School-day memories

I was stuck in heavy traffic on my way home from my morning show earlier last week. I realized it was a back-to-school traffic and I was on the road with millions of other students running against the clock, hoping to make it in time for school opening. 

It is interesting to note that this kind of traffic does not happen every day. It’s as if everybody is excited to go back to school. But this enthusiasm gradually dies down as the school year goes on. You can see this by observing the shopping frenzy that happens just before the opening of classes — new clothes, new shoes, new bags, new pens and notebooks!

Unfortunately, shopping for school is not something that all students get to enjoy. I grew up without the privilege of getting to buy new stuff every school opening. In fact, I hardly got to buy anything for school at all. But this did not make me less excited about school. I was not concerned about what I had or did not have. All I cared about were seeing my classmates, my teachers and learning.

A week before school opening, I was honored to be part of a small charity group that distributed school supplies to underprivileged kids in Quezon City. They received materials they needed for school, even coin banks to teach them the value of saving. The event was capped with enjoying food courtesy of Pizza Hut.

On Umagang Kay Ganda, I was also part of Brigada Eskwela. We swept and mopped the floors, and painted walls and ceilings. The aching muscles the day after was worth it, knowing that our efforts greatly helped the schools, that otherwise had very limited resources.  

With those activities, I fondly recall my childhood days and realize how the youth now are fortunate to receive educational opportunities. Back in my elementary days, I went to school wearing slippers and my ate’s hand-me-down uniform, and with only piso in my pocket.

High school was also exciting. It was when I experienced most of my “firsts” — even first love! At that time my allowance had increased to limang piso. During those days, I would borrow shoes from my male neighbor, especially when I joined events like oratorical contests.

College was the best time for me. It was when I learned how to be independent. I made my own decisions and lived at a boarding house away from my family.

All these sacrifices bore fruit. I was a scholar of the Francis Padua Papica Foundation, Inc. If not for the organization, I most probably would have not graduated. That is why I am so thankful to God that He was the one who made a way for me to earn my degree.

I hope the youth now seize the opportunities given to them while somebody works hard and sacrifices just to send them to school. Let these efforts not be done in vain.

Education is important, especially with the world getting smaller and competition growing greater. My mom used to tell me all the time that education is one treasure nobody can take away from me. And with that in mind, I can say that I am truly blessed.