This teacher from Palawan was shocked upon seeing his student crying after announcing that she’s included in the honors list.
“Break time nila. Nangyari po iyan dito sa classroom ko. Nag-announce po ako kasi mayroon na po silang grade. After ko na ma-announce sino kasama dun sa mga with honors, may napansin ako dito sa may gilid may umiiyak. Sabi nung mga kaklase niya, ‘Umiiyak si Aya.’ Sabi ko, ‘Bakit siya umiiyak?’” 29-year-old teacher Bobby Sebido Manipol from Macarascas Elementary School told The Philippine STAR.
Teacher Bobby then immediately checked and asked why his grade 3 student, Aya, became emotional.
“Tinatanong ko siya anong naramdaman niya bakit siya naiyak nang ganon?
Sabi niya nami-miss niya ‘yung parents niya.That time kasi wala ‘yung mama at papa niya medyo na-busy sa work. Nasa El Nido,” he recalled.
Teacher Bobby admitted that his heart was pinched on Aya’s situation at that time.
“Sa’ming mga teacher, kailangan talaga bawat isa sa kanila kilala namin. Kailangan namin alamin kung ano bang sitwasyon nila sa bahay. Kami na ‘yung pangalawang magulang nila so kahit wala ‘yung magulang nila, nandiyan pa rin kami para sa kanila,” he noted.
Aya was a consistent achiever this school year. Last recognition day, her mom, Jeselyn was able to join her on stage.
But this time, due to distance and work-related conflict, Mommy Jeselyn and her stepfather wouldn’t make it on her special day.
“Nung time po na ‘yon nasa El Nido, Palawan po ako. May sakit po kasi ‘yung [step] father niya. Tapos pumunta ako doon para tulungan. Nung tumawag siya sabi niya sa ‘kin, ‘Ma, Pa with honors ako makakauwi ba kayo?’” Mommy Jeselyn shared.
“Since first quarter with honors na siya sabi ko, ‘Wow, second quarter with honors ka ulit ‘nak dalawang certificate mo na.’ ‘Kaya lang hindi pa ako makakauwi kasi si papa mo hindi pa tapos ‘yung inuuling niya dito.’ ‘Wala pa akong pamasahe ‘nak, antayin ko pa kasi may sakit si papa mo. Diyan ka muna, si ate mo na muna ‘yung paakyatin mo sa stage,” she explained her conversation with Aya.
Since Mommy Jeselyn was staying in a remote area and was busy helping her partner, she didn’t know that her daughter went viral on social media.
“Tumawag ang kapatid ko, sabi niya ‘Hindi mo ba alam na viral na ‘yung anak mo? Panoorin mo ‘yung video.’ Nung pinanood ko ‘yun sabi ko, ‘Ayoko ng ganito masakit sa akin bilang isang ina.’ Sobrang sakit sa dibdib. Sabi ko, ‘Gusto kong umuwi pero may rason din ako na ‘di ko magagawa,’” she stressed.
Teacher Bobby’s video eventually reached out generous individuals that donated money for Mommy Jeselyn’s fare going back to their hometown just in time for Aya’s recognition.
“Nagbiyahe po ako agad kinabukasan tapos oras lang po mga one hour mahigit lang rin po awarding na. Pero siya umiyak na nung nakita niya ako. Sabi ko, ‘Hay, thank you Lord nakahabol pa ‘ko,’” Mommy Jeselyn said.
“Sobrang tuwa ko naman, iba kasi ‘yung pakiramdam ni Aya na ‘yung parents mismo ‘yung pupunta. Ramdam ko sa kanya na iba ‘yung tuwa niya, kumbaga ‘yung achievement niya na ‘yun inaaalay niya sa kanyang magulang,” Teacher Bobby added.
For Aya, it wasn’t just a certificate, it was the fruit of her hardwork for her parents.
“Naiyak po ako tapos may kasama pong saya kasi naging with honors po ulit ako. Natuwa po. Kasi po may nag-akyat na rin po sa akin,” Aya said.
“Sana maging inspirasyon ‘yung naging story ni Aya. Basta may pangarap ka, tuloy lang,” Teacher Bobby said.
To those who want to help Aya, you can send it through:
GCash
09052206456
Bobby Manipol
