By Lina Sagaral Reyes
Special correspondent .
(Last of two parts)
Garland-making for graduation ceremonies is a brisk cottage industry in Sitio Palalan, Barangay Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City. Three generations of garland makers tell their stories of getting basic education and the circumstances why getting a diploma had been elusive.
Rimma
Born in the 70s, high school undergraduate
“I remember how Mother used to tell us to value schooling, and finish high school as prospects are better for those who have higher education. I was dreaming I would be working in an office as a clerk or a saleslady in a department store. But I fell in love with a construction worker and got pregnant at 14.
“My mother did not want me to get married yet and she said she can help take care of the child and I can get back to school, finish high school and get to college.
“But I decided to get married instead, and I have been married for 25 years now. I have a son and three daughters. My husband is a good provider. He is a skilled mason and carpenter, and because there is a boom in construction around town, he always has some contractual work. But he is much older than me, his health is declining.
“My mother Marlinda told me it was better to earn my own keep so that I would not be dependent on my husband’s income alone. So I am sort of a handywoman, I learned some skills like carpentry, dressmaking and cooking.
“She was happy we graduated from the elementary grades, at least , she told us, we are better educated than she. She made us garlands made from fresh gardenia and everlasting and corsages of orchids and ferns on graduation day.”
Marimar, Rimma’s
second daughter
Born in the 2000s, senior high school
“When I left home in October last year to live with an aunt, I thought it was the best way I could finish high school and still keep my sanity. Everyday my mother kept telling me I would fail, that I would get pregnant and follow my older sister’s path. Her words were daily sermons. She could not understand why I needed to have a cell phone and get regular loads. She cannot understand why I have to frequent the internet café because of the online research assigned to us in my science classes. I got depressed and angry. I understood she meant well but it did not feel all right to be subjected to the verbal flood,”
“It appeared easy to succeed. Tuition was free and I had a scholarship from a Japanese foundation that provided for almost everything I needed including transportation allowance, books and school supplies. Then, in January I got invited to a party where I met a man who convinced me to work for him as a runner for suretres, a gambling business. It was good at first and I was happy to earn for the first time. I bought my own smartphone and a tablet.”
“Then, we had a run-in with the police, and I had to return home.When I tried to return to school, I could not. I was absent from my classes for so long, the teachers would no longer accept me. So I lost my 12th year, and missed the chance to graduate.”
Last month, she met a military sergeant who offered her what she thinks is the best deal ever she cannot refuse.
“He said we can get married and he can send me to school. We agreed that I should not get pregnant until I can finish high school. So we will practice family planning and use contraceptives.’’
“I had been a headache to my parents these past months. This is one story that I will tell my children. But I will find a way of telling them so that none of them will feel pressured to leave the family when they are still unprepared. My mom had said that she would make me two dozens of garlands if I can graduate in 2020. She’d better be prepared with those leis because I will work hard to make that possible.”
More girls graduated from the elementary and secondary education in 2011. The completion rate for females at the elementary level was 77.14 per cent (77 girls for every 100) while male completion was 67.65 (68 boys for every 100). The GPI was 1.14 (104 girls for every 100 boys) – Philippine Statistics Authority Gender Fact Sheet March 2019
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