This is definitely a huge victory for Michael Prince del Rosario, a former high school dropout, who recently passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) for secondary level. In fact, he topped the said exam, having garnered a score of 92%.
Speaking in an interview with AM radio station DZMM, Michael recalled that his addiction with online games led to him not being able to graduate from high school.
“Hindi po ako grumaduate ng valedictorian, hindi nga po ako grumaduate ng high school,” the topnotcher confessed.
(“I didn’t graduate valedictorian, I didn’t even graduate from high school.)
His obsession with online gaming started when he was yet a first year student. Things eventually got worse when he failed attending his classes.
“Hindi na po talaga ako pumapasok, sobrang lala po ng ka-addict-an to the point na wala na po. Nag-drop-out ako tapos ang masama pa niyan hindi ko kayang sabihin kina Mama, tinago ko po muna,” said Michael.
(“I didn’t attend my classes because of my addiction [to online games]. I dropped out and didn’t even tell my Mama.”)
Michael’s parents always thought he was going to school but instead, he spent his money on computer games.
The turning point in his life, Michael claims, is when his batchmates were starting to look forward to going to college.
“Unti-unti ko na pong nakikita na pa-graduate na po ‘yung mga ka-batch ko, na ang ganda-ganda na ng plano nilang mag-college, na ang sarap ng mga dreams nila for their family. Sa isip ko, pa’no ako? Pa’no ko ibibigay ‘yun sa family ko?” Michael remarked.
(“I began to realize that my graduating batchmates have wonderful plans for college, big dreams for their families. So I thought, how about me? How will I give that to my family?)
Thankfully, he was able to get a high school diploma through the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Alternative Learning System (ALS) program. After reviewing a module, he passed the required exam and was able to secure a diploma and enroll to college.
Michael admits that he really had a goal to be the top notcher for the LET – because he wanted to make his mother happy.
“Pangarap ko po talagang ma-interview po ‘yung nanay ko sa TV. Sabi ko para mangyari ‘yun kailangan number one ako, so ayun po natupad na po ‘yung pangarap niya kanina. Tuwang-tuwa siya,” he said.
(“One of my dreams is for my mom to get interviewed on TV. I said I need to be number one to make that happen. Fortunately, that dream got fulfilled a while back. She’s really happy.”)
Michael is now setting his sights on teaching science in a public provincial secondary school. He hopes that his story and experience will likewise inspire young students.
watch the video of Michael Prince del Rosario posted on Carl E Balita facebook
photo by summitexpress