Author: Janelle Lorzano

Another testament that with hard work and dedication, nothing is impossible. In 2021, a senior high school student from Isabela took a leap of faith and applied to universities abroad, without expecting anything in return. And he succeeded. He did not just receive one, but seven admission offers from prestigious universities abroad, with scholarship grants totaling P11 million. Benjamin Bagui plans to accept the $100,000 or P5 million Presidential Scholarship from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. He aims to enroll in the university’s architecture program in fall 2022. But he is worried about the huge expenses from arranging papers and…

A fresh graduate from Bacolod offered his success to his parents— a sidewalk vendor and PWD tricycle driver. Joshua Mahilum said that his mother, Jennifer, made sure that her children would be able to finish their studies. Jennifer has been working as a vendor for 16 years now while her husband Ramil uses an artificial leg in order to drive his tricycle. “Parang na set in place lahat. Kasi si mama po grade two lang naaabot niya kasi nag maid na agad siya non di na siya nakapagtapos. So paraang ipinasa niya samin ‘yung ganun. Siya talaga ang supportive sa…

Another story that proves dogs are man’s best friend. This son from Taguig City couldn’t help but reminisce the sweet moments of his father and their pet dog, Browny. Browny showed his love and loyalty up until the final days of Tatay Arnel. Tatay Arnel had been in and out of the hospital ever since he was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in October 2021. Tatay Arnel died on March 8 due to acute kidney failure. It was a difficult moment for his family especially for his best bud, Browny. “Nung umuwi na si mama panay hanap siya sa papa ko.…

This salon employee thought that she would just accompany her bosses to a business meeting last May 18. After traveling for almost three hours from Manila to Olongapo, one of Jiezelyn Camille Agustin’s bosses revealed a surprise. “Pag ka kunyari pumunta tayo sainyo malayo pa?” Camille’s boss Romar Gangcuangco said. “1 hour po, magbubus po,” she replied. “Hindi kasi ibibigay ko na sana sayo itong pamasahe. Para mag bus kana pauwi sainyo,” Romar said. Camille couldn’t understand what’s happening. “Hindi joke lang. Diba kasi loyal ka samin, sa company di ba. Wala lang naiisp lang namin na parang gusto namin pumunta…

This father from San Fernando, Pampanga took care of their children while his wife was working abroad. One day, the family decided to eat out. While waiting for the food to arrive, Kuya Ken handed over a car key to his father. “Oh! Sa inyo nga po ‘yan. Tingnan mo,” Kuya Ken can be heard in the video. “Totoo nga?” Daddy Reggie, who couldn’t believe his children’s gift, said. “Hindi po nila alam na magkakaroon na sila ng sasakyan, dahil hindi na po bago sa kanila na kumain kami sa labas. Pinadeliver po namin ‘yung sasakyan at pinarada malapit sa…

This squad went all out after learning that their friend was expecting a baby boy! From the shoot’s theme, place and outfits, they did not miss the chance to be a stage tito and tita. Freelance photographer Jack Darryl Caballero did not think twice to arrange a special photoshoot for his pregnant friend, Stephannie Jayne Carta. “We started to plan her maternity shoot as soon as we learned that she was pregnant. We congratulated her through messenger. A day after, our friend group arranged a place to meet and eat together as we celebrate her pregnancy,” Jack recalled. “We shared…

Can you recite your parents’ favorite lines at home? You might need it if you are attending this class! Teacher Froyla Tesorio of Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges Gensan thought of a unique way to check the attendance of her students instead of the usual “present ma’am” response. Education student Quennie Joy Apsay said that ma’am Froyla sent a message on their class group chat last March. “For today’s attendance, send an audio message reciting the best line of your mother/father/guardian has told you. If you have concerns that need clarifications, please use our chat room in the messenger to notify…

Imagine being greeted like this after not seeing your grandparents for months! This grandson couldn’t help but share his heartwarming encounter with his 81-year-old lola when he got home to their province. And the videos uploaded on social media were racking up views! The online community was very happy to witness their bonding moment. “Kararating-rating ko lang po nun sa bahay namin sa Oriental Mindoro galing Manila. Alam naman po niyang uuwi ako pero di ko po sinabi kung kelan, para masurpresa siya. Lagi pong ganun ang reaksyon niya pag umuuwi ako dahil siguro namimiss niya po ako. Kaya sabi…

This father from Marikina City loves solving logic puzzles. One day, his daughter Sophia Divinagracia asked him to answer a puzzle without knowing that he would receive a “prize” upon solving it. “Actually on the spot ko lang po naisip mag pasagot muna ng logic puzzle kasi gusto ko po siya I-joke muna na pag hindi niya nasagot hindi pa po namin ibibigay but ang nangyari po nasermonan ako kasi mali po pala ‘yung question na naibigay ko and wala rin po pala siyang idea na gift pala yung sinasagutan niya kaya sobrang priceless po nung reaction niya,” Sophia recalled.…

Indeed, goodbyes hit differently for families with overseas Filipino worker relatives. But it is even harder for children.  This three-year-old boy from Pampanga couldn’t help but become emotional when his Lolo Joel entered the airport during his scheduled flight to United Kingdom. “Ayaw! Ayaw! No! No!” Sebby was heard saying in the video while hysterically crying. His family convinced him to leave the premises after his grandfather entered Clark International Airport. “Ba-bye na.  Come on, Let’s go. Let’s go home na,” Sebby’s family said while trying to calm him down. Mother Kyra Agustin said that it was hard for her…