It was raining lightly when Roy ran to the vendor outside the school and offered to sell the

banana cues, the vendor agreed making Roy happy as he took the banana cues off the table and
started to sell it to the passersby even when it was raining.
Roy: "I'll sell this, Sir."
Vendor: "If you sell them all, I'll give you one peso"
Roy: "Okay, I've got it!"
Roy: "Banana cue!" he shouted to attract the passersby's attention while he approached one of
the passersby and offered the banana cue to a man walking by.
Roy: "Banana cue, Sir?" the man refused but Roy didn't give up he now approached the two
women on the side of the road.
Roy: "Banana cue, Ma'am?" he asked
Buyer: “Alright, give me two” she bought two banana cues.
Roy: “Thank you, Maám!” he thanked the woman, as he turned around he saw a boy holding and
sipping a juice pouch walking outside of the school making him suddenly stunned as his eyes
trailed the boy as he went away, he envied the boy but that didn't make him discouraged, instead
he continued to shout "Banana cue!" to attract customers, after a while he didn't expect to see his
aunt coming out of the school, his aunt saw him and their gaze met but his aunt, Alda, threw
disappointed or rather a disdainful look at Roy and ignored him, Roy was saddened by it but
continued to sell the banana cues. It was already evening when he sold off all of the banana cues
and as the vendor promised he gave Roy one peso, as Roy walked back home he heard his father
pleading for Kathy's medication, Roy's sister.
Roy’s Dad: "I'm sorry for the trouble.. Her fever hasn't subsided in days." "I need to take her to
the hospital"
Nimfa: "So you're going to borrow some money from us again? My goodness, Kuya. You just
borrowed money from us last week." "It wouldn't be an issue if you knew how to pay us back!"
she said hatefully.
Alda: "We don't earn a lot, you know." "And most of it is going to you!" "I have a family too."
"You should learn to support your family" she said while throwing some insults at his father. His
grandmother arrived and asked "What's going on" "What's wrong?" and worriedly approached
Kathy who was on her father's arm,
Nimfa replied "Nanay, Kathy has to go to the hospital again" "So, Kuya is here to borrow from
us again" his grandmother responds "Then lend him money! My goodness!" while caressing
Kathy's head gently. "Pity the kid!"
Alda: "Fine, I'll lend him money" "But tell Ate Lilia to come here so she can do our laundry." "I
should at least get something in return!" she said angrily and walked away. Roy watched with
tears in his eyes at the gate and his father slowly turned and their gazes met for a while before
Roy looked away.
"Nanay!" Ricky cried out to her mother who was doing the laundry while Alda was chasing her
"Stupid Kid!" shouted the aunt and threw a plastic tabo at Ricky who was running towards his
mother. Lilia stopped what she’s doing “Wait! Why are you hurting the kid?!” Lilia asked
anxiously. Alda lashed out “Can you pay for my hospital bill if I slipped and hit my head?
You’re so stupid!” Alda then pinched Lilia. “You got two eyes but you can’t even watch your
kids! My goodness! You’re a useless mother! Your kids are either sick or causing trouble here!”
Lilia got angry but Roy cried and hugged his mother “Please stop!” he pleaded but Lilia’s
expression didn’t escape from Alda’s eyes “What? You have the nerve to get angry? How dare
you! Don’t forget where your money’s coming from! Got anything to say?!” she said to Lilia and
glared at her while Lilia shook her head despite getting humiliated by her husband’s sister
“Good”Alda said then looks at Roy and the laundry “Get back to work!” she said and turned
back inside. When Lilia saw that Alda gets back inside the house “Are you hurt, where does it
hurt?”she asked her son worriedly “N-nanay, why are they treating us this way?” Roy asked Lilia
while sobbing “It”s my fault. I shouldn’t have gotten angry. Remember, always respect your
aunts. They’re helping us” said Lilia “But they’re not treating us right!” Roy said while still
crying “Be quiet, son. They’re more educated so don’t talk back at them. Understood? Come on,
let’s get back to work.” Lilia said as she stood up to finish washing the laundry.
“I was with him just last week at the plantation. He seemed healthy.” said Roy’s father friend
“Piping was one of the strongest guys I know. That’s why we were shocked when we heard the
news.” Roy’s father replied while he received the juice pouch and the apple, while Roy’s father
and his friend are talking, Roy was looking at the juice pouch and the straw that was given to
him then his father saw that Roy is having a hard time with his juice pouch he approached him
and teach him with the juice pouch as Roy didn’t know how to put the straw. “Tatay? Can I bring
some home for Ricky?” Roy asked his father “We can’t take food from a wake, okay?” his father
replied as he thrust the sharp end of his straw at the bottom of the juice pouch then stood up to
check his friend at the coffin. “Is this what our life is going to be like? Working in the fields and
plantations until we’re old and weak?” Roy heard the wife of the deceased friend of his father as
he looks back at his apple and sniffed it “and no matter what we do, we won’t prosper! In the
end, we’re going to die without even setting foot in a hospital. I should have forced him to go
there. I should have.” the woman continued as she wailed, Roy took this opportunity to sneak out
some snacks for his siblings, he completely disregard what his father said earlier.
In the field, Roy together with his siblings are sitting and took out the surprise he have for them,
yes the snack the he sneaked out last night. He first gave the apple to Kathy and she happily
accepted the apple. “Be quiet. They might hear us.” said Roy. “Kuya, what about me?” Ricky
asked as Roy gave his younger siblings apple. “You get something.” Roy replied “Come on”
Ricky said while Roy is getting the juice pouch on his pocket and gave it to Ricky “This is for
you. Share it okay?” said Roy and reached the other one at his sister “And this is for you”. His
younger brother ate the apple and thanked Roy as it was his first time eating an apple “Thank
you, Kuya Roy. I’ve always wanted to taste an apple.” “Me too” said his sister while Ricky
asked Roy how to use the straw of the juice pouch “How do we use this, Kuya?” Ricky asked
then Roy demonstrated “Like this… you stick the sharp end in here. Just like this… There. I
learned this last night. You got it?” he said and gave the juice pouch he used for the
demonstration back to his sister and his sister accepted the juice pouch happily “It’s delicious.
Thank you, Kuya Roy!” she said while sipping the juice. “When we’re grown up and finished
school… and we’ve got jobs, we can buy lots of food. We’ll get tired of eating.” Roy said with
confidence. “Tatay says we can only finish elementary school. We can’t enter high school
because we have to help him in the plantation.” Ricky said but Roy is persistent and replied “But
I want to study. I want to be Tita Alda. They finished their studies, that’s why they have a better
life.” “Hushhh, don’t let Tatay hear you say that. If he does… you’re in big trouble.” Ricky said
while Roy looked around to see if his father is around, afraid that he might hear what he said
earlier when he saw that no one is around except them he said “I want us to have the same house
as them, the same food as them. Once we’ve finished our studies, they can’t shout at us and push
us around anymore. Just keep eating. Don’t forget to share.” Roy said. “What about you, Kuya?”
Ricky asked and then reached the juice pouch to Roy but he just refused and said “No, it’s
okay...” then smiled at them.
“Class, who would like to answer problem number one?” Teacher Alda asked the students,
seeing that no one raised their hands Roy raised his “Come here, Roy. Let’s see if you can
answer this.” Teacher Alda said. Roy then stood up and answered the math question at the board,
seeing that he answered it correctly “Very Good” Teacher Alda praised Roy. Few months had
passed.. “If you’ve studied, you get the respect of people.” “ Roy V. Basa, First Honorable
Mention.” “I slowly realized, that’s why I worked harder,” “He will be accompanied by his
parents.” “and did better in my studies.” Roy then stood up and motioned his father and mother
to get up to stage with him, he looked at them expectantly but his father shook his head he and
mother then lowered their gaze “Mr. and Mrs. Basa?” said the announcer but Roy’s parents sat
still this made Roy tear up, Alda and Nimfa looked at each other and Alda approached the
announcer and volunteered “With his proud auntie, Alda Perez!” he announced making Roy
turned around and looked at his auntie on the stage who’s motioning him to go up stage which he
did, he supressed his tears and wore the medal while looking at his parents.
Roy knew that his parents couldn’t afford to send him to high school, but he took the chance and
found a way to make it happen. He applied for scholarship and took the examination he’s very
nervous as the kids around him at the entrance examination are all graduated as first honor in
their school but that doesn’t stop him from getting a scholarship. He passed the examination and
got the scholarship he excitedly came home “Tay, I got a scholarship. I can finally go to high
school.” He said as he ran towards his father. His mother heard Roy and asked what’s going on
“I took an exam at the town hall. And they chose me for their scholarship program. Now I only
have to pay 50 pesos for tuition.” Roy said to Lilia “That’s great news, dear!” Lilia replied
proudly at his son while caressing his face “You’re so cool, Kuya Roy!” said Ricky “I thought I
wouldn’t get it. So many people took the exam, and they were all valedictorian! Now I can go to
school! At La Consolacion! And it’s a private school!” Roy said enthusiastically “What about
your transportation?” his father said ruining the mood, he then walks around “So, where will you
get your transportation money? What about your allowance and everything? I bet there’s more.
You’re 50 - peso tuition won’t be the end of it.” His father said “I’ll still do my best, Tay.” Roy
replied unwillingly “Why can’t you just help our family instead of just studying?! Didn’t we
agree you’d help out in the fields after elementary school? What about the plantation? You really
don’t listen, do you?!” Father shouted at Roy, Roy cried and said “Why can’t you just support
me for once?! I studied so hard! I graduated as third honor, so I thought you’d be proud of me! I
thought you’d think I was smart! All of my classmates’ parents wanted them to graduate. But,
how come you don’t want the same thing for me?!” and then his father shouted “Because you
need to help us!” Roy replied “But, I am doing this for us! I want us to have a better life! I want
to be like Tita Alda and the others!” “That’s the point! That’s exactly what I don’t want! For you
to be just like hem! Don’t you realize how much I’ve done for them?! I bet you don’t, do you?! I
sacrificed my own future for theirs. And what did I get in return? All they did was judge me,
look down on me. As if I had nothing to do with their achievements! And now you want to be
just like them?! You want to become arrogant and judgemental?! That’s all you’ll get from a
damn education.” His resentfully said. “No, Tay.I won't turn into them! I'll help you! and my
siblings! I promise! I really just want to go to school" he said.

Because his father wouldn't support his studies, he was forced to work as a helper for his aunts.
He worked for Tita Alda and Tita Nimfa. Roy was sweeping the floor when Alda arrived and her
daughter greeted Alda "Mama!" while Roy also greeted his aunt "Have you collected the
clothes?" Alda asked "Yes, I've already folded some of them. I'll just iron the rest" Roy replied
"Okay. Let's have dinner." Alda said and went to the kitchen causing Roy who haven't cooked
yet "Why haven't you cooked any rice? Didn't I tell you that when i get home, the rice should
already be cooked?!" Alda said angrily making Roy stutter "I'm sorry." Roy said "Sorry? I thought
you were a smart kid? You can't even follow a simple instructions!" Alda shouted at Roy making
him cry, Aldra grabbed Roy and smacked him in the butt with her slipper "Tita! Please stop!"
Roy cried out but Alda didn't stop until her father came "That's enough!" her father said
"What's going on here?" her mother said as she heard the noises she saw Roy is crying "Go
cooked in the kitchen!" Alda shouted at Roy, while crying he went to the kitchen to cook.

Roy endured it all so he could continue studying. Years had passed and he still works for his
aunts, Roy got matured and taller.

"Okay class. Bring out your writing pads. Let's take the quiz. Get one and pass." His teacher said
while giving the questionnaires. Everyone brings out a pad but Roy doesn't have one, he's
looking at others when his seatmates gave him a pad and a pen after thanking them he then
answered the test. He balanced his work in the fields and plantations, his work in his aunties,
and his study. And during his work on his aunties house he had painful wounds, but the fruits of
his labor were as sweet as sugar can. Months had passed and it's graduation already. Roy was
looking anxiously for his parents as the graduation will be starting soon. His family arrived
together wit his aunt Alda and he approached them excitedly. "Tatay, Nanay, take a seat near
the stage later, okay?" Roy said "Son, we're not coming up to the stage." Lilia said to Roy
"What? You're supposed to give me my medal." Roy said clearly disappointed. "Son, look at the
clothes we're wearing. It's embarassing." Lilia said and Roy looked at his parents' outfit. Roy
looked disappointed and sad that they won't be the one who's going to come up in the stage to
give him the medal. "Roy Basa. Department Special Awardee, Best in Science, Best in Math, and
our Class Valedictorian!" announced by the mc and the crowd clapped their hands while Roy is
looking at his parents, motioning them to go with him at the stage but just like when he
graduated elementary they sat still and his aunt Alda was the one who gave him the medal.

Months had passed..

Roy's Father: "You're making decisions for yourself. You don't even think about what your
family needs."
Roy: "Tay, I'm so close. I can't give up now. I'll finish school in four years. I can go to a state
university, but it's too far. I'll just enroll in Recoletos. But Tatay, I need 3,000 pesos for my
entrance fee." hearing that he will need 3,000 pesos his father lashed out

Roy's Father: "What do you want us to do? Spend our money on that school instead of feeding
your siblings? We'll starve them for you?!"

Roy: "I'll work so I can pay you back. I'm not asking you for money. All I'm asking for is a little
support, Tatay. I already feel down enough as it is." Roy said.

Roy's Father: "What you should be doing right now is helping me provide for this family! You're
aiming too high. You're the only one in this family who's dreaming too big! You're trying to fly
high, you don't even have wings!"

Roy: "What do you want, Tatay? That we all get stuck working in that plantation?"

Roy's Father: "You're too full of yourself. Did you hear what he said?! You're alive today
because of that plantation! Now, you're belittling it?! How dare you look down on me!"

Roy: "I'm not looking down on you, Tatay. I want to finish my studies... so I can be your voice!
Can't you see, Tatay? Your employers are abusing you! Your sisters are belittling you! Not once
did I see you fight back! Not once did you speak up for yourself! All my life, I've seen people
walk all over you! So I'll fight dor you, Tatay. Tatay, once I graduate and achieve something in
life, nobody will look down on you again, you hear me? Is that wrong, Tatay? Is it wrong to
dream for our family? Is it wrong to aim high for all of us?"

His father didn't say anything and walked inside their room. Roy worked hard for two months to
earn 3,000 pesos but he only saved up 1,500 pesos. Roy came to Recoletos with his credentials,
while lining up he heard in the counter that there's an increase. Roy looked around and see the
poster, it says if one is a Valedictorian then the entrance fee is free that makes Roy happy and
asked the person on the counter if it's true and surprisingly it is, you just have to present a
proof that you're a valedictorian of what school. He got enrolled and chose Education for his
course. It was more difficult for him to finish college. He took on different jobs, just so he could
continue going to school. While he was away his grandfather visited his father and told him
what her sisters made his son gone through, they'd bombard Roy with insults. They also ended
up hurting their own nephew. They hurted Roy because he defended him. Although he turned
his back on Roy, his son is always ready to defend my. After he learned what happened to his
son in his sister's house he goes to their house with a sickle on his hands he then shouted
"Alda! Nimfa! You can hurt me, but not my son!" Lilia is calming him down but it's not helping
while they were on the gate Alda and Nimfa came out to see what's going on. "What's
happening? Kuya what's going on?! What is this, Kuya?! Do you want me to call the cops?"
Nimfa asked as they face Roy's Father.

Roy's Father: Go ahead! I don't care! Call the cops! You've treated me like trash for years!
Despite all the sacrifices I made for you! And I was so stupid for believing you, when you called
me worthless... and uneducated! That's why I allowed you to step all over me! But I was wrong!
Because my son, and my family are the ones who are suffering! They don't know how to aim
high because of me! It's a good thing Roy is stubborn and he never listens to me!" It was at this
time when Roy arrived and saw this scene " Unlike me, he knows how to dream big! That's why
you have no right to hurt him! Remember this! Remember this! Someday... he'll be more
successful than both of you! Remember that! My son, Roy, has bigger goals in life than the two
of you! Keep that in mind!" Roy's father said then hit the gate causing the two sisters panic
"Come on! Let's go back inside!" Nimfa said to Alda then they ran back inside "What?!" Roy'e
father shouted, Roy then approached his father "Tatay. Tatay, that's enough. Tatay. Tatay,
that's enough" he said to his father and hugged him, his father's tears burst out and so do
Roy's, Lilia and his siblings also hugged them.

"Roy, I'm sorry. I'm your father... but I was never able to defend you. But believe it or not...
even if I didn't go on that stage with you... even if I'm ashamed of myself... I'm proud of you."
His father said to Roy "Tatay... Don't be ashamed of yourself, Tatay. Because I was never
ashamed of you. I'm sorry, Tatay. I hurt you. It's because I'm too stubborn, Tatay." Roy replied
his father then gently caressed his head "You got that from me." Roy's father said. Roy's
difficulties in finishing his studies remained, but all his burdens seemed to feel lighter. He thinks
it was because he knew he had his family's support. His mother and father decided to sell their
Carabao as they know that it'll be hard for Roy to juggle work with school so they decided and
thought that they could help. "Here. Come on, take it. For your tuition, and Ricky's." Roy's
father said as he reached the money to Roy "You don't have to do this, Tay." Roy said "It's fine,
take it. I should've done this a long time ago. There's a lot I haven't done, actually. This is just
the beginning of me making it up to you." Roy's father replied "Thank you, Tay" Roy said and
then hugged his father and cried in his arms. 4 years had passed and Roy is sitting at the chair
and turned his head to see his father and mother, he saw his mother looking at him proudly
and is smiling "Roy V. Basa, Outsanding Leader Awardee." the host announced and his
classmates and schoolmates clapped their hands as Roy walks up to the stage together with his
father and mother and when they're on the stage, his father wore his medal on him and looks
at him proudly.

He finally fulfilled his dream of becoming a teacher. He was hired to teach at the university
where he was graduated. He then bought boxes of juice pouch and apples with his first
paycheck as a teacher. He gave a box of juice pouch to the farmers while he's on his way back
home, they thanked him and went back to others to share the juice pouch with them.