“When I entered high school, I had low self-esteem but as years went by, I earned my confidence and learned to defend myself,” shared Christopher Ragunton, a Grade 12 student as he recalled how he started his secondary days at the Nagbukel National High School, Nagbukel, Ilocos Sur.

Many times, Christopher and his co-beneficiaries were teased by other students because of being poor. According to him, “Ipinakita ko sa kanila na mas magaling ako sa kanila sa pagpapakita ng aking angking-talino sa aming mga aralin (I showed them that I am better than them when it comes to academics).”

Christopher also stated that “Sa likod ng mga panlalait, ipinapakita ko sa lahat na kayang-kaya kong iangat ang aking sarili (Despite the mockery, I show everyone that I can bring myself to the top). He never ceased to prove that Pantawid Pamilya students are excellent and because of that, he was a consistent honor student since Grade 7. “Wala sa plano ko na makamit ang Rank 1 dahil wala akong intensyon na makipagkompetensya sa aking mga kaklase pero ginagawa ko ito para sa kinabukasan  (I never planned to become Rank 1 because I do not want to compete with my classmates but I am doing this for the future),” he emotionally expressed. 

“Nagsilbing armas ko ang Pantawid Pamilya para maging matibay sa pagkamit sa minimithi kong pangarap kapag ako ay nakapagtapos na ng pag-aaral (Pantawid Pamilya served as my weapon to be strong in achieving my dream after finishing my studies),” Christopher testified.

He plans to take up Bachelor of Science in Accountancy at the University of Northern Phlippines in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur. According to him, he will exert all efforts to look for scholarship grants for him to successfully pursue his college education.

He confidently said, “Sampung taon mula ngayon, isa na akong matagumpay na indibidwal at tatatak pa rin sa puso at isipan ko ang Pantawid Pamilya (10 years from now, I will be a successful person and Pantawid Pamilya will still be engraved in my heart and mind).” (by: Jaesem Ryan A. Gaces, Pantawid Pamilya Information Officer)