Marvin S. Ranes, 17 years old, is the youngest among three offsprings of Mr. Ruben and Mrs. Maria Fe Ranes.

The family resides at Sitio Hagnaya, Brgy. Mambalili, Bunawan, Agusan del Sur. Marvin has been recorded as one of the children who are “Not Attending School” (NAS), for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

He stopped studying in 2015 at 11 years old when he was in Grade 5 at San Andres Elementary School due to a blood illness. His parents decided to just let him stop from school since he cannot catch up with the class schedule. His doctor prescribed him medication until his illness was treated when he was already 15 years old.

Marvin’s siblings, Rhea and Michelle, are both degree holders already and they have been so concerned on their brother’s education, that they made ways and encouraged him to get back to school.

Through constant encouragement of his family and with the additional guidance of the Pantawid Pamilya Program, Marvin has finally decided to return to school and enroll at ALS-Primary – even if he is already 15 years old. He really wanted to catch up with his batch mates, so he decided to enroll. Unfortunately, he failed his ALS examination – reason why he had to go through the regular classes scheme.

According to his teacher, Marvin is actually a good and bright student but is easily influenced and distracted by his friends. In fact, Marvin is one of the representatives at the Provincial Level-activities for their ALS classes where he earned an award.

Despite of his examination result, Marvin still pursued his study with the support of his siblings and parents.

In school year 2020-2021, when he was 16-years-old, he enrolled as Grade 5 student at the Hagnaya Elementary School. At first, he was embarrassed by his age since his classmates are aged between 10 to 11. However, he overcame these challenges – until pandemic came and everyone had to shift to the offline modular classes arrangement.

Marvin said it is a good privilege because it protects him from bullies and discriminations. Pandemic did not hinder him, rather, it became a good opportunity for him to perform well on his modules and learn comfortably from their home.

According to her mother, his son has a good personality, kind-hearted and responsible. During this time of new normal, he helped in taking care of their rice farm during his free time. He has good relationship with his family, neighbors and friends who are mostly related to them.

Marvin is such an inspiration to all hopeless students especially those who are also experiencing medical illnesses. Marvin proves that regardless of age, children and even adults, must continue their studies if they wanted to achieve their desired degree and be able to get their dream career in the future.

For school-year 2021-2022, Marvin will be attending school as a 17-year old grade 6 student.

“Maniguro nagyud kog skwela kay akong mga klasmets dagko nag grado, gusto pud ko makahuman (I will make sure to go to school because my batch mates are already very ahead of me – I too dream of finishing my studies),” Marvin said.

Indeed, he is now motivated enough to purse his studies. Marvin was once a hopeless child who now as an inspiration for other None Attending School (NAS) children of the 4Ps.