By Louella Unilongo
From navigating the treacherous mountain trail to trekking and conquering life’s hardships, Alisa shared what it’s like to live far from the community while pursuing her particular dream in the bigger society.
Alisa Grace Basilio, 23, has been positive and goal-driven despite the struggles she experienced throughout her journey toward her and her family’s dream– finishing her studies.
The seed for her hope for a better life was planted in a remote area, or ‘barrio’ as the locals call in Barbaza, a town in the province of Antique.
As the sole child of her adopted parents, she has every intention of living the future they dreamed for her. Additionally, she emphasized how her nanay and tatay never made her feel that she was different– adopted.
“Hindi ko din naman sinisi ang totoong mga magulang ko dahil higit na pagmamahal ang ipinaramdan sa akin ng mga magulang ko na kumuha sa akin,” she said.
For Alisa, being adopted into a warm household is something that she can be proud of.
Journey stop #1: High School
‘Wake up. Shower. Eat.’
This may be the typical school morning routine for many, however, growing up, Alisa had a distinct route, quite uncommon with the rest as she took a two-hour walk trip from her barrio home to school.
“Dati noong high school ako, naglalakad lang kami sa bukid at may ilog din, halos dalawang oras yung nilalakad,” she said.
She recalled how they often traveled with their bags and meals while either burning under the scorching heat or getting drenched in the rain.
For six years, this has been her established routine, which paid off as she finished high school with honors.
Journey stop #2: Away from home
As she started her university life and took up a Bachelor of Science in Cooperatives Management at the University of Antique, she had to leave her home and elder parents behind, who were 74 and 80 years old.
“Habang nasa kolehiyo po ako, minsan lang po ako umuuwi. Pinapadalhan lng po ako ng nanay at tatay ko sa Palawan,” she said.
Emotionally and financially, she had a tough time as her parents were barely getting by, depending on their land lease for her to survive in university.
Her settling in a new environment, and being far away from home were cut short when the global COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020.
Journey stop #3: Losing someone
It seemed as though time froze for who knows how long when the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, and for Alisa, as a tatay’s girl, her world stopped too when she lost him in 2021.
“Yung kinakatakutan ko na mangyari na mawala sila (her nanay and tatay), nangyari na … nawalan na ako ng tatay,” she said.
Alisa’s parents were the rock upon which she could depend and find support in this harsh world, but fate has its cruel ways– it stole one of them away, leaving her devastated and determined to work harder.
She is living out her tatay’s hopes and dreams by following the path he envisioned for her.
“Kinuha ko po ‘yun (her degree program) dahil gusto po ng tatay ko na yun yong pasukan ko,” she said.
Alisa is indeed her tatay’s girl.
Last stop: Making it all happen
Alisa’s nanay looked at her with loving and adoring eyes as tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks during her graduation ceremony on July 6, 2023.
“Hindi ko ma-describe yung kasiyahan na nararamdaman ko ngayong nakapagtapos na ako at nakita ko kung gaano ka proud yung nanay ko saakin na kahit ganitong bagay lang na gusto nila, natupad ko,” Alisa said.
She dedicated her degree and success to her loved ones.
“Sila (her family) rin yung nagbigay ng lakas sa akin, sila naging inspirasyon ko at nakita ko sa kanila na kailangan ‘kong makapagtapos sa aking pag-aaral,” she said.
Her family has been her inspiration and source of strength; their dedication and encouragement are woven throughout her story.
This achievement was everything to her.
Now that Alisa scratched one dream off the list, it is time for her to work on the next one.