Dance With the Father

Everybody's Scholar

"There will always be people whom God will send to help us get through the storm."

It was a challenging road for me. I was definitely blessed to have a mother who would do everything for me just to make sure I finish my studies. When our family was hit by financial crisis, there was a debate between my parents whether I should still continue my studies in an exclusive school for girls. Studying in an exclusive school for girls is expensive and if ever I continue to attend one, worse comes to worse, we would have nothing left to eat. But still, my father won the debate and defended my schooling. I stayed in the exclusive school. To be honest, I didn't want to transfer, too. It was only my mom who was persistent that I should be transferred to a school that was would match our budget. I think my father was holding on to the fact that he wanted to give me the best education there is. I was able to finish my high school in the exclusive school for girls through the help of family's friends and godparents. Without their help, I would not have finished my studies in a private school.

With high hopes to let me finish in a prestigious school, I enrolled in University of Sto. Tomas (UST). I only took two college entrance exams―UP and UST. I knew very well that I might not able to make it to the University of the Philippines (UP) because I was not that intelligent, but because it was way cheaper than the other big universities, I still tried. But UST was the school that I was really looking forward to get into. It is cheaper compared to Ateneo and La Salle and I have the confidence that I will pass the test. And so I did; I was admitted and pursued a degree in UST. Again, we struggled financially just to get me through my first year in college. That's when my parents encouraged me to try to avail any of the scholarships offered by the university. With this in mind, I was so determined to excel so that I can avail any scholarship. I was doing well in school. However, during preliminary examinations, we weren't able to make a pay; thus, I was not allowed to take the exams. My parents did everything they could to gather the amount needed, but failed. And so, with the amount we gathered from our family's friends and relatives, I submitted a promissory note which the school approved for me to take the exams. This has become the routine for one year. Every time we would face this financial crisis, my father would try his best to provide, but always ends up asking help from my mom. However, everything was way better when I applied for scholarship in my sophomore year. Though it was helpful, it still was not sufficient so we ask help from other people. On my third and fourth year, I was fortunate enough to receive a full scholarship. I really worked hard for it since I wanted to finish my studies and eventually pay the people who have helped us get through this hurdle. We were blessed with people who helps whenever we are in great need. God used them to make us realized that there is still hope. I was everybody's scholar. I am God's scholar.

Now, I realized that my father's love for me is beyond more than what I can imagine. He wanted the best for me. Being a Thomasian himself, he wanted me to finish my studies in UST, too. He was doing the best that he can. I know that at times, his best was not good enough, but for me all the effort he gave for me will forever be treasured.

I graduated with honors. It was only then that I realized how proud he was of me. He may not say or express it often but I realized that he was proud of who I have become and what I have achieved. I know that he felt helpless during the time when he cannot do anything to finance my studies, but seeing me finish my studies with honors made him the happiest father that day. I know that my father will forever be grateful to the ones who helped me finish my studies. Yes, he may be disappointed that he failed to finance my studies on his own, but I know that my father learned that there will always be people whom God will send to help us get through the storm.

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." ― 2 Corinthians 9:8