Dipolog City as third class city is surrounded by rolling hills to the southeast and Sulu Sea to the North. Known as the Orchid City, It has been a two-time Presidential Awardee for Child Friendly Municipalities and Cities (PACFMC) following the conferment on the “Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance” by Council for the Welfare of Children and Department of Interior and Local Government in 2015. The city continues to implement the 4 gifts for the children (survival, development, protection and participation) and child friendly governance for the past 8 years now. Thus, it is noteworthy to know that the local government including the local barangay units have been implementing different programs that encourage participation and promotion on the protection of children as key factors toward championing its rights in creating a liveable community for them. Along this line, children are empowered and catered in the city as main actors in the realization of goals and nation building. With all these significant recognitions, there are Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program partner-families who have been blessed with exemplary children in their respective communities who contribute to them.

As the crickets begin to fade off their lullabies at night, the dawn starts to change and radiantly paints the hues of the skies with warmth. The beaming rays of the sun peep towards the small community of Brgy.Olingan, Zamboanga Del Norte.

At 5:30 am, the daily morning routine of young Reynald A. Baguio, a 13-year old, along with his brothers, starts the day by fixing their beds, feeding their animals, watering the backyard vegetables in the garden. They together sit for breakfast and prepare themselves for school. His mother Florenda, 35, trains them to become responsible children by means of helping in the daily activities at home. During weekends, Reynald joins his father, Rey, 37, to go on fishing using their small banca for a living. He braves the waves in order to help his parents sustain their livelihood while his two siblings wait for their comeback near the shores and organize the fresh fish. They sell them among neighbors. Selling the fish has been his father’s way of earning income.

At his very young age, Reynald has already manifested significant leadership traits which are characterized by being an epitome to his followers–his brothers and friends. Being the eldest among the triplets, Reynald knows how difficult their life is. He can recall the days when they had less food to eat. All of them endure eating hot plain porridge with salt just to suffice their daily meals. His parents really have to take and exert tremendous effort to sustain the basic family needs such as food and education. Meanwhile, considering that they are trio, the level of attention and equal care have also become the challenge of the parents; nonetheless, they are doing a  great job in raising them well with equipped character and embedded values to emulate from.

REYNALD AS A BROTHER

Reynald at home serves as the leader and initiator for Reymart and Reymond. At his age, he empowers them by becoming a proactive brother. He also acknowledges his brothers’ strengths and weaknesses, and he assures that equal treatment and sensitivity are employed. His brothers, however, reveal that Reynald is very active in school and has the academic edge and advantage among them. Reynald serves as their personal tutor in terms of their homework. Like other boys, they play Basketball as their favourite sport. They visit the nearby plaza, just like today’s young kids do, to balance between school and physical play.

Reynald and Reymond are identical in physical features while Reymart is the fraternal twin counterpart. Each one has unique characteristics to tell, but Reynald has indeed manifested exemplary sort of contribution in his family. Hence, they execute “togetherness” to uplift their living condition and to see that everyone reaches their goals.

-Back Story-

“Florenda, Reynald’s mother, recounted the days when she almost died after giving birth. She suffered from an excruciating pain, coupled by fever and bleeding due to her pregnancy. She was unconscious for three days due to her very delicate delivery. Since she was insentient, she did not know how things flowed. Because of her condition, the doctor had a partial belief that she could die anytime. The doctor and her husband patiently waited for her to wake up. That was the time where her life was either one way of saying goodbye or one miracle way of living again to the real world. On a very fortunate note, she finally survived. When she woke up, consuming the air of hope, she realized that she had three babies. She was held in reverence and brought by pleasure when she knew the outcome of her bittersweet pregnancy. However, she had no idea how to begin with instant three sons. Her husband, a fisherman, had little income from his fishing. As a matter of fact, she and her husband had to endure a sort of predicament where they asked financial and medical assistance to some people to aid the needs of the triplets. Some even dealt with taking a child of other parents legally to become their own, but for one, she didn’t like the idea and rather stood up the promise in raising her sons through her own will and perseverance. In 2008, they became recipients of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.”

OF PROWESS, TALENTS AND AMBITIONS

“Gusto ko maging Engineer para kung sakaling matanda na ang mga magulang ko at gusto nilang lumipat sa magandang bahay, ako ang bubuo at kukumpleto sa hiling nila (I want to become an Engineer because when my parents get old and when they want to transfer to a beautiful house, I will build and complete their dream),” he said. It is evident how Reynald wanted to repay the sacrifices of his parents by dreaming Big. Apart from knowing his life’s dream, he also excels in literary activities (i.e. oration and storytelling), performing arts (i.e. singing and dancing) and visual arts (i.e. drawing), and sports (i.e. playing chess). Evident from his versatile skills, he is an example of a well-packaged kid. His dynamic talents have brought him in many performing stages, competition venues and resounding applause as well.

ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS

Reynald’s greatest inspiration is his family. His family serves as his driving force to beat the endless struggles with gumption and passion. With this kind of inspiration, it leads him to execute excellence and greatness in school, hanging medals around his neck and handing him certificates with different honors and privileges. In his Elementary days (2009-2015), he was a consistent honor student with various awards. To support this, last March 2016, he actually graduated as valedictorian and received special recognition such as ABS-CBN Excellence Award, Best in English, Best in MTAP, Best in Reading, Best in Art, Journalist of the Year, Leadership award, Band Member of the Year, MLhuillier Academic Award and among others. In addition, he was also recognized with consistent Perfect Attendance under the project WATCH (We Advocate Time Consciousness and Honesty) of the school.  These achievements are best proof that nothing is impossible as long as he has an unconditional support from his family. Along with, this only shows that we all have the right and privilege to enjoy and to inspire in whatever ways we can amidst the chaotic notion that has been implied herein, and that is “poverty”.

At present, he is now on his 7th grade at Alberto Q. Ubay Memorial Agro-Tech Science High School in Dipolog City. Reynald steadily maintains his good grades, travelled to places and competed in various local and regional level competitions. He is the Classroom Vice -President, Sgt. and Arms of the MAPEH Club,Treasurer of the Chess Club and Grade VII representative of the Supreme Student Government.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AT HIS FINEST

As his personal advocacy, Reynald wants to encourage people to plant trees to save the environment. He maintains his concern for nature, for he has been joining several Purok Pintakasi, Tree Planting and Coastal Clean-up activities conducted by their Local Barangay. He is also active in attending the monthly Youth Development Session (YDS) rendered by his teachers. Reynald once revealed that one of the significant learnings he had among the several topics in the sessions was the Emergency Preparedness. He believes that being prepared during disasters will not only save him but also other people from casualties and other possible repercussions. For once, he never fails to attend the session because he knows it will help him change and develop his personal and social awareness.

Another notable contribution of Reynald was being a member of Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC). BCPC is a preventive program mandate issued by the Philippine Government to all Barangay’s. It is an established council that looks after the protection of its children.  He was chosen to be the child representative to be exposed, educated and informed on the important social issues such as Child abuse and Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC). “Nalaman ko kung papaano ako makakatulong sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay alam sa Pinuno ng Barangay at ng Council kung sakali mang may mga report ng pang aabuso sa mga bata”. He shared. Reynald was also chosen to sit as Child representative in the Barangay Investment Plan for children where he joined several projects conducted such as Garbage collection and income generation.

 

His strong determination and robust faith to God become his armor to step up a good fight. “Takot sa Diyos, eto ang pinapahalagahan ko dahil sa lahat ng anggulo ng aking buhay, kung mayroon man akong pinanghahawakan sa lahat ng oras yun ay ang makibagay sa lahat ng nakapaligid sa akin,” he added.

Reynald remains his positivity towards his goals in life. As he grows up, he improves himself and manages to hone his skills through involvement in various activities.

And as the sun bids farewell, the dusk turns in quiet shift. The rays go off at six yet stars spark in brilliance sleek. When young Reynald finishes the day and sleeps, he always wakes up with great goals to leap.

When he takes the life’s journey step by step, he only not brings pride, splendour, and inspiration among his loved ones. He goes back home with a humble spirit and remains the child in him. At the end of the day, Reynald will always be the Clever Son of the South.