Possible
(Written by Jose Angelo Lorenzo S. Gomos)
Dreams in life – are they possible to happen or do they just remain in our imagination, forever trapped inside our wishful thinking?
Our dreams have their own limits. Life naturally has its barriers. The line of possibility of achieving our goals and aspirations in life is sometimes thin, weak, and easily snapped. But what if we try to break these barriers and believe more in ourselves that we can make the impossible, possible? After all, we are the ones weaving the thread of our fate.
Every student’s dream is to graduate college, earn a prestigious degree, find a job, become successful, and in turn, help their family. When students are often asked what they genuinely want to achieve, they often answer that they want to acquire success through education. Naturally, that is what all students want.
But education, in factuality, requires money.
But what if a student comes from a financially-challenged family? Will that student still be given the best education he deserves?
One student made it possible.
Christian Rey Udang Raluto is an 18-year old student from Xavier University. Known as “Chan” to his family and friends, he is taking up Mechanical Technology and is currently in his third year in college.
Christian Rey Udang Raluto
Chan is one extraordinary student. Although he grew up from a family that is barely below the average line in financial terms, he was raised well with the right virtues and an ethical conduct. He is a scholar in the university, determined to keep his grades stable and intact. Despite all of his struggles in life, Chan plans to attain success in every possible and inspiring way.
Chan was born on the 20th of December in 1994. The eldest of four siblings, his parents told him that he already has the obligation to become the bread winner of the family when he graduates college. This propels him to finish his education and to further his dreams in life. He aspires to help his family someday, not to return the favor of them taking care of him, but he thinks that it is the right thing to do. He believes that his family is his refuge in times of trouble and that they will forever abide by him when he needs them the most.
Chan’s mother works as a house help and his father is a freelance worker. The family earns their income through each of the parent’s job but, when asked if their financial sources were enough for them, Chan said that they were just minimal, that they could just supply the most basic of their necessities (e.g. food on the table, electricity and water bills, and allowances). Despite the challenge in keeping up with their financial stability, Chan’s parents are able to provide love and support for their children. Love in the family, is something that money could not buy nor could be exchanged with.
Chan’s home is in Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City. He grew up there as a kid and he still lives there with his family to this day. He recalled the events from his past when he was still a child, playing with his neighbors on the streets along their home. He said that it was one of the most valuable memories in his life. He also told the events when he would go with his mother to the market to buy supplies of food for the family. It was one his hobbies to help his mother with shopping inside the marketplace. And when he and his mother would go home, bringing with them their plastic bags filled with vegetables and fruits from the market, they would be welcomed by the excited hugs from his little siblings.
As a child, Chan dreamed to become a professional engineer. He said that he’d love to build things, especially to build a “mansion” suitable for his family to live in.
“First dream jud naku in life kay ang mahimung engineer. Katung bata pa ko, ganahan gyud ko sa mga buildings ug gi-unsa sila pag construct.” [My first dream in life is to become an engineer. When I was still a kid, I liked to look at buildings and wondered how they were constructed], Chan said in the interview. His dream was as high as the buildings he used to marvel at.
He was enrolled in West City Central School in his elementary years and then transferred to MOGCHS (Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School) when he reached his high school days. Even as a student in the primary and the secondary level, Chan was good with his grades. His favorite subjects were Science (particularly Physics and Chemistry) and Filipino. Not only was he doing well with his academics, he also excelled in the fields of sports. He loves to play basketball and participated in various games during his high school intramurals. He also hung out with his friends during his spare time every weekend or in break time in school. He was a student-athlete in his years in high school.
Chan in a basketball game
Chan graduated from high school in the year 2011 and upon achieving this stage of success, he was excited to move on to college for the possibility that he could become a professional engineer someday. Finally, he thought, he will be able to take a step closer to his dream.
Chan displaying a smile on his face when he received his high school diploma during his graduation
Chan with a friend during his high school graduation
But things went not according to what he planned for his future when his father confessed to him that he probably won’t be going to college for the reason that his family was unable to support him for a college education.
His hopes were shattered as he realized that his dream of becoming an engineer will be put on hold.
“Abi naku mao na gyud to, na maka-tungtung na jud ko sa college. Kaso lang, wala may pang tuition akung mga ginikanan.” [I thought that was it, that I would be able to enter college. Only then I knew, my parents had no money to pay for my tuition], Chan said.
It was during this situation wherein he began to ask himself some significant questions regarding himself, his family, and the future before him. “Will I ever become successful in life? Will I be able to support my family someday? What will become of me when I do not get a decent college degree? What will be my job? How will I earn for a living?”
Chan believed that there was more to life than the problem he was facing at that moment. He didn’t want to give up on his dream and he didn’t want to give up on himself. He didn’t want to put his life to waste as well as be a burden to his family.
Fate turned out to be kind to him when his ambition had risen anew when a Good Samaritan came to the rescue.
Henry Howard, an American businessman, who was also a past-employer of Chan’s father (Chan’s father was a bodyguard of Henry Howard before), offered his help to give the possibility and the opportunity for Chan to enter college – and not just in any college, but the prestigious university of Ateneo de Cagayan.
His hope was rekindled.
“Kung makapasar daw ko sa entrance exam, mahatag sa akua ang scholarship.” [If I pass the entrance exam, the scholarship will be given to me], Chan stated.
He took the entrance exam with full desire and the eagerness to pass as if his entire life depended on it. Eventually, when the results came in, he was fortunate to have passed it. He was then grateful for acquiring the scholarship he thinks he deserves.
But upon choosing his course, he decided to take Mechanical Technology for the reason that he wants to get good grades and maintain them consistently. Mechanical Technology is also related to the field of Engineering, the one which he wants most.
He has been a scholar in the university since he first entered college up until now, in his third and final year in his course (Mechanical Technology only comprises three years in college and then one whole year for the OJT before graduation). He said he loves his course just as much as he loves the university in which he is enrolled in. Being an Atenean, he said that he keeps on conforming himself to the values that students need to practice. Subsequently, he tries to be competent in his studies, conscientious of the people around him, and committed to his goals in life.
This photo was taken during Chan’s first year in Xavier
Chan wearing Xavier University’s P.E. uniform
When asked if he had any difficulties in maintaining his scholarship, he answered, “Naa man, especially sa numbers – sa Physics, sa problem solving – lisud sila. But gina try naku akung best na maka study para ma-maintain ang mga grado.” [There are difficulties, especially in relation to numbers – Physics, in problem solving – they are all difficult. But I try my best to study so that my grades will be maintained]. He also mentioned that whenever he feels tired, stressed (as most hardworking students usually and normally feel), and on the verge of giving up, he always reminded himself about his dream in life. He is very much determined to fulfill it – to become successful through his education and to help his family.
Chan usually studies at five o’clock in the morning. He balances his time in academics and his social life. When asked which of the two he preferred to focus more on, he said that it would be his academics. He believes that his friends in his social circle are good for him, but that his academics more than significant. After all, what a student should do is to study well in order to learn, for that is one of the necessary reasons why a student goes to school. The Q.P.I. that Chan needs to maintain is above 2.50. Because of his hard work and determination, he passed all the subjects that he took and manages to reach a Q.P.I. that is higher than the average.
This photo was captured by Chan’s friend. It was during the time when he visited his friend’s house to study together.
Throughout his years in college, Chan didn’t enroll in summer classes. He said that he prefers to stay and help with his family at home when he isn’t in school and often plays basketball with his younger siblings.
Chan is also motivated by his parents to study hard. He said that his parents give him propelling moral support so that he could achieve his dreams in life. His family is his inspiration to gain the courage to strive further and succeed.
He said that he is ultimately grateful to be a scholar. His education is completely important for him – it is something that he wouldn’t allow to slip from his fingers. He always reminds himself that he is lucky enough to have a scholarship in a prestigious university such as Xavier, and so he must make the most of it. He said, “Without the scholarship, dili ko maka eskwela sa Xavier. Gina try naku akung best para maka pasar sa Xavier. Mao na siya ang way para ma-responsible ko” [Without the scholarship, I will not be able to enter Xavier University. I try my best to pass in Xavier. This is the way to make myself responsible].
When asked what his message to his sponsor is, he said, “Thank you for the support and God bless. My success is your success, too. Without you, I can never be able to reach my dreams.”
He gives his message to his fellow scholars, saying, “Work hard, never give up, make things happen – always believe that everything is possible.”
Chan will finish his college education this school year and will have his OJT next year. And when he is done with his job on training, he will go back to Xavier University for his graduation, and soon earn a degree that would change his and his family’s lives forever, leaving a footprint on the road of his journey towards his own triumphant success.
The possibility of our dreams in life varies from the circumstances we are facing. They may have limits brought about by the challenges, the hardships, and the trials in our lives, but they always have a way to return to us and make us believe that we are capable of achieving them. Chan is an epitome of a dreamer and an achiever. He has a bright and prosperous future ahead of him and he is able to make certain of it by working hard and never giving up in spite of his personal challenges. A student like him would go far. It takes a whole lot of courage to breach the barriers that separate us from our ambitions. It takes a leap of faith to see them happen. It takes a long and grueling journey to reach our destination. It all depends on us. We weave the thread of our fate.
Are dreams achievable?
One student made it possible.
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