“Lugaw… is considered an essential good,” – this was a statement the Malacañang released when an incident in Bulacan blew up on social media. Apparently, a GrabFood rider was apprehended at a checkpoint in an attempt to deliver lugaw (rice porridge) to a customer living in an area under granular lockdown.

Long before the lugaw story in Bulacan went viral, the rice porridge has been a staple food for Filipinos since 1963, this according to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) – But for Andy Macasaet of Basilisa, Dinagat Islands, lugaw was a bit special.

 

Lugaw lang Malakas

“Kaniadto, mamahaw mi og balanghoy, maniudto og saging, manihapon og bugas. Ang lugaw uamong gisiguro nga makakaon among pinakamanghran kay dos anyos pa siya adto nga panahon (Back then, we always have root crops for breakfast and lunch, and rice was just for dinner. We see to it that the porridge was given to our youngest sibling because he was just 2 years old that time),” Andy shared of his unforgettable experience growing up in a poor household.

Being the fifth among the eight children of Jesusita and Edito, Andy witnessed all these hardships at a young age, especially when the family’s primary source of income (small-scale chromite mining) suddenly stopped. It was this time that even a simple lugaw meal was a special meal for the family.

His mother opted to plant vegetables to augment their needs, and Andy would sell string beans, cucumber, okra, and bell peppers in the neighborhood. His father was also elected as a Barangay Captain but the honorarium was not enough to support a 10-member household, so he engaged into micro-lending financing to address their needs.

Their living condition was what encouraged Andy to pursue higher dreams – dreams of being on top and pulling his family to better lives. Maybe with success, he and his family would have a better house, better education for his siblings, and better food on the table – a finer porridge, perhaps.

Then came the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), where the Macasaet family became one of its recipient households. The cash grants were utilized wisely to support the education needs of Andy’s siblings. His younger siblings Richard, Angelica, and Michael are the three monitored children in the Program. Among the siblings, Andy performed best in their studies.

Andy was a consistent valedictorian from elementary and high school at the Dela Concepcion Elementary School, and New Nazareth National High School, respectively. He was also a constant participant during inter-school competitions. After graduating from high school, Andy applied for a scholarship under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and among the many aspirants, he was one of the few who passed, and was granted with the scholarship.

 

Persistence and Determination

Andy enrolled in Caraga State University and took up Mining Engineering. He finished his tertiary education with Latin honors – Cum Laude, as he was consistent in having high grades. After graduating, Andy took the Mining Engineering Licensure Examinations 2021 where he ranked as Top 1.

“Grabe jud nga kalipay, ug gaan kaayo sa paminaw (It is overwhelming, and I felt overjoyed). Every time I see the list of the Top 10, mura jud ko ug maglutaw sa hangin nga lami kaayo akong pahiyom (I feel like I am floating in the air, and I am all smiles). Grabi kaayo nako ka-thankful nga ang mga kahago (I am very thankful that all my hard work), prayers, sacrifices have paid-off. It is just overwhelming,” Andy exclaimed.

When asked of a point in his life where he was close to giving up, Andy said “wala (no)” because he knew that it would only hinder him in pursuing his dreams. However, he shared that during his sophomore year in college, his academic performance dropped because of being hooked to computer games. He was not proud of those moments, and is thankful that a certain ministry in Butuan City helped him bounce back on his feet, and continue pursuing his dreams.

His tips to all aspiring youth of today is to do well in school, to never let poverty stop them but learn from the hard experiences and use it as a weapon to go on, and to always listen to the advice of their parents and life mentors.

“Most of all, draw near to God,” Andy said.

Meanwhile, his siblings Junalyn has now a degree in Bachelor of Arts in English Language, and Arnel, a degree in Bachelor of Science in Education and is already a Licensed Teacher. The siblings shared that their parents made the big difference in their success, especially in their studies. Andy said that it was life’s hardships that challenged his to be at his best.

Perhaps, lugaw, which is an essential food for the regular Filipino, is special to those who struggle in life. And for these families, dreams of improving their condition is the prime goal – the dream that drives them to work hard. Andy and his family seldom enjoyed the simple lugaw. Poverty denied them of the simple things in life. But it is also poverty that led to their success. Now, they are able to enjoy life’s essentials.  ###(Social Marketing Section/DSWD Field Office Caraga)