ABMC Practicum

Feature Article
By: Rosemarie N. Martinez

"Malnutrition"

Every day, 95 children in the Philippines die from malnutrition, out of 1,000 Filipino children do not get past their fifth birthday. A third of Filipino children are stunted, or short for their age. Stunting after 2 years of age can be permanent, irreversible and even fatal.
Erica mae Niñofranco, One of the student of Northwestern Visayan Colleges suffering from malnutrition, as she still struggling from the disease she never give up. As I interviewed her she say that her disease can't stop her to finish her studies, She is now a Senior high School Graduating. She also say that this disease has so many syntoms like she can't eat and Everytime she attempt to eat she lost her appetite, she also experiencing Insomnia can't sleep at night. All this syntoms repeating everyday but she never lost hope that she can survive her studies.
By the days, months and hours past, she survive although this new mode of learning is tough. She is now graduating and her grades is higher than she expect middle level of points. As I continued asking questions there's one question make me laugh, she even does not care about bullying her about her body, sometime everyone curious at her because she have big appetite but never had gain weight.
Erica Mae is a fighter, bolder and stronger because she believed that God giving ways on how she survive challenges in her life. She also say that her number one supporter and source of power is her family although they are luck of financial, her parents aslway making ways to pay her exams and buy her projects. She also shared that being luck of financial they can't eat healthy foods that's why this disease worsen, but now Erica trying and finding ways on how to prevent this disease.
Erica Mae has a advice for her fellow students and other teenagers whom forget on how to treat nicer their health, "A healthy lifestyle can help prevent chronic diseases and long-term illnesses. Feeling good about yourself and taking care of your health are important for your self-esteem and self-image. Maintain a healthy lifestyle by doing what is right for your body."

"How a working student and an influencer hit thousand followers in tiktok". Inside story.
(July 12, 2021)
-Jonah Edgel A. De Pedro

It was a big stepping stone for a 19 year old influencer, content creator, working student, scholar, and a son,Roy B. Apalla to reach 40k followers on tiktok last month of this year.

Tiktok is a social media platform used to make a variety of short-form videos, from genres like dance, comedy, and education, that have a duration from fifteen seconds to three minutes. According to google.

He considered thousand followers as a huge achievement for someone who used to dream about being an influencer." It's never been easy to hit a thousand followers, honestly." He emphasized.

"Some strategies I used are, I must be consistent in creating video content, stay connected to my followers, read comments and reply to their questions." Roy added.

Last year in December, he started downloading the app to create content where his ultimate goal is to spread positivity, influence youth and help his family in the midst of a pandemic. Those intentions made him interested to work on up to now. According to him, it is also his way to express his passion to become an artist and a fashion designer.

"One of my dreams is to become Artist, but let me finish my studies first," He added.

Roy Apalla is incoming second year college student at Claredon Colleges, Roxas, Oriental Mindoro, taking Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Financial Management.

At a very young age he used to be a vendor, a fish processor and a dishwasher to support his studies. He manages to work at night to sustain his necessities as a student and to save money for the tuition even though he is a scholar.

At the beginning of his career as a content creator, he used to borrow phones from his friends to edit and make videos in his youtube channel where later this year he made to have a new phone to create content for tiktok. Although, as he reaches more followers in various platform of social media like facebook, instagram, tiktok and others. Bashers are not exempted to drag him down in many ways. As he was discourage from the comment of some, such " Ang baba ng pangarap mo". " Mag aral ka na lang kesa mag tik tok". Yet, it never affects his ego to make difference rather he uses it as motivation to continue making contents at tiktok.

" I thank the bashers for recognizing me, at least they leave comments.. And it motivates me even more." Roy added.

Moreover, he never expected to be recognized by Awra Briguela who is a celebrity and influencers in the comment section.

Aside from creating tiktok contents he also shared some stuff that he is passionate about like collecting make-up tools and sketching gowns. As a result,he became one of the aspiring fashion designer of Katwalk Industry based in Hollywood California for the upcoming fashion show under the guidance of Katniss Griffiths, Fashion designer and CEO.

Roy must be a worker and influencer but he makes sure that he never sets aside his studies among the opportunities he has right now.

"I can say to myself, Roy, I'm so proud of you, do what makes you happy as long as you don't step on people, just continue being creative and hardworking. Thanks to all those who supported me, even if they are only a few at the beginning, you are one of my reasons and motivations why I work harder to reach my dreams." Roy said.

Photo courtesy Roy B. Apalla

THE ANGEL AMONG US
By: Leila Calub (July 12, 2021)

A Family’s strong foundation forms a beautifully bloomed bond among each other. It is everything. We can feel the unconditional love and respect respectively that sometimes becomes hard to describe in words. But how far would you go for genuine happiness and protection for everyone in the home?

She is Sharon Calub Macute. The youngest daughter among 5 children of Mr. & Mrs. Alfredo Calub Sr. Employed at City Government of Muntinlupa at the Office of the Mayor. This year has been one great challenge of her life when her parents tested positive for COVID-19 simultaneously. Due to her busy work and schedule, it is hard for her to take good care of them more than she wishes to be by their side all the time. The tears were unbearable as her heart breaks for them. This challenge made her stronger - not letting emotional baggage occupy her thoughts. She stood up and think of all possible ways to reach out to them. Bought groceries for the next 14-days of quarantining, provided medicine and vitamins, sent a box full of personal protective equipment (PPE) for the remaining people who are tested negative in her parent’s house whenever they go check them in their respective room and makes sure their situation is in a comfortable state. She did all of that willingly despite the layer of papers stacked on the table. Smiling even if it’s unbearable inside. Still didn’t forget to help out other people who are in need no matter how hard the situation she is in.
Now that her family overcame this difficult time, she didn’t forget to show gratitude to all people who gave their support and prayers. Carrying her every day with an at-eased heart knowing that her loved ones recovered. Visits the family home to be with her parents as often as she could. Giving all the beautiful things she can offer to show how much she loves and cherish them. Also didn’t ignore her responsibilities as a student who takes up a Masteral degree and for her niece whom she supports her studies. As a family, she encourages on giving strength to one another amidst all the problems and against the virus. It was a dreary ride, but Sharon believes that faith is stronger than all the struggles. A big hearted-blessed person indeed.
“You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.” –Desmond Tutu
Photo Courtesy of: Sharon Calub Macute celebrating the 77th birthday of her beloved father.

Hope In The Midst Of Hopelessness
By Rio Astronomo (July 12, 2021)

The world is battling an unseen and deadly enemy that challenges us how to live with its threat. The coronavirus pandemic has caused us fear and loss in all aspects but also brought us the ability to feel compassion, gratitude, and hope.

Today's time is more than just a health crisis, it's also a matter of financial survival in everyday living among thousands of families. Kenith Ignacio, a 35-year old from Poblacion, Makato, Aklan has experienced the lowest point of her life during this pandemic. Her family starts to struggle at the time when her husband lost his job as an E-trike driver and tour guide in Boracay. According to her, her husband felt distressed thinking how he could provide the needs of his family knowing that quarantine was strictly implemented that time. It's been a difficult time for them to the point that they needed to borrow money from others just to meet their needs. As a wife and a mother of two, she needs to be strong enough and think of all the possible ways to earn a living. Kenith started to think of products that she could sell online since everyone now depends on digital platforms. She tried to sell food products such as siomai, lumpia, pancit, and also some beauty products. Kenith finds it hard to gain customers' trust at first, but with her courage and faith, she managed to gain more customers not only in Makato. Gradually, her online business with the support of her husband helped their family to sustain everyday living.

As of now, her online business is known as Dimxan Foods and gets a lot of customers inside the province. Kenith is probably one of us that suffers during this pandemic but then her story would remind us that there's a hope in the midst of hopelessness . One advice from her is to never let go of your dreams and faith because God's ideas and ways are higher and better than what we could ever imagine.

Photo Courtesy of Kenith Ignacio

How a Teenager Cope Body Shaming
By: Nica B. Bautista (July, 12, 2021)

"I'm too skinny", "I'm too fat", "If I'm just like those other girls on social media, I will be happy". Does it sound familiar? Do you ever wish to change your actual self? If you feel the same, you're not alone.

A teenager named Vanessa B. Monzon, 18 years old, from Camaligan, Batan, Aklan. She felt the same situation after she experienced body shaming from her fellow students. "For them it's just a joke but it affected my life. I just pretend that I'm used to it but I really don't", she said.

"Gradually, I focus to that part of me that I'm insecure about. I didn't notice that I got stuck on those negative thoughts. As a result, it really bring down my self-esteem" she added.

According to her, she lose touch with who she truly is because of trying to fit herself into the mold of what others expected for her looks.

Later on, she realize that nobody is perfect through the help of her family and real friends. "I need to be in better shape but the best way to start it is by accepting and loving my actual self. When we like our body, it's easier to treat it with respect", she said.

She build a healthy habit and gets active everyday. She focus on what her body can do. She find things that she like about her looks. According to her, when she started loving herself, she stop making harsh comments about her own body.

"Sometimes, we also need to fight what our mind dictate about ourself. We need to have a positive mindset as we embrace our real self and be thankful of what we have."

Sometimes dealing with body image problems are difficult to handle alone. Tell a parent, friend, or doctor what you're going through. It can get better through their love and care.

(Photo Coutesy of: Pinterest)

The Queen’s Odyssey
By Meljun S. Ubani (July 12, 2021)

“True beauty is not related on what color of your hair is, or what color of your eyes are. It is all about who you are as a human being, your principle and your moral compass. Thank you!”
- Bb. Palaro 2016

Worthy of the crown answer of Aires Mae S. Solano during the Question and Answer portion for the search of Ginoo and Binibining Palaro of Dr. Ramon B. Legaspi Sr. National High School (DRBLSNHS), August 2016.

Wearing her evening gown, Aires picked the question which is, how she defines beauty. Her answer (stated on the top) plus the confidence and natural smile that she has, made her to be crowned as Bb. Palaro 2016. Aside from her title, she also won some awards; Miss Photogenic, People’s Choice Award, Best in Production, Best in Street Wear, and Best in Gown.

Aires Mae live in Tina, Makato. She was born on August 8, 2000 and the second child among three children of Joel (father) and Airen (mother) Solano. She studied elementary at Calimbajan – Tina Elementary School and graduated as Class Salutatorian.

She continued her dreams at Dr Ramon B. Legaspi Sr. National High School (DRBLSNHS) where she studied for four years as Junior High and another two years as Senior High and took up General Academic as her chosen strand.

Her journey as beauty queen continues after she was crowned as Bb. Palaro 2016 of her school. She was the candidate of her barangay (Tina) during the Search of Binibining Makato Turismo 2016. Also, she represented the District of Makato during the Search for Ginoo and Binibining Kalikasan 2017 in the annual Youth for Environment in Schools Organization (YES-O) Camp held in Nabas, Aklan. But she did not make it in both pageants.

“Remember to always wear the crown in your heart and not in your head.”

One of her lines before she turned over the crown to the next winner of the search in her school, December 2017.

Her journey in DRBLSNHS has ended. She graduated last April 5, 2018 with Honor (Ranked 1) and received many awards of recognition.

January 2019, she tried again joining Bb. Makato Turismo where she won 3rd Runner Up. In her present school she also joined another pageant where she won the Most Photogenic.

Eventhough she is an achiever, she remains humble. Now, she is serving at the Parish of the Holy Child in Makato, Aklan as Parish Youth Ministry (PYM).

Dreaming to become a flight attendant someday, she is currently enrolled as 3rd year at System Technology Institute (STI) Kalibo taking up Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management.

Her beauty is extraordinary! A beauty that has a purpose and willingness to serve her fellowmen. A beauty that keep inspiring her peers to continue dreaming. A beauty with much talent to showcase. A beauty with wisdom, confidence and kindness. A beauty that serving and praising God. With or without a crown, she is beautiful as who she is, and her name is Aires Mae Sailog Solano.

Photo courtesy of Aires Mae Solano.

Hinugtan White Beach: The hidden pristine destination of Buruanga

By: Jeson Rolet S. Samar (July 12, 2021)

Once your feet step on this place, phone memory will be going to decrease, time became a limitation and you will be going to say what Douglas MacArthur stated: "I shall return".

An almost 45 minutes ride from Caticlan, Malay, Aklan or a 2 hours ride from Kalibo, Aklan you will going to reach the Hinugtan White Beach located at Bel-is, Buruanga, Aklan. Another tourist destination that will give honor to Aklanon especially Buruanganons.

This place offers a white sand beach, untouched nature and crystal clear water which are the perfect elements for instagramable pictures. That you can't even waste every location not to take a picture to be posted on your social media accounts later. Why, later? Because there is no signal to post it on time, but it's a great opportunity for you and your companions to enjoy what Hinugtan White Beach can offer. And it's a perfect place to take some rest from the online world where you can read and see negative information or news that can cause anxiety or stress.

There is no doubt that time is the limitation in this place. Everyone can enjoy swimming, diving, kayaking, beach volleyball and other fun activities on the beach. Just like other tourist destinations it also has cottages and places that you can spend the night and witness how the white sand became golden white sand because of the beautiful sunset.

Its God created beauty is a perfect representation of the word paradise. And enable us to realize how lucky we are because we can feel and enjoy the gift of nature. I hope Hinugtan and other tourist destinations will inspire us to take good care of our environment.

Photo courtesy of: TripAdvisor

The loyal serving personnel for the safety of Madalagnons.

By: Charry Joy Nalaunan (July 12, 2021)

Mayor Al Dindo A. Gubatina announced on his latest post that the Municipality of Madalag had an 8 positive from covid19 surveillance as of July 11, 2021. Upon from this cases the 9 Contact Tracers employee of Madalag are keeping their job actively despite highrisk situation, one of those is Mr. Jude N. Pragoso resident of Brngy. San Jose Madalag, Aklan. He is graduated at ASU Banga, as an AB English and he choose to serve as a Government employee because for him it is yet Interesting and thrilling one.

"Actually my job in a Government way back as a staff at MPOC office and it turned out now that I am a contact tracer due to our current situation/ world situation." He added.

Their tasked are reaching out to individuals who were in close contact with the positive patient and were therefore "exposed." They inform these exposed individuals that they need to quarantine and isolate as well as provide them with resources - like housing, if they cannot isolate from others within their own home, and food delivery, testing sites, etc. They are also wearing PPE for almost an hour and climbing Mountaineers Area. According to him, his dedication for his work is his Family and to the safety of every Madalagnon's.

Photo courtesy of: Mr. Jude N. Pragoso

The Ordinary Teacher With An Amazing Personality
By: Maica Sallador

A loving father to his five children and husband to his wife Marlyn, also a good disciplinarian in school. Dedication and passion are often associated with Rosendo Sallador, Despite of poverty, He stood out and conquered all the struggles through his undying dream to get an academic exellence and serve as an inspiration not only to his children but also to the younger generation.
Born in a small barrio in the province of Aklan, growing up the reality of how sufferable life they are, Rosendo saw how his parents struggled with farming just to send him and his 5 siblings to school. He vowed to get out of this situation and make a difference to his life.
No one can stopped Rosendo from being faithful to his dreams. When he finished his elementary and secondary education he decided to go in Manila. Despite the pain of leaving his family, he went to Manila looking for a better job for him to be able to save money for his college degree. But the life there is very difficult, he was stayed there for many years.
But despite of the age of 30's he made it as an inspiration that age dosn't define who you are. Eventually, Rosendo finished Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English in the age of 38. And for the God's grace he maraged the love of his life and had a three beautiful and two handsome children. After a year Rosendo applied for teaching position and be assigned as Provincial schcool board Teacher of Maloco NHS and after 3 years he was transfered to Toledo NHS and given the national role item which is Regular, He stayed in Toledo NHS for almost 12 years and after a years he persue to tried to get the principal exam. After giving the result of principal's exam he was able to pass for the first time. After waiting , for the God's grace he was able to assigned at Arcanghel Sur, Balete as principal 1. Because he was a little bit far to his family he decided to transfer at Ibajay East District in Naile Elementary School for the same position.
For many years of service, Rosendo has already accomplished commendable contributions that yield significant impact to the learners, to himself, and to community.
He’s really an impressive teacher to his students and amazing father to his children. He does not only focus on excellence but on character formation as well. He’s our idol!.

The Lush Vegetation Mountain in Tigayon

By: Charry Joy Nalaunan ABMC-III
July 12, 2021
If you are looking for adventure and a peaceful ambiance this place is perfect for you. Tigayon hills in Kalibo, Aklan it imparts a sense of serenity and inspires awe to all of those who have taken the time to visit this amazing place, which the locals have much pride in. The hills are located in the town of Kalibo in Aklan Province. it is situated near the river of Aklan.
The perfect sight of the river from the top is very breathtaking. At the top of the hill, a small chapel and tower can be found that is surrounded with lush of trees. One would see a solitary mountain of solid rock amidst stretches of flat lands. In the sides of the hill there are at least two- dark, damp, and filled with bats.
The caves are also believed to be the home of the engkanto, the fairy folk. It is believed that in the past, the fair folk would lend out golden plates and utensils for fiestas and other celebrations, on the condition that the borrowed items would be returned, for a while, the people honored this agreement. One of the sides is a shallow you may found artefacts of bone, teeth, shards of pottery with interesting wave like markings. Tigayon hill had also a mini Museum where they preserves some of the artifacts that found out from hill.

HAKOS IT AMIGA
Ni: Shamine N. Nacar (July 12, 2021)

Gapati ka baea nga ro hakos it isaeang kaamiga hay gapahagan-hagan sing mabug-at nga nabatyagon? Nga bisan indi ka mag istorya may amiga ka nga maeapitan ag masandigan. Ipabatyag kimo kung ano ring importansya iya sa kalibutan? Kung may makara kang amiga, maswerte ka.

JONAH EDGEL DE PEDRO kilaea sa tawag nga (Mayora) Imaw hay nagatuon sa North Western Visayan College sa kursong AB Mass Communication. Haeos tanan sa anang kaklase imaw ro ginaeapitan. Isaea akong nakapan-o kung mauno imaw nga klase it tawo, imaw abi ra ro tawong mayad magdipara ag buligan ka hasta siin anang makaya. Nagbahoe sa Mindoro si Jonah, 6 sanda nga magmaeanghod unga paeang hay inaywan sanda sa anang Ama ro ina hay ra anang Mama nga gadipara kanda. Malisod andang kabuhi pero bisan mauno pa run kalisod hay ginakaya nanda. Sa promisa it anang tiya nga patun-on imaw it pag eskwela, haadto imaw sa Aklan. Tiniis nana ro pag-eayo sa anang pamilya bangud nga gusto nang makatapos it pagtuon ag para maabot anang mga handum. Bukon it madali ro pagtinir nana sa anang Tiya haagyan na nga magtipid it pamasahe, baeon ag mag-ubra it mga ueobrahon sa baeay. Para kana importante nga mayad ro oras pagkatapos it klase dapat nakauli eun imaw sa anda strikto nga mayad ro gapatuon kana, pero uwa man sa ginahuna-huna ag sa kaeuuy it Ginuo habuoe imaw nga scholar it TES SCHED ag bangud karon hay uwa eun imaw nag-istar sa anang Tiya nagtinguha imaw nga bisan imaw isaea hay kayanon na. Kaisog anang buot sa mga bagay bagay, kaya bisan maeayo imaw sa anang pamilya nagatuon imaw it mayad masaligan sa eskwelahan ag maaeam.

Mayora? Haman it natawag imaw nga Mayora? Hara run ho, imaw abi sa Masscomm ro gapabaskog it buot kung sayod nana nga nakuebaan ka, mahina ing buot imaw kimo gapaintindi ag buligan ka sa mga ueubrahong pang eskwela man run o anumang problema. May mga oras man nga nagatangis ag kasadya di man ruyon maduea dibaea pero bisan ano pa run kaya ka nana nga suportahan, sa matuod eang mapa indi ka o mapa oo may tawo gid nga gusto mo nga eapitan ag ruyon hay tawo nga imong masaligan. Tanan kita may rason para makakita it tawo nga imong masugiran sa tanan nga problema basta magdahan kita ag siguraduhon nga ruyong tawo hay imo gid masaligan ag indi ka husgahan sa kung alin ka man. Isaea si Shyne Masallo nga kaklase nana may adlaw nga punong puno eun it problema tag masuko eun sa kalibutan hatandaan ko tag mga oras nga uwa pa gahambae it problema si Shyne hinakos imaw it hugot ni Jonah ag kato eun gatinangis kana si Shyne. Kanami sa pamatyagan ni Shyne nga ipaguwa tanan nga sakit sa anang buot dahil ina si Jonah para magpamati ag imaw ro nagtao it linaw nga bisan alin pa ro problema nugay it pundo dahil ro atong Ginuo hay iya para katon ag ginasukoe kita. Kaya bisan ako sa hakos it matuod nga amiga nga pareho ni Jonah makabatyag ka it mainit nga pagpalangga ag mabatyagan mo nga bukon ka eang it isaea nga gapas-an sing pronblema. Tanan sa Masscom si Jonah ro gaeapit ag hakuson ka nana kung batyag na nga bukon ka it okay.

Ro paghakos it isaeang ka tawo naga tao it pagpakalma bisan indi ka eun mag istorya basta may tawo nga gakupkop para kimo ayos ka eun. Pilia ro tawong buligan ka ag indi ka basta bastahon nga ginamata mata dahil ro matuod tuod nga amiga gabulig ag gadamay kimo mapamasadya kaman o mapasubo. Uwa ginabase ro pag amiga sa paabo-abo it kwarta o kung ano man nga mahaeon nga material nga bagay. Sa hakos it amiga patunay gid nga mabatyagan mo ag maipaguwa ro sakit sing baeatyagon.

Photo courtesy of: Adobe Stock

Init ng Masahe ng Isang Byudang Ina
Ni: Kate Beethel L. Ortega (July 12, 2021)

Isa sa pinakamasakit na hamon sa buhay ng isang ina at babae ay mawalan ng kaagapay sa buhay at mag-isang itataguyod ang pamilya. Isa na rito si Grace Guimaray, nakatira sa Cajilo, Makato, Aklan, 48 taong gulang may tatlong anak at 6 na taon ng byuda at mag-isang itinataguyod ang pamilya sa kabila ng sakit at hirap sa buhay. Pumanaw ang kanyang asawa dahil sa brain tumor at ito ay nagdulot ng matinding hinagpis sakanilang pamilya lalo na kay Grace sapagkat ang kanilang haligi ng tahanan na syang naghahanap buhay para sakanilang pamilya ay wala na.

“Napakasakit mawalan ng asawa at maiwang mag-isa para buhayin ang aming mga anak na nag-aaral palang. Nang mawala ang aking asawa hindi ko malaman ang aking gagawin at kung paano ko haharapin ang mga pagsubok at hirap na darating sa aking pamilya. Wala akong trabaho at umaasa lamang sa namayapa kong asawa. Matinding hirap ang aking dinanas simula ng mawalan ng ama ang aking mga anak.” Anya ni Grace.

Sa kabila ng masakit na nangyari kay Grace, pinili nyang bumangon at magpatuloy sa buhay para sakanyang sarili lalo na sakanyang mga anak na sakanya nalang umaasa ngayon. Kaya noong may dumating na pagkakataon sakanya kung saan ang Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) ay naghandog ng libreng kurso at training sa Massage Therapy ay agad itong kinuha ni Grace. Matapos ang ilang buwang pagsusumikap ay nairaos niya ang training at nakuha ang National Certificate II for Massage Therapy. Magaling ang kanyang mga kamay at may talentado sa larangan ng pagmamasahe at ito na ang nagsilbi nyang hanapbuhay para itaguyod ang kanyang pamilya.
Binuhos ni Grace ang kanyang buong oras at lakas sa pagiging isang therapist marami ang kanyang mga naging kliyente na nagustuhan ang init at galing nya sa pagmamasahe. Linggu-ligo ay hindi sya nawawalan ng kliyente at patuloy ang pasok ng grasya sakanya. Napunan ni Grace ang mga pangangailangan ng kanyang pamilya pero hindi ang espasyo sakanyang puso.

“God is good to me, hindi nya kami pinabayaan. Hindi madali ang maging isang byudang ina. Mag-isa kong tinataguyod ang aking mga anak, sinusustentuhan ang pag-aaral, pagkain at pang araw-araw na pangangailangan ng tatlo kong anak. Kailangan kong maging malakas para sakanila. I believe and I have faith in our great great God.” Wika pa ni Grace.

Matinding pananalig sa Diyos ang naging sandata ni Grace sa ilang taon nyang pakikibaka ng mag-isa sa buhay. Kaya kahit ngayong may pandemic ay patuloy parin sya sa pagiging therapist, ilan sakanyang mga kliyente ay huminto muna sa pagpapamasahe ngunit halos sa kalahati ng mga ito ay tuloy tuloy parin kung kaya patuloy parin syang kumikita ngayong pandemic.

Dagdag pa nya, “Inspirasyon ko ang aking mga anak dahil sila ang aking kayamanan. Gusto kong maabot nila ang pangarap nila sa buhay, mag-aaral ng mabuti at makatapos para hindi nila maranasan ang aking mga pinagdaanang hirap sa buhay.”

Ang buhay ay hindi madali marami kang pagdadaanang hirap at pagsubok habang binabyahe ito. Kailangan mong magpatuloy at maging malakas kahit pagod na, nasasaktan at lumuluha. Masakit mawalan ng mahal sa buhay at maging mag-isa sa bawat unos na dumarating at kahaharapin pa. Nawa’y maging inspirasyon sainyo si Grace na kahit ano mang hirap ang ibato sa kanya ng buhay ay patuloy parin sa paglaban sa bawat unos ng kanyang buhay. Manalig lamang tayo sa Diyos.

DAAN PATUNGONG KALIGAYAHAN
Ni: Mariah Kate V. Prado (July 12, 2021)


“Ang distansya ay kailan mang hindi magiging sagabal kung tunay mong mahal ang isang tao.” Totoo nga namang “distance doesn’t matter” kung pag-ibig ang pinag uusapan. Katulad nalang isang binatilyong naglakad ng halos walong oras masilayan lamang ang kanyang kasintahan.

Hindi inalintana ni Eric John Rodriguez ang pagod at pawis sa halos walong oras na paglalakad galing Olongapo City patungong Angeles City, Pampamga na may layong animnapong kilometro. Ayon sakanya, nagawa nya ang bagay na iyon dahil sa labis niyang pagmamahal sa kanyang kasintahang si Ria Mosones, at dahil sa kagustuhan nyang makita ito ay nagpursige siyang maglakad at sa awa ng Diyos ay nakarating siya sa Angeles, Pampanga ng matiwasay. Isa din sa mga dahilan kung bakit siya naglakad ay singkwenta pesos lamang ang kanyang pera at kulang na kulang ito sa pamasahe pa lamang. Ayon pa sakanya, hindi rin daw niya naiwasang mapaisip na sumuko nong una palang at habang malapit pa siya sa pinggalingan, ngunit dahil sabik na syang makita ang kasintahan ay nilakasan niya ang loob at nagpatuloy sa pag lalakad.
Ang pangyayaring ito ay ibinahagi mismo ni Eric John Rodriguez sa pamamagitan ng kanyang facebook post na agad namang umani ng iba’t ibang reaksyon at mga komento. Ngunit sa kabila ng lahat, hindi parin natin maiwasan ang mga negatibong komento sakanyang nagawa.

Isa ako sa mga napa “sana all” sa isturyang ito dahil kahit sila ay mga tinedyer pa lamang ay napatunayan na ni Eric John ang kanyang tunay na pagmamahal. Nagsilbi rin itong inspirasyon sa mga kabataan maging sa may edad na dahil sa sakripisyong ginawa ni Eric John masilayan lamang ang ngiti ng kanyang kasintahan at hindi inalintana ang walong oras na paglalakad sa daan patungo sa kanyang kaligayahan.

Photo: Courtesy of Eric John Rodriguez