What can you say about visually impaired Minnie Aveline Juan who's graduating as the class valedictorian and first-ever summa cum laude of Virgen Milagrosa Univ

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: The law of compensation is at its best in the case of Minnie Aveline Juan. She had lost her sense of sight but made the best of what she had left. 

Kelvin Casamayor, Ilocos Sur: She proved to all that we are not to be pushed by our problems but be led by our dreams. She is truly a woman of faith, hope, courage, and determination. 

She deserves the honor

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: I cannot imagine the difficulties Ms. Juan had to go through in all her undertakings, but she made it. And she made it big! I am cheering for you, Ms. Juan. Hear the cheers of your countrymen and imagine them standing up for you. 

Rose Leobrera, Manila: Her achievement is indeed extraordinary as her disability never became a hindrance to success. For sure, finding a job will be easy for this young lady. Her sacrifices would bring her great opportunities. Congratulations! 

Erwin Espinoza, Pangasinan: Minnie Aveline Juan is a rare breed of a visually impaired woman to have graduated as summa claude of her class despite her disability. 

She’s an inspiration to all of us

Enrique Saldajeno, Quezon City: Mabuhay! She is inspiring. God bless! 

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: Minnie Aveline Juan is an exceptional person and an inspiration to those with attention deficit disorder. She is not like those who passed the bar examination with the highest honors but has never seen the sala of a judge. 

Deo Durante, Camarines Sur: She’s one of a kind. She is definitely an inspiration to all of us and to the whole Filipino nation. God bless you, Ms. Juan! Angelo Raquepo, Ilocos Sur

When God pours his blessings, it is intended for all humanity. Minnie’s life best portrays God’s love for men. Both negative and positive things that come our way are blessings if we only stay on track. God loves His flock so much. 

Ishmael Q. Calata, Parañaque City: First of all, may I just say that past as well as recent history is replete with stories of handicapped persons who came out victors over their difficult situations resulting from their tenacity to overcome these! Helen Keller, who at age 19 months contracted a mysterious disease that left her deaf and blind, is one of the most famous. She later was able to speak and became a lecturer of sorts, traveling the world to give inspiration to many people. Recently, a young man by the name of Nick Vujicic sprouted from nowhere as a powerful speaker, giving testimonial to his triumph over his having been born without arms and legs! Then, we have this Filipina pilot who has no arms. And so, Minnie Aveline who is visually-impaired and yet excelled as valedictorian in her class and as the first ever summa cum laude of Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation, is one Filipino that makes us all proud. Surely, her feat will become an inspiration not only to the handicapped but also to normal youngsters who are victims of their own undoing laziness, truancy, barkadahan, etc. Congratulations, Minnie and may God always bless you as you go on in life! 

Eufrocino Linsangan, Isabela: Minnie Aveline Juan shows everyone that no dream cannot be realized if one has the tenacity to reach it; that no obstacle can stand against a determined mind to attain one’s goal despite everything. 

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: Minnie Aveline Juan must have pooled all her resources to overcome her impaired vision and focused her mental faculties and heart on excelling in her undertakings. In the process, she was catapulted into graduating class valedictorian and the first-ever summa cum laude of Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation. If all well-meaning Filipinos would stand up united to be in control of the situation of the country, we will soon rise with honor and pride from our stinking shame and life-threatening poverty. 

Ernesto Oliquiano, Las Piñas City: Kudos to Minnie Aveline Juan. She just showed everyone that being handicapped is no reason not to excel if one has determination and faith in the Almighty God. 

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: I think she’s a very remarkable and inspiring lady. She serves as a shining example of someone who has transcended her limitations and emerged as a winner despite her disabilities.  

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Minnie’s success inspite of her visual impairment is worth emulating by other handicapped, thanks to her strong faith in God and the support and understanding of her parents. 

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: She has set a very good example to others with physical impairments. To graduate with summa cum laude honors is a very big achievement. 

Where there’s a will, there’s a way

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: Impairment or being physically challenged is not an excuse for one not to excel. Great artists and scientists have proven it time and again. Minnie Aveline Juan didn’t let her situation prevent her from dreaming and reaching for the stars. May she continue to prove her worth in this competitive world. 

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: It gives true meaning to the old adage, “If there’s a will, there’s a way.” Physical impairment can at times inspire or drive one to make a difference. 

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: Congratulations, Minnie! You represent what it means to go beyond one’s limitations with determination, perseverance, the help of others and the grace of God. 

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: She is proof that disability is not a hindrance for one to excel. A man with no hands and feet can paint; another one uses his deformed feet to play guitar, while a normal one uses her fingers to dip into the cookie jar! 

Jimmy Donton, Puerto Princesa City: Physical defects need not hinder an ambitious and persistent individual from making a difference. She has good characteristics worthy of emulation by all Filipinos. 

Ernesto Oliquiano, Las Piñas City: Kudos to Minnie Aveline Juan. She just showed everyone that being handicapped is no reason not to excel if one has determination and faith in the Almighty God. 

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: Her case is proof that being handicapped is not a hindrance to success if one is determined to attain it. She should be an inspiration to all. 

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: I have attended many graduation ceremonies in my life, but this one I will never forget. It was my son’s graduation at Ateneo de Manila sometime in March 2001. But this was not about him. This was about a girl who graduated summa cum laude and bested all other honor graduates. The girl came from a poor family and got in on a grant from the University. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and was selected to address the graduates and parents. Roselle Ambubuyog had been a consistent honor student in elementary and high school where she graduated valedictorian. What made her special was she was visually impaired. There was more applause given to her than the commencement speaker. Everyone stood up to give her honor. Her parents, who made all the sacrifices, must have felt very proud of their daughter, as all the parents there were. Roselle proved that physical impairment and financial problems could be overcome through determination and perseverance. Minnie Aveline Juan, who is also visually impaired, is the second Filipina to graduate summa cum laude. To Roselle and Minnie, you make us Filipinos proud. May your tribe increase. 

Luisito Vallo, Pangasinan: She was lucky to be born in a well-to-do family. His parents ably supported her. But setting aside her family’s economic standing, she showed the world that a physically challenged person could conquer all obstacles and achieve one’s dreams and aspirations by putting your mind to it. 

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: That being handicapped is not a reason not to achieve great things. 

Leonard Villa, Batac City: It only goes to show that being physically handicapped is not a hindrance to excelling and succeeding. No man has the monopoly of everything. Hard work pays. If there’s a will, there’s a way. 

Filipinos have it in them to be great

Dr. Jose Balcanao, Benguet: It implies that Filipinos, despite being physically impaired, have it in them to be the best multi-jeweled race in the world because of their innate determination and undying courage to cultivate, develop and utilize their natural endowments from the Divine Providence. For Filipinos, nothing can hinder them from attaining their goals in life despite of dangers, obstacles and pains. 

God works wonders

Felix Ramento, USA: Minnie is a manifestation that God truly works in many mysterious ways especially for His children. 

Lucas Banzon Madamba II, USA: Minnie Aveline Juan must be blessed to accomplish what she has just done. Some people with impairment look at it as a positive challenge to attain what their hearts desire, and oftentimes get the nod and support from above. And we normal mortals consider it as some form of a miracle. Ignacio Anacta, Metro Manila

Often, blessings are granted to those who may be the least. 

Rudy Tagimacruz, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon: The case of visually impaired Minnie Aveline Juan who topped her class is undoubtedly one of the mysteries of the Almighty. 

Cris Rivera, Rizal: It’s a manifestation of what prayer can do for a determined though handicapped competitor. Her faith gave her the will to excel. Defying the odds, she worked with unrelenting determination and, as she prayed for help, left everything in God’s hands. 

Abelardo Abilay, Laguna: One thing came to mind. Surely, God is a God who compensates. Her testimony is our testimony. In some aspects, we lack something, yet we excel in other things. What is good about her is her perseverance in the midst of her lack. This is one thing that everyone can emulate from her. What she cannot see with her eyes, she can see with her heart. 

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: Minnie is worthy of emulation. Her impairment never discouraged her from excelling, and this can be attributed to her extraordinary genes and the sound financial support of her family. There are a few but similar stories in the past that could attest that God really works wonders. 

Elmo Cruz, Manila: There are developmentally disadvantaged people who by their sheer will and determination overcome their disabilities and develop their skills to the max. We once had a world boxing champion who was a victim of polio. There was once an internationally acclaimed classical music composer who was a deaf and mute. There was once a one-legged swimming pool lifeguard. The late Ato of Bulacan was blind from birth yet he was a piano wizard. There was once a most sought-after medical doctor in Bacood, Sta. Mesa who was a paralytic. Ernesto “Boy” Herrera, another polio victim, was a respected labor leader before he was elected Senator. The late Arturo Borjal, also a polio victim, was a noted chess player and a prolific writer. Their feats are worthy of admiration and a source of inspiration for everyone. Nothing is impossible for God-loving people. 

Thanks to the Braille system

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: We have to thank Louise Braille of the famous Braille system for being of great help to Minnie Juan. She would be of no use without the Braille system. 

She didn’t put her gift to waste

Elpidio Que, Vigan: Visually impaired Minnie Aveline Juan is a rarity. For certain, the Creator gifted her with intelligence and, with it, she made sure to excel and not put her gift to waste by becoming the valedictorian of her class and the first-ever summa cum laude of her school Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation. I salute this rare girl. She did not allow the caprice of fate to rule her. I pray for her success in her endeavors. 

Desuel Pardo, Mandaluyong City: Physical defects usually make a person helpless. There are, however, people who are courageous. They set their disabilities aside and tap into their other potentials to excel in their undertakings. One of them is Minnie Aveline Juan, who was not impaired by her impaired vision and instead graduated as class valedictorian and first summa cum laude of Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation. 

Ian Laput, Mandaluyong City: It’s heartwarming. Any kind of incapability or disability would not stop one from achieving and living the best he/she could be and it would never make one less of a person worthy of attention, love and admiration. This is why the US TV show Glee made an impact for it celebrates differences in a world that can be rudely judgmental at times. 

THE WAY I SEE IT

Ferdinand Rafer, Cavite: Joey Salceda would become an economic adviser of Noynoy equates to a continuation of PGMA’s economic policy, which Joey crafted and was despised by the Liberal Party before. 

Cecile Reynon, Occidental Mindoro: Most inbox texters want the next president to have strong political will. Alisin na sa political landscape ang mga transactional politicos. 

REACTION

Vivian Ocampo, Quezon City: Bobit Avila’s “People Power for Gibo” dated April 17 was most enlightening and reassuring. Gibo is professional and a true gentleman. No mudslinging. 

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