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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Isabelle Miranda, one of the Batang Matibay Bear Brand awardees, perfectly displays what it means to persevere despite hardships in life.
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In a CNN Philippines segment, Isabelle shared how she endures epilepsy and turns her difficulties into motivations to study more and inspire other children.
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A student from San Pedro Central Elementary School in Calabarzon, Isabelle explained that she commonly has seizures and would space out between conversations, which would lead to some people misunderstanding her.
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“Some people say that I don’t understand what we’re talking about or it’s just that I’m not listening to what they’re talking about,” she shared.
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“What usually happens is I get hit by words like I don’t know anything or like I’m not listening to our conversation,” she added.
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When Isabelle started schooling, she had difficulty writing as a side effect of one of her medications. To compensate for her slow writing, she would usually skip lunch only to end up still being the last to finish.
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She was also bullied for her shortcomings, but that didn’t stop her from taking each challenge with grit and determination.
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“What I usually do is I take it as a motivation para mas mapagpursigi ko ang aking pagaaral (to push harder in my studies),” she said.
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Resilience
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Aside from Isabelle, other awardees for Batang Matibay Bear Brand 2022 are Sean Geralyn Mara, Mark John Alayon, Xoann Kyle Ocampo, Cryzon Jay Ambinang, Jerald Pelonita, and Matt Jayrus Evangelista.
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Just like Isabelle, these kids reflect resilience and perseverance as they endured challenges and found their own ways of adapting.
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Jerald from Guihulngan, Negros Oriental was born without arms but was hailed as Champion for the Division level National Art Contest after rising above his peers and choosing to practice art using his feet.
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Cryzon Jay, meanwhile, walks more than 2 hours to get to one of DepEd’s last mile schools. Being part of a Manobo tribe who lives in a secluded area in a mountainside in North Cotabato meant a few extra challenges as a student.
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Despite his own personal struggles, he excelled in school and extracurricular activities, which includes leading several student organization projects in their school. One project was distributing modules in his community and organizing a feeding program for the tribe.
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Mark John from Roxas, Capiz, on another hand, faced challenges within his family as his mother battled cancer while his father maintained expenses from a job as a construction worker.
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The awardee persevered despite the heaviness of his situation and joined programs sponsored by his school or barangay. Mark John excels in school while also helping his father raise livestock, plant vegetables, do household chores, taking care of his mother, and studying.
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Nestle Philippines BEO Russel Lipchin said the Batang Matibay Bear Brand awards are done in partnership with the Department of Education to recognize and celebrate the determination and grit of public school children.
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“Nutrition and learning go hand-in-hand,” Lipchin explained. “Nutrition is a foundation of a strong body to match the strength of will. That enables you to learn – not only learning in school but also learning in life.”
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According to nutritionist Babylyn Cayabyab, nutrition is very important for kids to have the proper growth and development needed for skills in school.
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These essential nutrients, which include Iron, Zinc, Vitamin C, Protein, Calcium and Vitamin D, are found in complete meals everyday including milk.
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As a message to other children, Isabelle urged them to push through the challenges and keep on pursuing their studies.
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“Always remember to never give up and take any challenges in life that you encounter as a motivation so mas mapagpupursigi niyo pa ang inyong pag-aaral (so you can push harded in your studies),” Isabelle said.
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Listen to Isabelle’s full story here.
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