Life is like a movie. Sometimes, it is comical. Sometimes, full of horror and suspense, and abated anticipation for the next episode. Sometimes, life could be heart-wrenching, specially if it involves the plight of your loved ones. In life, just like in the movies, there are heroes and villains, each one inspiring, uplifting, conspiring, and conniving to make each plot of your life either simpler or more difficult to live in.
Last Monday, April 26, under the sweltering heat of the summer of 2010, Joyce Dy, our batch president, together with VPs Kimball Teng and Henry Wong, who concurrently chairs the Education committee, Go Guan Chi, section coordinator of Chinese College Elective, and myself witnessed the handing out of financial assistance for the education of the children of our batchmates from kindergarten to high school level for the incoming school year 2010-2011. Present to receive the checks were the parents and the student-beneficiaries themselves. Each check is addressed to the name of the student’s school.
This project, which is actually the one of the favorite projects of President Joyce, has finally materialized. Years ago, while still the PRO-Internal of our batch, Joyce told me over a phone conversation that she has a soft spot for the education of the less fortunate. Immediately after joining the alumni association as our batch representative, Joyce put up several funds in the alumni association. Now that she is the president, she is extending her helping hand to our batchmates.
The power of encouragement. With this magical quality to allow someone to continue his studies, a lot of wonderful things can happen. There is that big chance to improve one’s standard of living and thus upgrade one’s status in the society. A family that is given encouragement is like being given a fresh shot of hope. Hope to see a brighter future ahead. Hope to see the kaleidoscope of the rainbow after much trials and tribulations in life. Indeed, to encourage is a great motivator, particularly if you put careful thought into the why, when, and how to going about it.
Along with Joyce who gladly shells out P100,000 annually for this project during her three-year term as president, special thanks should be given to the following batchmates who join in the bandwagon of sharing the gift of education: Nelson Yau, Alexander Lee, Katherine Gaw-Palao, and Amelia Chuasang-Ting of section 6, Belinda Tiu-Tantuco of section 5, Violeta Chua-Reyes of section 4, Anonymous of section 7, Carol Say-Tan of section 8, and Henry Wong of Chinese class.
I know they are going to kill me for mentioning their names as these batchmates would like to be silent and unsung heroes, forever just supporting behind the scenes but just like Efren Penaflorida, the CNN Hero of 2009 who unselfishly share his time and efforts, they share their material resources without expecting something in return except that one day perhaps, they can see these students finish their studies and land a nice and decent job. The accomplishments of these students would be their cherished trophies. Seeing that they regain their dignity and self-confidence, this would be their paramount prized medals and they will bask in the glow of being able to do something constructive for the improvement of their lives.
Personally, I still know of some more batchmates who have been “guardian angels” in helping out in many ways to the under-privileged. I know of several classmates of section 6 who would pool money together to pay for the full tuition fees of a son of their classmate. I know of a dear classmate in my section-8 who would also pay for the schooling of a batchmate’s child. They are like our favorite heroes in the reel world of movies. Life’s twists and turns are unpredictable indeed, yet we are consoled by the fact that the heroes in the fantasy world of cinema can become REAL HEROES in the ACTUAL WORLD as shown by the fine examples of our generous and unselfish batchmates. I have nothing to offer you but sincerest and most grateful “Cheers”!
May the Good Lord provide you with the “domino effect” of a hundred fold of good tidings!
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