A Generation´s Distant Goal

“Maswerte kamo subong. Kami sang una gusto mag eskwela pay waay kwarta.” I have
memorized these lines from my mother and father. They would always tell me to study well
and study harder whenever I am too lazy to get up to go to school or when I spend more time in
playing and leisure. And every time I hear these lines, I would sulk and talkback in my mind that
they shouldn`t compare the past from the present. We are DIFFERENT.

I am Airene Valencia, a grade 6 student, and I belong to the Indigenous People

Community which comprises % of the school population of Mostro Elementary School.
Education was a rare opportunity in the past generations of my family. Nobody in my family has
ever graduated in college. My grandparents have worked hard to send their children to school
but unfortunately, they could not make ends meet and had to make them stop. They never
even get to finish their elementary level. My parents told me they were in Grade 4 when they
stopped. They had to help raise the family and work in the sugarcane fields just to get by their
daily needs. So, there is no wonder my parents are very adamant in motivating us to study
harder.

They would always compare the past and the present and tell us how lucky we are that
we don´t need to walk long distances just to go to school. That we don´t have to go to school
with no allowance or school supplies. And that how indigenous people are being included and
recognized by the school without prejudice nor discrimination today. Sometimes they would
tell us stories of their struggles whenever they feel furious about something. They may have
raised their voices but the quiet unshed tears in their eyes spoke more volumes of what they
must have truly felt. They wanted me- us, their children to finish our studies and fulfil what they
have failed to do. They want us to succeed and have a better leverage in reaching our dreams.

Now I am moving forward towards that distant goal. I will try harder each day to get up
in the morning and prepare to go to school. I will make an effort to do my school works every
day. I will express my gratitude towards my parents and the people in our community for
building a strong foundation of equality. I will encourage friends to be better pupils of our
school and better individuals in the community. And lastly, I will not forget to thank God for His
never-ending grace and blessings.

I could have never truly understood the impact of education in our lives. For quiet some
time, I may have even taken it for granted, not knowing that though they say that education is
free- not everyone can afford it. I am slowly trying to grasp the fact that even if we´re not well
off, I am lucky to have a family who have high regards to education. I have finally learned to put
myself in their shoe and see why I have to give importance to my studies more. They keep
comparing the present and past because they are indeed DIFFERENT. I feel elated that my
parents are hardworking people who have given me the greatest gift that my generation can
ever afford- EDUCATION.