Anak Ko Classmate Ko (A Tale of Two Teachers)

Posted on May 28, 2024

To Dream or Not To Dream

As a young girl, Revilyn Ambadang enjoyed schooling so much. The fun, the thrill, the excitement would always motivate her to get up early from the bed and eagerly do her morning chores and routines before she goes off to school. The 2-kilometer walk from their humble nipa house to their school at Diongan Elementary School in Siayan, Zamboanga Del Norte never bothered her small, tiny feet. Sore as they may be at times, her dreams would always be stronger than any pain and hardships. Knowing that they belong to the poorest of the poor families in the country made her even more determined to dream big. She dreamt of being an educator someday.

With little support and 100% determination, she aced her elementary education and went on to high school. It was a bit of a struggle to convince her parents to send her to school as that meant having to leave the municipality of Siayan and stay in the adjacent municipality where the nearby secondary school was. Her grandparents showed support. However, this came not without a sacrifice. Young Revilyn must walk and pass through a river from Diongan to reach Sindangan National High School in the next municipality.

Luckily, a good Samaritan allowed her and her cousin to hitch on his vessel that carried corn to Goleo, Sindangan, Zamboanga Del Norte. This went on until she finished high school. But as with many poor Filipinos, college is a bigger challenge to face. Revilyn knew that her dreams have come to an end. The fact remains that despite the gigantic desire to finish studies, their pockets are so small and tight that it cannot support her educational needs. For her, dreams might not be meant for all.

Dreams Do Come True

As with most poor teenagers, when education stops, marriage comes next. Revilyn then married and had three children. She worked as a day care teacher while her husband worked as a public servant in their barangay. She pretty much had a simple life. Just when she thought that her life would be that simple, life took a small turn with her daughter’s unexpected pregnancy. Revilyn thought that she failed as a mother.

But then she realized that she is not just a mother. She is a fighter. The unexpected child will be there no matter how much she cried. That was her reality already. And so, with the advise and learning that she acquired from the counselling sessions and the Family Development Sessions of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the DSWD, she decided to enroll her daughter to the Alternative Learning System (ALS) so she can finish Senior High School. With the guidance of the 4Ps program, she, once again, had a control of her life.

“In 2019, I came to decide the best thing to do in my life,” Revilyn shared in a conversation with 4Ps Municipal Link.

With renewed passion and support from the government, Revilyn decided to pursue college education -now, together with her daughter Bea Claire. Both took up Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education major in English. Their tandem impressed many students and teachers alike at the Philippine Advent College in Sindangan, Zamboanga Del Norte.

While two of her boys are being monitored by the 4Ps program in High School, she monitored hers and her daughter’s performance in college. She made sure that this time around, because she had the support from the government, she will repay the country by ensuring that their education will be worth the taxpayers’ money.

Last June 4, 2023, both Revilyn and Bea Claire earned their college diploma in BS Secondary Education. This is a testament that with proper support, guidance, and determination, dreams do come true –even for the poor ones.

As of today, Revilyn was entrusted by her community to lead as one of the barangay councillors as they believe that her story and perseverance would inspire many young people to reach for their dreams no matter how hard they think it can be achieved.