21/11/2024
๐ ๐ฃ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐๐ฒ ๐ญ๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ญ๐๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฌ; ๐
๐ซ๐๐ง๐ณ๐๐ซ'๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐ ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ ๐จ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ง๐๐
๐๐ถ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ณ: ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ฎ ๐. ๐๐ช๐ฃ๐ข๐ฅ
โ๐ ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ด๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ญ๐ฅ ๐ญ๐ฆ๐ข๐ณ๐ฏ ๐ง๐ณ๐ฐ๐ฎ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ ๐ฎ๐ช๐ด๐ต๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ๐ด, ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ช๐ด ๐ฏ๐ฐ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ด๐บ ๐ญ๐ช๐ง๐ฆ,โ this is a remarkable statement from a young man whose story is narrated below. His statement reminds us that we are not perfect, but does not mean we are to dwell in our shortcomings. That there would always be problems and the search for fulfillment, whatever status we have in life. In this story we are to read, it portrays how lifeโs uncertainties impact someone's point of view on how to live a life. Experience is unique to every individual. And indeed, we can learn a lesson from each other.
๐๐ง ๐๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐
Born on November 2, 1996, at Bayoyo, Bugias. Frenzer A. Guinid was the first born among two daughters. His father is from Ifugao, and his mother is from Atok. Growing up in poverty, his family, like every farmer in the locality, had to take loans from cooperatives to raise a capital for growing vegetable crops. Experiencing heavy losses when storms and oversupply happen.
Frenzer recalls his childhood to be marked with poverty, along with financial problems. His alcoholic father, heavily influenced by his friends, would verbally express his jealousy when his mother strikes conversation with male friends, which he would regret and deny when the effect of the alcohol subsided.
He started his kindergarten at Bayoyo, Lokiagan, Awal primary school. During those times he would always demand his parent's presence, up to the point that they would have to stay within the school premises while the classes went on. He remembers himself to be the shy and quiet kid though friendly in his elementary grade. Renzer attended San Isidro High School at Abatan for secondary education, junior and senior high school. It was at this point of life that he showed interest in musical instruments. He joined the church choir in his teenage years playing the musical instruments during mass. He then graduated batch 2009-2014.
๐๐ข๐๐'๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐ข๐๐ ๐จ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฐ๐ง๐ฌ
After his graduation in high school, he took the entrance exam for the seminary of St. Francis Xavier but failed. He also tried to enroll at Benguet State University but he was told that there were no more slots left. He then proceeded to take short courses like heavy equipment operation and basic computer repair technician.
He moved to La Trinidad to take up Bachelor of TechEd at Benguet Vocational School (BVS) Colleges. There he met new friends and became active in playing musical instruments. This time it was not for religious gathering but for the Battle of the Bands. He told me, it was not long till he and his friends gathered and created a band known as the "๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ต๐ฐ๐จ๐ข๐ฏโ band. Renzer, with his new means of living, learned how to drink and smoke; the parties and the night life were all part of the band's life. With him enjoying the band life, he forgot about his studies and only finished two years of his degree. Later on, their band finally dispersed, some members got married and they had to work overseas to have a more formal way of living.
๐๐ก๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ, ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐ค
He was then invited to play a guitar for the three o'clock mass at a local chapel. Sometime later, he was employed by the chapel to be a caretaker. Since the chapel was vacated due to the reshuffling of priests and none could yet reside, in addition the COVID-19 pandemic was reaching its peak. For four years of his service, he was granted a scholarship by the newly appointed resident priest. He then resides now with his younger sister and some relatives in a boarding house at Km. 4 La Trinidad, Benguet. In the present he continued his studies At Kings College of the Philippines (KCP) La Trinidad, Benguet, taking up Bachelor of Science in Security Management (BSSM) under the College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE).
๐๐ง ๐๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐ก ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
Sitting down together on the chapel bench, the skies had darkened and the afternoon had passed. The chapel corridors are now deemed with only a few lights on. We went on with the conversation and Renzer could remember his experiences โMy father inherited his jealous behavior from his mother,โ he told me. His grandmother herself has the same attitude, he could also remember how possessive she was not wanting her children and grandchildren to leave their hometown. As much as possible, all she wanted was to keep them all within her reach. His life during his childhood and teenage years for him was happy. From being the shy and quiet kid on the corner, and having a bit of a problem with his fatherโs drunkenness. Then discovering his talent in music was all part of growing though it was marked with poverty. Playing music in the band fulfills his passion. When I asked him how he got himself into the band, at that time of his life his answer was; โIt started with simple college events, where they would invite you to be a part of the group, if you're a good drummer." Perhaps it began when he met old friends, then also befriended fellow musicians. When a school event commences the bands begin to come together and you could be recommended by a friend who believes you're capable and talented to be a part of the band.
The opportunity was good for him and his bandmates to which he continues that, โWe participated in contests organized by the municipal government. Performed on weddings, and on events we are invited. And conducting concerts for a causeโ he added. The band life had to do a lot for companionshipโs sake, some members have highly egoistic attitudes wanting that their style and decisions be adopted by the whole band. They gain a good amount of profit with their performances but promoters and event managers take their fair share of the gain. then they divide what is left for themselves. Vices like alcohol and ci******es are common for the members, which he went with for the sake of companionship. Life has to go on with all its ups and downs. Now Renzer has a new band the four degrees. He has devoted some of his time singing for the church choir on weekdays, while training younger musicians to take his place.
I asked him if he considers his life to be successful, to which he answered; โSuccess has not yet come, to succeed is to finish studies and have a job. Now is still temporary and a survival, I am determined to help my family and siblings. There is still some small struggleโ. With his statement I am convinced that he views success as an achievement despite all the hardships in life. When I asked him about his learnings in life he replied โYou should learn from your mistakes, there is no easy life. Be patient in your struggles in life, the fruits will be sweetโ.
๐๐๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ซ
In a study conducted by the National University of Costa Rica (2021) there are five reasons why students drop out of college. These are first of all the Individual; about the personality of the student, and how persistent and motivated they are. Second is the academic standing of students. Third is the economic situation of the student, like the family income. Fourth is the culture of the person, which includes belief values, emotions, and practices. then the institution itself if it does support the learning of students, both human and monetary resources.
On the 2025 budget deliberation of the Senate of the Philippines, for the Commission on Higher Education. Sen. Joel Villaneuva notes the alarming number of college students who left their degree program either temporarily or permanently. There is an estimated 40.6 percent in 2021 going down a little 39. 4 percent in 2022. Cordillera administrative region is among the 17 Regions with the highest attrition rate of 50 percent. Along with western Visayas, National Capital Region and so on, based on CHED recorded data. CHED Chairperson Prospero โPopoyโ De Vera III added that, โcollege students dropped out of school due difficulties in finances, academics, family problems, relocation, medical and mental health concernsโ.
๐๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฉ๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ซ
Every experience is unique, someoneโs story may share the same experience and situations like us. Life is full of uncertainties, it takes our motivation testing how resilient we are. Truly the story of Frenzer lights a candle in the darkness, hard times will always be coming. It will build our character and direct our purpose, if we remain hopeful and let go of what we can not hold on. Like what the old saying says, look at the brightside. Life will move us no matter what shoes we walk on, every experience becomes valuable and beautiful. it is all about how we react. The best lessons are taught to those who are willing to submit themselves to the many trials of a lifetime.
โYou should learn from your mistakes, there is no easy life. Be patient in your struggles in life, the fruits will be sweetโ.
Sources:
Magaly, P. and Josรฉ Andrey, A. (2021, January- June) Early Dropout in College Students: A Cohort Study on Its Possible Causes. National University of Costa Rica. College student dropout: cohort study about possible causes
Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau. (2024, October 1) Alarming number of college dropouts. Senate of the Philippines. Alarming number of college dropout
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