Youngest among 'valedictorian siblings' continues family tradition

MANILA, Philippines - The youngest child in a brood of five who all graduated at the top of their classes said she didn't want to pressure herself to follow the footsteps of her siblings, but admitted that she also wished to make a remarkable feat.

Marimar Baticulon graduated last month as valedictorian of the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD) high school batch 2013 and now continues the tradition of academic excellence in their family.

“I realized that pressuring myself to do well meant being an alien to the class, isolating myself in one corner talking to my books. I didn’t want that to happen," Marimar said in her valedictory speech at the Philippine International Convention Center last month.

"But there was always this side of me telling me that 'I want to equal their (her siblings) feat'," she added.

Seeing their parents' sheer dedication, Marimar said she and her siblings studied hard as they wanted a better life for the entire family.

"We pursued excellence, because at the end of each school year, every medal, plaque, and trophy was a token of gratitude to them," Ronnie, her oldest brother, said.

Daunting task

It wasn't an easy job for Marimar's parents Pablito and Rosemarie to provide the needs of the family due to money matters. They even lived with Pablito's parents since they cannot rent or buy their own house.

But despite the financial challenges, Pablito and Rosemarie never failed to give all the support they can to their accomplished children.

Pablito, an engineer, would still help his children with their math and science assignments after going home from a construction site where he worked.

Rosemarie, a homemaker, will sell pancit in the village wet market on weekends to augment the family income. And with her children having only two sets of clothes, she would prepare their uniforms at night and cook the children’s baon in the morning.

But even without the luxuries in life, Marimar, the newest valedictorian, said she still feels the love at home.

"We don’t have the latest gadgets, fancy cars, and posh houses.  But I enjoy being part of this family," Marimar said.

"The thought of living another life with different parents and siblings didn't really cross my mind because I'm happy with how we go through our life as a family,” she added.

The challenge ahead

With her latest achievement, Marimar now shares the same accolades earned by her siblings in UPHSD, which offered scholarships to the five Baticulons.

She is also expected to excel in college, where her siblings also gained amazing achievements.

Ronnie graduated as cum laude at the University of the Philippines Manila College of Medicine in 2008 and is now a neurosurgeon at the Philippine General Hospital.

Sheila, the second child, earned the same honors in her electronics and communications engineering (ECE) course. She is currently based in New Zealand.

Shyne, the third sibling, also graduated as cum laude in her chemical engineering program and now works at a multinational company.

John Paulo, the fourth child, is pursuing an ECE degree in UP.

Marimar now plans to pursue a degree in management engineering at the Ateneo de Manila University. And as she continues their family's tradition of excellence, she will be upholding her parents' lessons in life.

“I was taught by my parents to be practical in life and to have self-discipline. I have my own drive for learning," Marimar said.