By Rea Cu / Special to the BusinessMirror
FRANCIS Nicole G. Maga, at 16, is a Behavioral Science student at the University of the Philippines (UP) in Manila.She is there by sheer force of will, perseverance and persistence, backed by a silent, but determined community of supporters who have vowed, individually and collectively, that deserving students will never again be denied education at UP because of poverty.
She answers to “Nic,” “Niknik” or “Mags.” She is the oldest of five children; she has two sisters and two brothers. Her father Francisco Maga used to be a construction worker but had to stop working due to health-related reasons. Her mother Marilyn is a housewife who sometimes does other people’s laundry to help make ends meet for the family. When they have a bit of extra money, they would allot it for peanut butter or native delicacies to sell for added income.
Nicole sells to friends and schoolmates. Living in the slums of Malabon opened Nicole’s eyes to the harsh realities of life at an early age. When she was little, she used to look for scraps and metallic objects to sell to junk shops. She experienced the ups and downs of life, but that did not stop her from dreaming big. It just fuelled her determination to get herself and her family a better future, a life out of the slums.
Her studies have always been her priority. In elementary and high school, she was consistently an honor student. She graduated as first honor from Upper Bicutan National High School in March. Even if she met floods, raging winds or the scorching heat of the sun, it didn’t stop her from going to school. Even if she had no money for food or baon some days, she still attended her classes.
She used her wits, faith and love for writing to help out her family financially. Before attending UP Manila, she took on a summer job at the Center for Community Transformation, a group of ministries aimed at helping the less fortunate. The organization paid her P100 per article. “It was a really big help to be in a place where people were not just employees, but also family,” she said.
When asked what has given her the strength to pursue her dream of pursuing and eventually graduating college, she said, “I have always believed. I bring my faith in everything I do. It has always been my armor and my shield, my strength and my hope.”
Before she entered UP Manila, she made an appeal to the university’s socialized tuition system to cover part of her tuition. Instead, she was approved for the whole school year so she doesn’t have to worry about her tuition this year. Her course covers psychology, anthropology and sociology, she said, because she wants to fully understand every aspect of human behavior.
Her main goal now, besides pushing through with her studies, is to empower others, most especially young people similarly situated. She wants this message to reach other young people who grew up poor like her: “When you dream, dream big! Never limit your eyes with what’s just seen. Nothing is impossible to those who believe in God’s power. Yes, life may give you a lot of discouragements, disappointments, pain and fear. But that’s what life is all about; besides, you can never find the real you if you quit.
Don’t be afraid. Take risks. Be responsible. Conquer your doubts. Do your best. Keep moving. Always make the most of who you are but never forget to keep your feet on the ground. Learn to enjoy and laugh. Be positive and always have hope. Don’t let those hindrances make you shrink but let them make you big. So, if you really want to make a difference in your life someday, do it now.”
Many people are batting for Nicole to succeed. “The tragedy that was Kristel Tejada should have never happened. Never again.”