of the Philippines, Benigno Simeon Aquino III, DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman and the other cabinet secretaries, David Manansala, from Quezon City shared during the said event how poverty and other challenges molded him to be the person he is right now.

“Akala ng iba napakalaking pasakit ang ating kinahaharap dahil sa lugar na ating kinasasadlakan. Ngunit lingid sa kanilang kaalaman, ang ating kalagayan ang lubos na nagpapatatag ng ating mga puso at nagpapatibay ng ating pagkatao,“ David enthused.

Organized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) central and field office –NCR, the event celebrated the first batch of high school graduates of the Pantawid Pamilya program wherein, more than 330,000 students graduated nationwide. Of this, more than 16,000 came from Metro Manila.

Other guests include DILG Secretary Mar Roxas, NYC Commissioner Gio Tingson, DepEd Sec. Bro. Armin Luistro, TESDA Sec. Joel Villanueva, DOLE Sec. Rosalinda Baldoz, and CHED Chairperson Patricia Licuanan.

As a son of a jeepney driver, David bragged how his father works hard in order for their family to meet their ends as he said, “Mag-isa niyang iniraraos ang aming pamilya at pilit itinatawid ang aming pag-aaral. Hindi alintana ang init, usok, at alikabok sa lansangan at handang ipaglaban ang piso para matustusan lamang ang aming mga pangangailangan. Minsan dumaraing na sa sobrang hirap ngunit hindi kailanman naisip na sumuko. Nagsisilbi niya kaming lakas at siya naman ang aming matibay na sandigan sa pagharap sa pagsubok.”

David is the third of the six (6) children of his parents. With his two (2) eldest siblings who are now in 4th and 3rd year in college, David experienced selling of gelatin at Maligaya High School when his father suffered from nervous breakdown in 2013.

The child shared how the cash grants from Pantawid Pamilya program helped his family especially in supporting his education in terms of complying with the submission of their projects and assignments.

At their community which David described as “Sa isang lugar kung saan dikit-dikit ang mga bahay, maingay at kitang kita ang bahid ng kahirapan, nakatira ang aking pamilya. Lugar kung saan mailap ang kaginhawaan at ang karangyaan,”his faith in God gives him strength to stand.

At the last part of his speech, David said, “Ang buhay ay parang rosas, makikita mo lamang ang tunay na halimuyak at ganda nito kung handa kang masaktan ng mga tinik nito.”

Just like what he did, he never loses hope… instead; challenges equipped him to become a resilient person. He proudly encouraged his fellow graduates to continue the positive changes in their lives because there is a government that is willing to assist families like them.

Now, David will enroll at the University of the Philippines – Los Baños and will take up Civil Engineering to make his dream success come true.

David gives extra value to his education as for him, “talagang mahirap ang mag aral pero mas mahirap ang walang pinag-aralan.”

Among the awards and academic achievement that David received were best in MAPEH, Filipino and Journalism, 4th Place sa pagsulat ng balitang sports in National School Press Conference, 2nd place district school press con in sports writing, 2nd place in tagisan ng talino Pilipino quiz bee District level, 2nd Place Collaborative Publishing district, Most Outstanding Journalist in Quezon City awarded by QC School Paper Adviser Associations, 2nd Most Outstanding Journalist in NCR awarded by Regional School Paper Adviser Associations, 1st place pagsulat ng balitang sports (2014) in Rivals.ph (seminar-contest), 1st Place The blisters (seminar-contest), Treasurer of SSG.

High school graduates with academic awards from other regions of the country were also among the participants of the event.

Also, celebrities graced the activity including Bianca Gonzales, Robie Domingo, Jairus Aquino, Sharlene San Pedro, Lyka Gairanod, Darlene Vibares and Teejay Marquez.

A dance number from Gintong Lahi Dance Troupe of St. Francis of Assisi College in Las Piñas City likewise, entertained the attendees by their performance of various Filipino cultural dances.###