How far can you go for education? How far can you go for your future?
Mountains and rivers to cross each day to be present in school is not an issue for RJ, Rhiyanzei and Adrean Buentipo from Abra, Philippines. Riding in their horses, the approximately ten kilometers (back and forth) quirky roads from their home going to school gets easier and faster.
Some months ago before we produced a short documentary, “Patungong Eskwela” (On The Way To School) in 2019 about these students, we learned that they had already been praised in practicing the traditional way of commuting. Though Abra as part of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) is mountainous in nature, people nowadays highly appreciate and prefer rides with wheels. Even in the provinces like Abra, the chances of using horses has been limited to leisure and farm works.
Thus, what we witnessed was purely fascinating. Neither because of their skills in horseback riding, nor it was seen in action and fantasy movies, but their willingness to religiously attend their classes despite the many hindrances. The three boys told us the story behind their stories.
The Three Horse Riders
Rhiyanzei and Adrean were brothers, and RJ is their cousin. They grew up and live in the town of Dolores, where almost everyone, including their families are farmers. Because they depend on rice land, they chose to stay there even if it’s far from school.
Trina Buentipo, Rhiyanzei and Adrean’s mother just gave birth to their sixth and youngest sibling about less than a week when we visited them. Their huge family has sheltered in a small typical nipa house since they were young. We honestly could not imagine how they find comfort sleeping there at night.
At this point, we visibly understood why these brothers are never holding back. Adrean is very vocal about his goal to become a policeman and build a house for their mother.
“Gusto kong makapagtapos sa pag-aaral at maging isang pulis, gusto ko rin ng bahay para may matirahan sila.” (“I want to finish my studies to be a Policeman. I also want to have a house for my family to stay.”)
While Rhiyanzei dreams to be a soldier. He is meek but his heart as the eldest reflects on his deeds. At seven, he learned to ride in a horse through the help of his father. Since then, he applied this skill in the farmland and eventually realized that he can also utilized the horse in going to school. Until his brother and cousin imitated him.
Their unusual journey sometimes turned dangerous when the bad weather strikes. The ground gets muddy and the rivers gets higher. Adrean told that he was once almost fell in the river.
“Muntik akong mahulog noong papunta kami sa eskwela, nung tatawid na sa ilog pero kumapit ako sa kuya ko.” (“We were crossing the river on our way to school then I almost fell, but I could hold to my brother.”)
RJ has almost the same inspiration with his two cousins. To help his parents as soon as he earned a College Degree. Yet, Juvelyn, his mother pursues his child for his own good. She has no other option but to wish for RJ’s safety while riding in a horse.
Challenges is never a sort of secret for the three, they knew how difficult life is, why important to withdraw themselves and families in it and how to make it possible. They have an utmost belief in education. It never came to a point when they feel half-hearted and discourage in pursuing their studies. They are dreamers inspired by their own struggles.
Life is really what and how we make it. When we choose to believe and act, we are choosing to be better. Surely, long and bumpy rides are still on these children’s journey. The good thing is that they are not stopping. Instead, they keep on moving forward.
Written by Ricca Joice Adrada
