'Laptop Para sa Pangarap': Turning Dreams Into Degrees

Teacher Melanie Figueroa of Hinaplanon National High School in Iligan City recently took to social media to share her immense pride and joy for the very first beneficiary of her "Laptop Para sa Pangarap" project. Dennis Balagbis, a BS Electrical Engineering student at Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, graduated with Latin honors on February 2.

The 55-year-old teacher vividly recalls the day in the first year of the pandemic, 2020, when she met Balagbis at school as he was there to pick up his younger sister's learning modules.

"Kinumusta ko siya lalo na't noon ay pandemic. At sinabi niya nga sa akin na nahirapan daw siya'ng makipagsabayan sa mga classmates niya kasi wala siyang laptop. Lumang cell phone lang ang gamit niya sa online classes," Figueroa shares.

Keziah Quidlat graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education.

Photo courtesy of Melanie Figueroa.

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The student told her that he had saved P20,000 to buy a laptop, but due to the lack of income during the pandemic, his family had no choice but to dip into his savings. "Yung P20,000 niya, naging P10,000 pesos na lang," Balagbis shared with her.

Figueroa knew she had to do something about her former student's predicament. "Matalino kasi si Dennis, class valedictorian namin siya. So sayang kung hindi siya matulungan," says Figueroa, who then decided to seek assistance from her friends through Facebook.

"I-save mo ang P10,000 mo," she told Balagbis. "Hanapan natin yan ng solusyon. Bumili tayo ng laptop."

Just a few minutes after posting, many pledged to help. "After five days, nakumpleto ko na ang pera niya. Nakalikom ako ng karagdagang P30,000 sa P10,000 niya. Nakabili kami ng laptop na mataas ang specs, yung pang engineering. At mula noon, naging regular na ang pag-attend niya ng online classes," the teacher happily recalls.

Chrisken Sumili graduated cum laude with a Bachelor's degree in Metallurgical Engineering.

Photo courtesy of Melanie Figueroa.

This inspired her to extend her assistance further. Throughout the pandemic, she successfully provided laptops to nine additional college students. "Pang-apat si Dennis sa beneficiary namin na naka-graduate na ng college," Figueroa beams with pride.

The Iligan-born Figueroa, who has dedicated 27 years to teaching in a public high school, has witnessed children grappling with a lack of fundamental necessities.

"Noong naging guro ako sa first year, doon ako namulat. Kasi ang mga bata hindi sila nagtatago kung ano ang kanilang nararamdaman. Kung wala silang baon, nalalaman ko," she says, her voice breaking. "Sa totoo lang, hindi naman ako mayaman pero hindi ko na-experience noong bata ako yung papasok na hindi man lang nakapag-almusal. Kahit pisong pambili ng iced water wala. Sila ang mga batang nag-motivate at nag-inspire sa akin na gawin ang mga proyektong ito."

In 2010, she initiated a Christmas party sponsorship for underprivileged children. "Nag-prepare ako ng bonggang buffet na may mga pagkaing hindi pa nila natitikman. Meron ding mga freebies," she shares.

The following year, she initiated the "Adopt a Student" project. "Ang kauna-unahan kong mga sponsors sa project na yun ay mga batchmates ko from Saint Michael's College," she shares. "I would only ask P1,000 from the sponsors para lang may pambili ng uniform, school supplies, pambayad sa PTA. Pero may mga generous sponsors na nagsasabing bilhan ko na rin daw ng shoes and bags." What began with 25 scholars has grown under her care to a total of 56.

Cassandra Capangpangan graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Filipino.

Photo courtesy of Melanie Figueroa.

"Nakaka-touch din ang pagtitiwala sa akin ng mga tao. Nagme-message sila at tumutulong kahit na hindi nila ako personal na kilala," she says, smiling.

For nine years, Figueroa been organizing the "My Christmas Wish" project during the holiday season. "Every December, tinatanong ko ang mga students sa paaralan namin na hirap sa buhay kung ano ang Christmas wish nila. Pino-post ko ang mga wishes nila at nag-aagawan ang mga sponsors na i-grant ang wishes ng mga bata," she happily shares.

Her goal is to continue doing the "Laptop Para sa Pangarap" project. "Kasi na-realize ko na kahit face-to-face na ang classes, kailangan pa rin talaga ng mga batang ito ng laptop sa kanilang pag-aaral," she says.

For Figueroa, the role of a teacher is dynamic and influential, extending far beyond the confines of the classroom and school. Teachers shape future generations, not only by imparting knowledge but also by molding characters and inspiring positive change in the world.