Jemuel Mago, last year’s grand winner of the Search for Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Child, shared that having won the Search allowed him to be a role model to other youth who are also trying to succeed amidst poverty.

The Search is conducted annually by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) among children-beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Exemplary children must show leadership skills and excellence in academics, as well as know how to fulfill their responsibilities in their families and communities. They should also be good role models and show their desire to help others.

The 15-year-old Grade 8 student from Barangay Binuangan, San Agustin, Romblon traveled to Manila last November 21 to participate in the Araw ng Kabataan and awarding of the 2015 winners of the Search at the Quirino Grandstand.

Exuding self-confidence during his interview in I-PUSH Natin ang Pagbabago radio program of DZRH, which airs every Saturday from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon, Jemuel related that since winning the nationwide Search, he has often been invited to talk about his experiences of exceling in school despite their family’s poverty.

“Lagi po akong iniimbitahan sa aming komunidad upang maibahagi kung paanong ang kahirapan ay hindi hadlang sa pagkamit ng tagumpay (I am often invited in our community to share how poverty is not a hindrance towards achieving success),” the lad enthused.

Jemuel comes from a poor family. His father is a motorcycle driver while his mother is a housewife. He has five brothers.

Despite their poverty, he shared that his parents always emphasize the importance of education.

“Hindi po kami pinapayagang mag-absent. Tiwala ang aming magulang na kayang-kaya naming mag-excel sa school kahit mahirap lang kami (They do not allow us to be absent in school. Our parents trust that we can excel in school despite our being poor),” Jemuel said.

Indeed, the boy is active not only in academics but also in extracurricular activities. He is a student leader and a campus scribe. He also often competes in inter-school competitions representing his school.

Asked what he performed to win the title last year, Jemuel responded that he did a declamation piece entitled “Poor Boy” which tackled his life story.

The boy also stated that he wants to be a civil engineer to help his family and get them out of poverty.
He said that he also wants to help his province.

“Gusto ko din pong matulungan ang aming probinsya, kung saan marami pang daan ang hindi pa sementado, nang sa ganoon po ay maging mas madali ang pagdadala ng mga produkto ng mga magsasaka sa ibang bayan (I also want to help our province, which still has a lot of rough roads, so it will be easier for the farmers to bring their produce to other towns),” he pointed out.

Jemuel advised other young people, “Magsumikap at mag-aral nang mabuti dahil ito lang ang tanging pamanang maibibigay ng ating mga magulang (We must strive to study hard because this is the only legacy our parents can give us).”

On the other hand, this year’s grand winner, 14-year-old Jake Lere Boyles, a Grade 7 student from Samar Province and a survivor of Typhoon Yolanda, gave this message to his fellow youth, “Huwag kayong susuko dahil may gumagabay sa atin. ‘Yan ang programang Pantawid Pamilya kaya’t tuloy-tuloy ang pagbabago (Do not give up because Pantawid Pamilya guides us so that achieving positive change continues).”

Pantawid Pamilya is a human development program that invests in the health and education of poor families, primarily those with children aged 0-18. It provides monthly cash grants to beneficiaries who comply with the conditions of sending their children to school, bringing them to health centers, and attending the Family Development Sessions.

The program currently benefits eight million children in elementary and high school nationwide, hence, fulfilling its goal of keeping children healthy and in school.