“Hindi po ako titigil sa pagtulong hanggang sa mag-retire ako.”
This was the heartfelt statement of Melanie Figueroa, a Social Studies teacher at Hinaplanon National High School in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, after she was honored by the Office of the Ombudsman of Northern Mindanao for her advocacy programs, including the “Laptop Para sa Pangarap,” and “Adopt-a-Student,” among others.
In an interview with a media company, Figueroa shared that she received the citation under the “Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Act” Award for HIP – Honesty, Integrity, and Public Accountability.
She recalled receiving a call from the office regarding her “Adopt-a-Student” advocacy, as they wanted to learn how she implemented the program.
The office covered all the expenses of the awardees when they were flown to Manila for the awarding ceremony.
Figueroa’s Advocacies
Laptop Para sa Pangarap
This advocacy began during the pandemic, when having a gadget such as a Smartphone, tablet, or laptop became a crucial need for students to submit their requirements and attend online classes.
She started by helping her students, whom she knew were deserving but lacked the financial capacity to buy new gadgets. The first recipients of laptops were honor students who only had cellphones and couldn’t afford to buy a new laptop. Through the help of friends, acquaintances, and even strangers, she was able to raise funds to buy them laptops.
“Just imagine cellphone lang ang gamit sa online class samantalang iyong mga kaklase nila nakalaptop, paano po sila makikipagsabayan nang patas.
Kawawa naman po,” she said in an interview.
Her story went viral on social media and was even featured on various TV shows such as “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS),” after her advocacy had helped student-recipients graduate from college, receive awards, and pass their respective licensure examinations.
Adopt-a Student: Kaagapay sa Pangarap
Even after the pandemic, Figueroa continued her compassion and charitable efforts for her deserving students by finding ways to help them meet their needs in their studies.
She said that she has started giving out learning kits and school uniforms again to selected students as part of her project. According to her, even before “Laptop para sa Pangarap,” she had already been doing this project, but it was only halted during the height of the pandemic.
“Ito po actually ang pinaka-una kong project… Adopt A Student po ang tawag ko but this time iniisip ko palitan, nag-start ito noong 2011 pa,” she said.
“Intended ito sa mga students na walang-wala talaga kahit uniform or isang notebook. Hinahanapan ko sila ng benefactors, kumbaga ima-match ko sila.”
“Ang lahat ng needs ng bata from uniform, school supplies, at ‘yong bayarin sa school like mga PTA fees, ID, insurance, kahit nga shoes, bags and even daily allowance ng bata, pang-lunch at iba pa. Nakadepende sa benefactor kung magbibigay pa siya after ma-meet ang needs ng bata.”
“Taon-taon umaabot ako ng mga 50 to 55 kids. Nahinto lang ito noong pandemic time kaya lumabas ‘yong Laptop para sa Pangarap, ‘yon ang naisip kong pamalit.”
Even today and up to her retirement, without awards and recognitions, Figueroa said she will continue her advocacy for Filipino children and students in simple ways, but with an extraordinary impact on their lives.
