Hello everyone, my name is John who is currently residing at the Sisters of Mary School. I was born in a lively barrio in Santa Cruz, Marinduque, Philippines. My family was never a perfect one and will never be completed since the identity of my father is unknown even to me. My mother would not tell us who my father was. Every time I ask her about my father, she would remain silent. My mother was Aracely, she is afflicted by different physical disabilities like difficulty in sight and mouth disability (her mouth is circular, resulted from an accident when she was still two years old). She has no permanent job. At the age of four, I have already joined her in begging alms in the bridge of our town. At the end of the day, we could gather at least 50 pesos (approximately $1). The pennies shall then be used to buy rice, kerosene (for house’s light in the evening), and soap. We would also go around the market asking for rejected fruits and vegetables. And we would gather wild vegetables at the river side if there were no available rejected fruits and vegetables in the market.
For five years I have stayed under the custody of my mother. At the age of five, I started living under adoption. But I can’t emotionally describe it as an adoption since the one who cared for me are my relatives. Each relative I could stay at least one year. I have learnt reading during my 3rd grade (9 years old). On the other hand, I have learnt mathematics since my 1st grade (7 years old). I am a math enthusiast and wizard shall I say! I started joining interschool competition during my 3rd grade, during that first experience I’ve acquired the highest score in our division. Starting from grade 3 until grade 6 no one has ever beat my mathematics individual record in Marinduque. During my 6th grade, I represented our province in a regional math competition and fortunately I’ve got the second place.. During my elementary school years, my teachers allowed me to eat the lunch with them. Along my math competition, I’ve also tried competing in journalism (sports writing), science competition and research competitions.
In December 4th 2016, I sailed the sea towards Cavite to take the entrance examination for the Sisters of Mary Schools. I was very inspired to take the examination since I knew that many successful personalities had their education under the roof of the Sisters of Mary Schools. I had with me my aunt’s assistance during the examination and the interview. I waited months to know the result of the exam and interview until finally The Sisters of Mary officially announced that I passed the examination as well as the interview on February 17th, 2017. I graduated in April 7th 2017, acquiring the 1st honor of our batch (having an average of 92.375). Someone from our town took a picture of me wearing medals with my mother and suddenly the picture got viral (it acquired 75, 000 likes). April 24th when I sailed again for Cavite, this is the time when I will start my schooling at the prestigious school of Sisters of Mary School-Adlas, Inc.
Here in the Sisters of Mary School, I continued joining inter-high school competition. During my 7th grade, in my first competition representing the school I became champion. During the Unified Examination of the Sisters of Mary School Philippines (4 campuses) I have become the top one. Along with the academic assistance of the school, it has also offered variety of opportunities. Here, I learned how to weld metals, operate computers, program Arduino, bake goods and more. But the most beautiful treasure that the Sisters of Mary School imparted to me is the inculcation of virtue into my life. They helped me realized that I am someone important, unique, and very much loved. They have also taught me the attitude of gratitude. Here in this school, I acquired the virtue of prayer, obedience, simplicity, charity, and joy. These virtues were already implanted in my mind and heart like a sculptured letters in the stone. We always pray here, especially for the intention of our generous benefactors and friends who continually support us at all costs. They are the enormous and gigantic part of my current condition and my future success of Fr. AL’s charity works continued by the sisters. Currently, I am in the 12th grade and the president of the AGIMath (Aloysian Group of Intuitivist in Mathematics) club of the school. With the aid of the school, I have also acquired a national certification from TESDA in Shielded Metal Arc Welding. Without the Sisters of Mary School and her friends, I would never be what I am today. They will always be here, here in the gigantic and enormous space of my heart.
With the talents, skills, attitude, and knowledge that I have acquired from the Sisters of Mary, I can say that I can now stand independently, but of course with the help of Jesus and Mary. I am planning to have a college life after our graduation. And I hope, things will go even better for me. Well! If someone asks me of my career, I will choose becoming businessmen or broadcaster or even an engineer (hahahahaha!). Someday, if I became successful, I would help other children, the handicapped and the disabled and tell them that they are LOVED, IMPORTANT, AND BLESSED!!!