Living the DREAM for low-income Grade 6 Students

When I said, "Go with the flow," I surely did.

Reflecting on how much I’ve grown, how much my horizons have expanded, the places I’ve reached, the people I’ve met, and the things I’ve accomplished, I can truly say that I went with the flow and made the most of it.

I was raised to believe that high grades were the only thing that mattered. For most of my student life, I drilled into my mind how important education was to me and my parents. “Daytoy lang ti maited mi kanyayo, sunga lalaingen yu” (This is the only thing we can give you, so do your best). These words from my parents echo into my mind every day.

We are a big family. I saw my parents strive to make ends meet; it wasn’t easy. I witnessed their silent struggles and how they would sometimes forgo eating to their fill so we could have enough. So, whenever an opportunity to study arose, I seized it. That’s when we heard about Gawad Pangarap Foundation. It was unprecedented, not planned at all. But throughout my high school life, they eased our burdens and carried the weight of my education. With their help—with YOUR help—we survived.

I graduated from SHS during the pandemic. I was young, naïve, and someone who just went with the flow; as long as it didn’t harm me, I would follow along. I once dreamed of becoming an engineer at UNP—not because it was a passion I had imagined for myself, but because my friends were going there. So, I thought I might as well enroll in a course offered there that matched my STEM strand, aside from medical courses (which I didn’t like because I’m not fond of hospitals).

I remember how my best friends and I planned out who would cook, wash the dishes, and take care of everything we needed in our "dorm." It was a lot of fun—until I found out I wasn’t qualified for that course. To be fair, I had only applied to UNP. In my mind, it was either engineering or teaching, - nothing else. So, when I heard I wasn’t qualified, I quickly gathered my requirements for ISPSC because enrollment was almost over by then.

Before entering college, I promised myself to lie low. My life in high school was hectic; packed with extracurricular activities that, though enjoyable, drained my energy at times. But what surprised me was how a single movie turned my life around. "Ma'am, ni Aura Marie, bida suna idi jay maysa a movie mi di high school" (Ma'am, I suggest Aura Marie, she was once the main character of a movie during high school). One simple suggestion turned my almost peaceful college life into a hectic ride.

I have represented ISPSC for three years in the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) as an actress. I was given roles I never imagined I could pull off and met many people with whom I formed lasting bonds. With passion and dedication, I traveled from PSU Pangasinan, to DMMSU La Union, and last year, to MMSU, Ilocos Norte. I never imagined myself to be an “all over the place” person—not in a bad way, of course. Though it was challenging, I was able to balance my extracurricular activities, academics, and even leadership roles. I dreaded responsibility but was elected as Vice President of our English Organization and served there for almost three years. I was also chosen to revive the official publication of the College of Teacher Education (The Didache) as Editor-in-Chief.

I used to think I was pursuing a course that wasn’t right for me, simply going along with the passage of time. For almost three years in college, I believed that teaching and I were not meant for each other. But when I finally entered the field and began teaching my students, I discovered the answer to my question: “Why teaching?” As selfish as it may seem, I don’t want to be forgotten. Life is uncertain, and I want to leave a mark while I’m here. Teaching gives me the perfect platform to do this, as it allows me to influence and contribute to the success of my students—a lasting impact they will carry with them throughout their lives. Just like how GAWAD Pangarap Foundation, who believed in me and supported my dreams, left a mark on my life, I hope to inspire and uplift others in the same way.

I am AURA MARIE L. CARBONEL, a graduate of Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in English, Cum Laude, loud and proud to be the first batch of GAWAD Pangarap Scholars.

Here is another true to life story on how Gawad Pangarap Foundation, Inc has fulfilled a dream that almost gone and forgotten after Grade 6. Thank you for your support and commitment believing in our advocacy. Pls. continue to send in your donations to the link below: https://goto.gg/38937. Thank you a million times.