Learning and leading for the future: An Exemplary Child’s Story
“To become a great leader, you need to be a good follower.”
Ehrald Jake V. Hosana, 2024 Cordillera Regional Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Exemplary Child said this as he recounted his journey from humble beginnings to now being a model to his fellow youth in the region.
With their family having been under the 4Ps for over seven years already, he attests that a lot has changed in their family life and how he personally values success. “Our needs were met through the 4Ps. As an Exemplary Child, I see respect and love for others in the community as the foundation to have unity and collaboration for a peaceful and progressive society.”
(“Natustusan ng 4Ps ang pangangailangan ng aming pamilya. Bilang isang Exemplary Child, pinapahalagaan ko ang pagkakaroon ng respeto at pagmamahal sa kapwa at komunidad sapagkat ang mga ito ang pundasyon upang magkaroon ng Pagkakaisa at Pagtutulungan tungo sa isang payapa at maunlad na lipunan.”)
Meanwhile, he emphasized his gratefulness to his parents, Gerald and Jeanette (who works as meat butcher and online seller, respectively), for their tireless efforts and sacrifices to provide the needs of the family. He added that love and commitment are the foundation of their family and he leverages this as an inspiration to become a civil engineer in the future to also help provide for their family as well as attend to the forthcoming schooling needs of his younger brother Liam Jerald, 3.
Young as he is, Ehrald, 14, is active in joining Youth Development Sessions of the 4Ps in their hometown in Barangay Tumog in Luna, Apayao. According to him, he has gained new friends from other families also under the 4Ps and he takes the time to lead other youth in facilitating talks such as on the rights of children, which also helped open his eyes to the welfare of children in society. With this, he further realized not to take for granted the benefits of being a 4Ps member, with their various needs—from health to financial to educational—being provided for on a regular basis. He hopes to inspire and empower others by sharing his experiences and encourage others to take part in community development activities.
Currently a Grade 9 student at the Tumog National Agricultrual Trade High School in Luna, Apayao, Ehrald says he strives to be a good example for other students, actively serving in cause-oriented organizations in their school. While a consistent awardee in different school acitivities and citations for his character, he also excels in journalism, especially radio broadcasting, having participated in district and regional press conferences. Likewise, he is a staunch advocate and volunteer in clean-up drives, tree planting, waste recycling and other environmental causes.
On November 18 to 22, 2024, he acted as big brother to the delegation of Exemplary Child finalists from the region for the 4Ps National Children’s Congress in Mandaue City, Cebu representing the culture and values of the Cordilleras.
“Study hard (Mag-aral ng mabuti),” Ehrald advised his fellow students, “because it is the key to achieving success.” Further, he thanked DSWD FO CAR, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office of Luna, Apayao, and other partners for the continual support in his continuing experience as this year’s 4Ps Exemplary Child for CAR. ### DSWD-CAR Social Marketing Unit –Christian Robert M. Sandoval, Information Officer II |
