Bobong ini TV

09/08/2024

A Journey of Love and Sacrifice
By: Oliver O. Suarez

In a happy neighborhood in Cabugan, Bag-ong Lungsod, Tandag City lived a couple named Racquel and Victor Suarez. They married young, and soon after, their small home echoed with the laughter of children. Their firstborn, Oliver, was followed by Lovecel Pearl, Jester Lloyd, and Christine Faith. Life, however, was far from easy.

Victor worked tirelessly, taking up any job he could find. By day, he pedaled a pedicab, transporting people around town. By night, he worked on construction sites, his hands roughened by the labor. In between, he sold fish and food, doing everything he could to provide for his family. Racquel, too, was always busy. She sold hotcakes and bread at the market, her smile hiding the fatigue she felt.

Despite their struggles, they dreamed of a better life for their children. But with four kids to care for, and Racquel unable to finish her college education, the future seemed uncertain. Yet, they never lost hope.

One day, fortune smiled on Victor when he was hired as a bus conductor at Grandland Transport Express. It was a tough job, one that took him away from home for long hours even days. He faced many dangers, even being held up three times. The third time, his life was at risk, but he knew he had to keep going—for his family.

With this new job, Victor made a bold decision. He encouraged Racquel to return to college and pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. Though it meant more sacrifices, they both knew it was the right thing to do. While Racquel studied for her degree in Elementary Education, she continued to earn extra money by tutoring children and selling food. It was a difficult time, with four kids and Racquel now a student, but they pushed through.

One day, Victor came home, looking more exhausted and shaken than usual. Racquel was at the small table, surrounded by her college books, when she noticed his troubled expression.

“Racquel, we need to talk,” Victor said, slowly putting down his bag and sitting heavily at the table.

Racquel looked up, concern filling her eyes as she noticed his pale face. “Victor, what happened? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Victor sighed deeply, his voice trembling slightly. “I… I almost didn’t make it home tonight. They held us up again, Racquel. This time… they had a gun.”

Racquel gasped, rushing to his side and holding his hands. “Oh my God, Victor! Are you hurt?”

Victor shook his head, but his eyes were distant, haunted. “No, I’m fine… but I don’t know how much more of this I can take. I’m scared, Racquel. I’m scared that one day, I won’t come back to you and the kids.”

Tears welled up in Racquel’s eyes as she gently stroked his cheek. “Victor, you’ve been so strong for us… I never wanted you to face this danger. But… what can we do? We need your income, especially now that I’m back in school.”

Victor looked down, his voice barely a whisper. “I know. But every time I get on that bus, I think about you, about our children… and I wonder if it’s worth the risk.”

Racquel squeezed his hands tightly, her voice filled with determination. “Victor, you’ve done so much for us… for me. But I can’t lose you. We’ve come this far together, and I know it’s hard, but we’re so close. I’ll finish college soon, and then… you won’t have to do this anymore. We just have to hold on a little longer.”

Victor nodded slowly, trying to muster strength from her words. “You’re right… we’ve sacrificed so much already. But Racquel, promise me… if anything ever happens to me, you’ll keep going. You’ll become that teacher you’ve always dreamed of being.”

Tears spilled down Racquel’s cheeks as she held his face in her hands. “Don’t talk like that, Victor. Nothing’s going to happen to you. We’re going to get through this—together. And when I become a teacher, I’ll make sure you can finally rest. I promise.”

Victor leaned into her touch, closing his eyes as he found comfort in her words. “I trust you, Racquel. For our family… we’ll make it through.”

Racquel pulled him into a tight embrace, her voice firm despite her tears. “We will, Victor. We will.”

At last, Racquel graduated and passed the board exam. She became a Kindergarten teacher at Tandag Pilot Elementary School. The day she started teaching was one of the proudest moments in their lives. Victor finally resigned from his job as a bus conductor and found other work, allowing him to support the family in a different way.

Years passed, and all their hard work bore fruit. Oliver became a teacher, Lovecel Pearl a social worker, Jester secured a job at a top hospital in the Region, and Christine Faith followed in her mother’s footsteps as a teacher in a private school. Their youngest, Deborah, was still in nursing school, but she was determined to make her parents proud.

Life had been hard, but through love, sacrifice, and unwavering determination, the Suarez family thrived. They knew that together, they could overcome anything.

With Comprehension Questions:

1. What jobs did Victor take on to support his family?
a. Pedicab driver and bus conductor b. Teacher and market vendor
c. Fisherman and construction worker d. Lawyer and doctor

2. Why did Victor decide to send Racquel back to college?
a. He wanted her to become a lawyer.
b. He believed education would help the family in the long run.
c. He wanted her to stop working at the market.
d. He wanted to spend more time at home.

3. What was the most significant challenge Victor faced while working as a bus conductor?
a. Long working hours b. Dangerous hold-ups
c. Harsh weather conditions d. Physical exhaustion

4. How did Racquel manage to balance her studies with supporting the family?
a. She stopped working completely.
b. She took her classes and continued selling food and tutoring.
c. She relied solely on Victor’s income.
d. She worked as a bus conductor with Victor.

5. Which of the following best describes the theme of the story?
a. The importance of wealth in achieving success
b. The power of love and sacrifice in overcoming challenges
c. The benefits of formal education
d. The risks associated with dangerous jobs

6. What does Victor’s decision to send Racquel back to school reveal about his character?
a. He was selfish and wanted her out of the house.
b. He was thoughtful and foresaw the long-term benefits of education.
c. He was tired of working and wanted her to earn more.
d. He didn’t care about his own safety.

7. If Victor had chosen not to continue working as a bus conductor after the third hold-up, what might have been the immediate consequence for the family?
a. They would have become wealthier.
b. Racquel might have had to drop out of college.
c. The children would have started working.
d. They would have moved to a bigger city.

8. Analyze how Racquel’s education impacted the family’s future.
a. It created more financial strain on the family.
b. It allowed the family to overcome poverty and secure better opportunities.
c. It caused Victor to work harder without seeing any benefits.
d. It had no significant impact on the family’s future.

9. What lesson can be learned from Victor and Racquel’s journey?
a. Sacrifices are not worth the risks involved.
b. Working multiple jobs is the only way to success.
c. Perseverance, love, and education can help overcome even the toughest challenges.
d. Education should only be pursued when it is convenient.

10. How might the story have been different if Victor had chosen a different path after the first hold-up?
a. Racquel would never have become a teacher, and the family might have remained in poverty.
b. The family would have become wealthy sooner.
c. Victor would have started a different career that required less effort.
d. The children would have been sent to work instead of attending school.

02/08/2024

“The Yellow Cellophane”
By: Oliver O. Suarez

In Purok Cabugan, Bag-ong Lungsod, Tandag City, a squatter's place in the heart of Tandag, lived a young boy named Oliver. Life was tough for Oliver’s family, and they struggled to make ends meet. Despite their hardships, his parents knew the importance of education. However, they couldn't afford to send him to school in Tandag, so they decided to send him to his grandparents' place in Tigao, Cortes, Surigao del Sur for Kindergarten.

One evening, as Oliver and his parents sat around their modest dinner table, his father spoke with a heavy heart.

"B**g," he began, "we want you to get a good education however, we can't afford to send you to school here, but your grandparents in Tigao can help."

Oliver looked up, determination in his eyes. "I understand, Papa. I promise I'll study hard."

Oliver's grandparents were kind and supportive, but they too had limited resources. On his first day of school, his grandmother told him they can’t afford to buy him a bag. But he found a yellow cellophane hanged in the kitchen which he excitedly showed his grandma to be his bag. His Lola handed him the cellophane bag from Bright Star, a famous department store in Tandag during the '90s.

"Here, Oliver," she said gently, "Are you okay to have this as your school bag."

He took the bag with a smile. "Thank you, Lola. This is perfect."

Each day, he walked to the small village school, determined to learn and make his family proud. The other children were curious about his unusual bag, but Oliver didn't mind. He was happy to be in school.

One day, a classmate approached him. "Oliver, why do you use that bag?"

Oliver grinned. "It's special. It reminds me of my family and why I'm here."

After completing Kindergarten, he returned to Tandag City, where he enrolled at Tandag Central Elementary School. Every day, he walked to school, regardless of the weather. His dedication paid off, and he completed his elementary education, though he only received a graduation ribbon. Oliver's parents were proud of his achievement, even if it was modest.

His mother hugged him tightly. "We're so proud of you, Oliver. You've worked so hard."

He smiled. "Thank you, Mama. I'll keep doing my best."

He then went on to study at Jacinto P. Elpa National High School under the Bridge Program during his first year in high school. But in his second year at Elpa, he was transferred to Section A, the top section, and quickly made many friends. Despite his family's financial struggles, he remained optimistic and focused on his studies.

One day, his friend Lyndon asked, "How do you stay so positive,?"

Oliver replied, "I remember why I'm here and who I'm doing this for. My family believes in me, and I can't let them down."

He graduated with his batch in 2001, ready to take on the next challenge.

College was a whole new level of difficulty for him. He enrolled in Surigao del Sur Polytechnic State College, now NEMSU, taking Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education. The financial burden was heavy, and he often found himself at the dean's office, making promissory notes to be allowed to take his exams.

One day, as he handed another note to the Executive Dean Dr. Baceledes Estal, the dean looked at him sympathetically. "D**g, you're one of the most dedicated students I know. Keep going, and you'll make it."

To support his education, he worked as a laborer in the public market and sold various foods. His days were long and tiring, but he never gave up.

Despite the hardships, Oliver graduated from college. He passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers and achieved his dream of becoming a teacher. Today, he teaches at Mabuhay Integrated School, where his students lovingly call him Tatay B**g.

In class one day, a student asked him, "Tatay B**g, why did you become a teacher?"

He smiled warmly. "I became a teacher because I wanted to help others the way my family and teachers helped me. Remember, no matter how hard life gets, never give up on your dreams."

His journey from a poor boy with a cellophane bag to a respected teacher is an inspiration to all who know him.

08/07/2024

😍😍😍

07/07/2024