4Ps Success Stories Series (#8) | “Breadwinner na Winner!”

4Ps Success Stories Series (#8) | “Breadwinner na Winner!”

Alam kong ang bawat pagsubok ay bahagi lamang ng proseso, at hangga’t may pangarap, may dahilan para ipagpatuloy ang laban,” saad ng isang breadwinner na si Reymalyn R. Caranto, 24 taong gulang mula sa Brgy. Caturay, Bayambang, Pangasinan. (I know that every challenge is just part of the process, and as long as there's a dream, there's a reason to continue the fight," said Reymalyn R. Caranto, a 24-year-old breadwinner from Brgy. Caturay, Bayambang, Pangasinan.)

A consistent honor student simula elementarya hanggang sekundarya, nang tumuntong sa kolehiyo ay consistent Dean’s Lister sa Pangasinan State University - San Carlos City Campus at natapos ng may Karangalan (With Distinction) at nakatanggap ng Leadership Award noong 2023 sa kursong Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Social Studies. (A consistent honor student from elementary to secondary school, upon entering college, she was a consistent Dean's Lister at Pangasinan State University, San Carlos City Campus and graduated with Distinction, receiving a Leadership Award in 2023 in the Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Social Studies program.)

“Naalala ko pa po noong ako’y college, ang nakukuha kong cash assistance mula sa pagiging Dean's Lister ay ipinangdadagdag ko sa baon ko at para sa mga kapatid ko,” sambit niya. (“I still remember when I was in college, the cash assistance I received from being a Dean's Lister, I would add to my allowance and use it for my siblings,” she said.)

Siya ay ikalawang batch ng K-12 Curriculum Program ng DepEd, kaya naman pagkatapos ng pag-aaral sa kolehiyo ay sumabak siya sa pagrereview upang paghandaan ang March Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers 2024. At matagumpay niya itong naipasa noong Mayo, 2024. (She is from the second batch of the DepEd's K-12 Curriculum Program, so after graduating from college, she immediately reviewed to prepare for the March 2024 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers. And she successfully passed it in May 2024.)

“Ako po ay panganay sa limang magkakapatid, ang aking mga magulang ay sina Emalyn at Richard Caranto. Ang aking papa ay kabilang sa mga masuwerteng nahandugan ng trabaho ng LGU Bayambang (Job Order) at ang akin naman pong mama ay nasa bahay at nag-aasikaso sa aming magkakapatid. Bago kami maging benepisyaryo ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), tanda ko pa po ‘yung mga days na ang pamilya namin dumaan sa matinding kahirapan tulad din ng ibang pamilya. Ang aming pang-araw-araw na buhay ay hindi naging madali, lalo na pagdating sa pagkain, edukasyon, at kalusugan. Tanging ang kita lang po ng aming papa ang tumutustos sa lahat ng pangangailangan namin,” kuwento niya. (“I am the eldest of five siblings, and my parents are Emalyn and Richard Caranto. My father is among the fortunate ones given a job by the LGU Bayambang (Job Order), and my mother stays at home and takes care of us siblings. Before we became beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), I remember the days when our family went through extreme hardship, just like other families. Our daily life was not easy, especially when it came to food, education, and health. Only my father's income sustained all our needs,” she recounted.)

Kaya naman, labis ang pasasalamat ng kaniyang pamilya na mapapabilang sa 4P’S, kwento niya. “Sadyang sobrang hirap maging mahirap, ngunit sa kabila po ng lahat ng ito, hindi nawawala ang aming pagsisikap at pangarap na magkaroon ng mas maayos na buhay. Nang mapabilang kami sa 4Ps, ito ay naging malaking tulong upang unti-unting maiangat at buhayin ang aming pangarap. Ang programang ito ay lubos na nakatulong sa buhay namin, lalung-lalo na sa edukasyon. Kasi when it comes sa education, limited ang resources namin, to the point na pinagtatagpi-tagpi po namin ang mga lumang notebook at umaasa sa mga free school supply na ibibigay ng school para lang may magamit uli sa next school year. Ang daming oportunidad na pumasok sa pamilya namin noong napabilang kami sa 4P’s, lalong lalo na sa edukasyon at pangkalusugan.

 (Therefore, her family is extremely grateful to be included in the 4Ps program. She recounts, “It is truly very difficult to be poor. Despite all of this, our efforts and dreams of having a better life never wavered. When we became part of 4Ps, it became a huge help to gradually uplift us and bring our dreams to life. This program greatly helped our lives, especially in education. Because when it comes to education, our resources were limited, to the point that we would patch together old notebooks and rely on the free school supplies provided by the school just to have something to use for the next school year. Many opportunities came into our family when we became part of 4Ps, especially in education and health.)

Maraming beses na niyang naranasan ang kagustuhang sumuko. Dumaan ang kanilang pamilya sa napakaraming pagsubok. Labis siyang natakot sa mga posibleng mangyari kung siya ay susuko, lalo na't siya ang inaasahan ng kanyang mga kapatid. (She experienced the desire to give up many times. Their family went through numerous trials. She was extremely afraid of the possible consequences if she gave up, especially since her siblings were relying on her.)

Ngayon, narating na niya ang dating pinapangarap lamang noon. Sa tulong ng kanyang pamilya, mga kaibigan, at suporta mula sa 4Ps at scholarship, natupad niya ang kanyang pangarap — hindi lamang para sa sarili kundi para rin sa kanyang mga mahal sa buhay at sa mga batang kanyang matutulungan bilang isang guro. Natutunan niya na ang bawat pagsubok ay bahagi lamang ng proseso, at hangga’t may pangarap, may dahilan para ipagpatuloy ang laban. (Now, she has reached what she once only dreamed of. With the help of her family, friends, support from 4Ps, and scholarship, she fulfilled her dream — not only for herself but also for her loved ones and the children she will help as a teacher. She learned that every challenge is just part of the process, and as long as there's a dream, there's a reason to continue the fight.)

Sa loob ng ilang taon na sila ay naging bahagi ng 4Ps, at sa kasalukuyan ay benepisyaryo ang kanyang kapatid, nagkaroon sila ng maayos na suporta sa kanilang edukasyon. Ang tulong pinansyal mula sa programa ay nakatulong upang makabili ng mga gamit sa paaralan, uniporme, at iba pang pangangailangan. Dahil sa suportang kanilang natanggap, mas nagkaroon sila ng pag-asa at lakas ng loob na ipagpatuloy ang kanilang laban sa buhay. Naging katuwang ng kanilang mga magulang ang 4Ps upang matupad nila ang kanilang mga pangarap. (For the years that they were part of the 4Ps, and with her sibling currently a beneficiary, they received proper support for their education. The financial assistance from the program helped them buy school supplies, uniforms, and other necessities. Because of the support they received, they gained more hope and courage to continue their fight in life. The 4Ps became a partner to their parents in fulfilling their dreams.)

Dagdag pa nya, “Ngayon, ang dating batang nangangarap na maging guro ay LPT na dahil sa tulong, sipag at pagpupursige sa buhay! Isa na akong private school teacher sa Basista, Pangasinan, at ang aking dalawang kapatid na naging benepisyaryo rin ng 4Ps ay nasa kolehiyo at graduating na. Maraming salamat, DSWD, sa programang ito, at higit sa lahat, salamat lagi’t lagi sa Panginoon. Laging ipinapaalala ng aking mama’t papa na kung ano ang matanggap, malaki man o maliit, matutong magpasalamat dahil ang mabuhay sa araw-araw ay isang napakalaking biyaya.” (She added, “Now, the child who once dreamed of becoming a teacher is now an LPT (Licensed Professional Teacher) because of help, hard work, and perseverance in life! I am now a private school teacher in Basista, Pangasinan, and my two siblings, who also became beneficiaries of 4Ps, are in college and graduating. Many thanks to DSWD for this program, and above all, thank you always to the Lord. My mother and father always remind me that whatever we receive, whether we have much or little, we should learn to be grateful because living each day is a very big blessing.”)

Bilang pangwakas, aniya ay hinding-hindi siya magsasawang matuto at tanggapin ang bawat oportunidad na makakatulong sa kanyang pag-unlad. Ang pinakamalaking pangarap niya sa buhay ay ang mabigyan ng maayos na buhay ang kanyang pamilya, lalo na ang kanilang mga magulang. (In conclusion, she said that she will never tire of learning and accepting every opportunity that will help her progress. Her biggest dream in life is to provide a good life for her family, especially their parents.)

(by: Richard D. Rivera Jr./Municipal Link Pantawid Pamilya)