Dreams come from every corner of the universe and are most precious to a child’s heart. This is a story about a thirteen-year old boy named Jake Lere P. Boyles, a Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiary from an island barangay called Tigdaranao, in the municipality of Tarangnan, Samar Povince.
Jake Lere, fourth child among seven siblings of Bartolome, a fisherman, and Armida, housewife who also engages in selling puto, moron, and other kakanin, at a young age envisions a better and prosperous life for his family.
A sweet child
According to Armida, Jake Lere is a responsible and obedient child who helps in household chores.
She also recalls how caring and loving he is, often asking them if they have eaten already and offering them food. Also, after giving birth to their youngest child last 2011, Jake Lere was more hands on in taking good care of the needs of her mother who was then still recovering her strength from the delivery while Bartolome was working.
Jake Lere helps his parents care for his siblings. He would tutor them by helping with their assignments and projects, especially in Math and Science.
Four-year old sister Jayde says that Jake Lere would often buy her bread as “pasalubong” when he goes home from school.
An achiever
Jake Lere has been consistently on top of his class. During his elementary days, he had received various recognitions, not only academically but also as Most Responsible, Punctual, Industrious and Active student in class.
He graduated in Tigdaranao Elementary School as Class Valedictorian. He was awarded with the Congressional Academic Excellence Award and Leadership Award for the excellent leadership shown and shared to his fellow schoolmates last March 2014.
For Jake Lere, education is important in achieving his dreams of becoming a chef or a scientist to be able to help his parents uplift their living condition. This gave him the encouragement and inspiration to continue high school despite all the complexities and challenges in their lives.
He is currently enrolled at Tarangnan National High School located in the poblacion that is 15-20 minutes of boat ride from their home barangay. Though sometimes it is difficult to travel to school especially during the “habagat” season when the waves are huge, he is still determined to attend classes regularly.
“Dako it amon pagpapasalamat nga nahiabot an Pantawid Pamilya bisan ha amon isla, salit diri ko ini kakaragan nga oportunidad ngan maeskwela ako hin maupay para ha akon pamilya (We are very thankful that Pantawid Pamilya has reached even our island, so I will not waste this opportunity and I will study hard for my family ),” Jake Lere expressed.
Math and Science are his interests according to his Science subject teacher Maxima Basa. She describes the child as active and enthusiastic during classroom discussions and science contests. Jake Lere has been part of different science contests and competitions where Basa is one of the teachers organizing such events: 1st place in Large Barge and water rocket and 2nd place in water transportation in 2014 and 1st place water transportation in 2015 during Science Olympics. She also said that the child is “cute” or charming and demonstrated a sense of leadership skills and volunteerism especially as an active member of Boy Scouts Organization.
The boy with many gifts
Gerlita Arcilles, Grade VIII Section 1 adviser says Jakelere is one of his top performing students in class. She described Jake Lere as “buotan ngan aktibo ini nga bata”. He is active during class discussions and participates in workshops. He also displays leadership in any school activity and is endowed with skills, especially in drawing.
In his Grade V and VI, he excelled even more, and his talent on drawing was recognized.
As a growing teenager, he loves to be with his friends and share stories with them. He is also fond of playing volleyball and badminton. Aside from his passion on drawing, he is also good in singing and dancing.
A leader full of charisma
His teacher Nice Tamor described Jake Lere as a diligent and active student with a sense of leadership.
He was an active leader at school wherein he was elected twice as President of the Student Pupil Government Organization during his grade V and grade VI and was an active member of the Boy Scouts Organization which enhanced his leadership skills. According to him, attending the Students Pupil Government Seminar in Catbalogan last 2012, was one of his most memorable experiences. He learned so many things on leadership, and that to be “a good leader, one must be a good follower.”
In spite his active life in school, he is a vigorous youth in the community. For three years he has been a member of Tigdaranao Youth Organization. While with the said group, he joins in various activities of the youth such as volleyball tournament.
Moreover, his strong faith with the Lord Almighty was all the more strengthened when he started attending Flores de Mayo and Catechism classes last year 2013 where his friends were also attending. From then on, he was visible in religious activities organized by the Parish Pastoral Council and fellow youth in the barangay. He is an active member of the Ministry on the Knights of the Altar serving their parish during Holy Eucharist celebration.
On year 2013, he participated in the Disaster Risk Reduction Hazard Vulnerability Assessment and Mapping in the barangay wherein he learned how to be disaster prepared. He then became a member of the Security team established in their school.
“Akos ko an pagbabago kay pursigido ako magmaupay it akon kinabubuwason para ha akon pamilya pati na gihap han akon komunidad (I can make a positive change because I am determined to have a better future for my family and the entire community),” says Jake Lere, 2015 Regional Pantawid Pamilya Exemplary Child of Eastern Visayas, who also wish to further express himself through a siday which he created.
Ako may siday I have a poem
Siday na haliputay A short poem
Na ipapabati ha iyo I will recite to you
Unta kamo malipay. Hope you will be delighted.Usa la ako na bata I am only a child
Bata na islahanon A child from an island
Malipayon, buotan Happy, kind
Ngan makisasangkayon. And friendly.Ha akon kinabuhi In my life
hingyap an pagaram Desire is to study
agud makaangbit to obtain
maupay na hibaruanan good learnings
Ngan makatalwas man To be saved
hini na kakurian. from this hardship.Lugaring kay kablas But I am poor
Waray kalungganayan No privileges.Sobra an pag-antus Persisting too hard
Samtang nageskwela While studying
An balon gintitipigan pa have to save my allowance
Panisnak, project, panbayadsa eskwela for snack, project, school fees
Ngan an tarabukon isla pa . And even crossing an island.Ini nga programa This program
Pantawid Pamilya Pantawid Pamilya
An ira bulig their role
ha aton pagsuporta. is to support us.An sadang ha aton ginhimo nira They did everything for us
ngan ayaw gad man liwat but let us not
tanan iasa. depend everything on them.Yana nabatian an tunog han akon dughan Now you’ve heard the beat of my heart
an yakan han kasingkasing what my heart says
pitik han kalipayan leap of joy
akon hinihingyap my aspiration
an kauswagan is prosperity
agud maglakaton ha tadong na dalan. To walk on an upright path.//