Character begins at home and echoes to the community.

This is how grade 8 student Shame Adanza Lagos brought pride to her family for being an exemplary child provincial winner from Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental. And, one of the four regional exemplary children in Central Visayas for the year 2019.

Contrary to how she was named, 13-year-old Shame has a steadfast commitment of being a good daughter to her parents by bringing honor to her family and community.

She believes that the high road to success is not a one-stop shop but a combination of education, hard work, dedication and patience that would allow her to reach the higher pedestal.

Raised by a poor family, Shame tackled her rigors and struggles in life as a child.

Rofer, her father, works as an on call carpenter and construction worker for their daily needs while her mother, Luz, is a housewife who takes care of the property owned by a relative and at the same time a catechist. Luz works as a service crew when she gets a call from a catering service.

Shame has two other siblings namely: Caster Nash, her elder brother, and Sharmelene, her younger sister.

Growing Responsibly

All family members work hand in hand as no one is exempted to do house chores.

As for Shame, before she heads to school, she would first pasture their three goats every morning and after school in the afternoon she would lead them back in their pen.

While on weekends, she is seen fully assisting her mother in the household chores and assumed these tasks as part of her daily routine.

“Ang tabang namo sa among ginikanan sa mga buluhaton sa panimalay nakatabang sa amo na mahimong responsibilidad ug nagpalig-on pud kini sa akong relasyon sa akong mga igsoon kay sa tanan namo buluhaton aduna man gyud pagsinabtanay (The assistance we give to our parents made us to become responsible and also strengthens my relationship with my siblings since we cooperate with one another),” Shame explained.

Despite her daily pressures, Shame still finds time to spend on her hobbies such sporting badminton, playing ukulele and dancing. As a member of a dance group, she got into dance competitions in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities in school.

Shame is a talented dancer where she uses this talent to connect and interact with other people.

“Pinaagi sa akong pag sayaw ako kini gamiton para kami magkahiusa ug makita nila nga kami nagkahi-usa para sa usa ka tumong g tuyo (Through my dancing, I want to use this for us to unite and to show everyone that we are in one mission and aspiration),” Shame said.

Attaining ambition through education

Notably top of her class, Shame is a consistent first honor from grade one to six and represents her school in the district level competitions.

She is a bookworm who is focused on her studies and determined to thrive for academic excellence.

“To be an honor student is not easy but I need to study hard because it is the only way I can return back all the sacrifices of my parents and also to the government who is supporting us,” Shame said as she keeps herself to be in school always so she won’t miss out on any lessons.

Shame’s parents believe that the achievement of their children, especially of Shame’s is another way of giving back to the government.

“Wala mi makatapos sa among pag eskwela apan ang among mga anak nga nagpakita og kamaayo sa klase gahatag kanamo og kadasig sa pagpanginabuhi sa pang adlaw-adlaw (We did not finish our studies but that fact that our children are doing well in school makes us inspired everyday),” Rofer said while assuring support to Shame in achieving her dreams.

Shame aims to become a nurse someday.

She wanted to save lives, give comfort to those who are in need and bring happiness to individuals and families.

“I want to be a nurse someday para makatabang ko sa mga nagkinahanglan (to help people in need) and also to serve my country,” explained Shame.

Leadership in action and faith

God-fearing, youth with a mission and a good role model are what Shame was often described by people in her community

She transformed herself to become an explorative gal who could stand whatever challenges she faced.

Shame became president the supreme pupil government (SPG) in her school when she was in grade 6 and at the same time Junior Legion of Mary – Vice President since 2016 up to now.

In her top agenda as SPG president during grade 6, she advocated for proper waste management in school where she and her constituents were able to collect recyclable materials and educate their fellows on responsible waste disposal.

With this eventually, they were able to raise funds for the provision of school supplies which benefited students with papers, notebooks, pens and booklets.

Currently, Shame is actively involved in their academy’s Pathfinder Club which focuses on the cultural, social and religious education of children and teens.

“Being a member of Pathfinder club (Seventh Day Adventist) and Junior Legion of Mary (Roman Catholic) I am not distracted at all, we might have different doctrines but I believe that we are worshipping same and one God,” Shame propounded.

Shame is also active in participating in children’s catechism during summer where she imparts her knowledge to children for them to be guided with God’s word.

She said that she was inspired by her mother who is a catechist and wanted to follow her footsteps in spreading the message of hope and love to everyone.

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program has a big impact on the lives of Shame’s family especially in the Family Development Session (FDS) and cash grants they received from the program.

“Pag abot sa 4Ps daghan kaayo mi nakat-onan. Kung member ka sa 4Ps dili nagpasabot nga dili ka maningkamot ug dili dapat saligan kay kini ayuda gikan sa national government (We learned a lot when 4Ps came in. If you are a member of 4Ps that does not mean you do not have to toil and simply rely on the government),” Luz said while encouraging other beneficiaries to use cash grants wisely.

As a 4Ps beneficiary, Shame wants to be a role model and inspires everyone on what to do to alleviate their lives through discipline and finish their studies. ###

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