Anthony Sarches, 32, of Sambag village, Jaro, Iloilo was hailed as this year’s “Huwaran nga Anak” (exemplary child) awardee. (PNA photo)
A high school student working part-time as a family driver bagged a prestigious city award.
Anthony Sarchs, 32, of Sambag village, Jaro district was hailed as this year’s “Huwaran nga Anak” (exemplary child) awardee.
The “Huwaran nga Anak” citation is an effort of the Iloilo City Task Force on Street Children and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) to recognize children who give help the community by providing hope and opportunity for the youth.
Anthony’s determination and perseverance to reach his dream has earned him the much-coveted recognition as grand prize winner of the “Huwaran nga Anak” award on Saturday, with a P10,000 cash prize.
All other 13 nominees to the award received college scholarships from the city government.
Sarches is one of seven children who were raised alone by their widowed mother. He also worked as an all-around houseboy to provide for the financial needs of his siblings.
“I stopped my studies for 14 years because I chose to help my parent. My younger siblings attended school, so I took the responsibility,” he shared.
After his three younger siblings have finished college, he started to pursue his own dream of becoming a teacher.
He studies as a Grade 11 Humanities and Social Sciences Strand (HUMSS) student at Mandurriao National High School while working as a family driver.
Anthony is grateful for the understanding of his employer and teachers as they support him on his road to becoming a teacher.
“My employers know that I want to attend school and they ask my service only when I do not have class or during [the] weekends. On the other hand, when they request me for important long-distance drives, I ask my teachers to miss my classes and I am thankful that they also understand,” he added.
Sarches said that love can endure sacrifices, which make a son or a daughter who is willing to go through them an ideal one for their parents and a role model for others. He also shared that selfless love is what makes sacrifices sweeter. (RJ Espartinez)