Westonvill Academy: School of Elites

Isang folder ang iniabot sa akin ni Miss Lopez. Papauwi na ako matapos asikasuhin ang aking school clearance at ibang dokumento upang makapaghanda sa susunod na academic year. I was in the middle of deciding where to enroll for my senior years in high school nang isang tila hindi kapani-paniwalang oportunidad ang nagbukas para sa akin. “Viv, you are still undecided about your next step, aren't you?” panimula ni Miss Lopez. “Ever heard of Westonvill Academy? Bukas sila ngayon para sa mga top students na kagaya mo. Full-time scholarship, free accommodation, and monthly allowance.” Napabuntong-hininga ako. “Scholarship?” hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko sa kaniya. “Plus free accommodation and monthly allowance? Sigurado po kayo, Miss?” “Oo. I can understand your disbelief. Masyadong maganda ang opportunity na 'to, not to mention that Westonvill Academy is one of the top-tier universities in the region. But there is a but. Only those who will be included in the top fifty of the entrance exam will qualify for the said scholarship.” Westonvill Academy. It's a couple of miles from here but I wouldn't have to worry about the expenses. Given that I will be one of the top fifty, sabi ko sa sarili ko. Kahit papaano ay kilala ko ang Westonvill Academy kaya alam kong ang mga estudyante rito ay ang matatawag mong “chosen ones.” Maliban sa pagiging matalino, balita ko ay puro mayayaman ang nag-aaral dito. Kung gano'n, bakit sila nagbubukas para sa mga kagaya kong payak lang ang pamumuhay? As if hearing my questions, Miss Lopez further explained. “Medyo tagilid kasi ang Westonvill sa university ranking this year. From being the top one, they dropped to the third place. May mga haka-haka na dahil ito sa isyu na kinasasangkutan ng isa nilang estudyante. To subdue the crisis they are experiencing, they have to rise above it. Intellectual students will become the school's wings in soaring back to the top.” So technically, kaya lang nagbukas ang Westonvill Academy sa mga non-elites ay dahil desperado itong makakuha ng mga matatalinong estudyante. They did not mind about the social status as long as that student can lift the school's name. Naiisip ko pa lamang ito ay parang nakikita ko na ang diskriminasyon na mangyayari kapag ang mga kagaya ko ay papasok sa academy. It would not just be about the clash of brains but of social ranking as well. Kung utak lang naman ang pag-uusapan, kampante naman akong makakalaban ako ngunit ang social status? It's a different story. “Inside that folder are the papers that you have to fill out and other requirements. Vivienne, I gave you that because I am confident that you can make it to the top fifty. You are the valedictorian and you have always been the top student. Westonvill Academy is where students like you belong.” Napangiti ako sa sinabi ni Miss Lopez. Is it, though? Tumango ako at akmang aalis na nang muling nagsalita si Miss Lopez. “Do consider it, Vivienne. Opportunities like this are kind of a once in a lifetime.” At iyon nga ang ginawa ko. On my way home, I weighed my options and everything seemed to point to Westonvill Academy. Inaamin ko, gusto ko ring makapag-aral sa paaralang kagaya nito dahil makakatulong ito sa college application ko in the near future. Miss Lopez was right. Opportunities like this were rare and it would be such a waste not to grab it. Bago pa man ako nakapasok sa bahay, buo na ang desisyon ko. Kung papayag si Mama na mag-entrance exam ako sa Westonvill Academy, I will grab the opportunity. Kabado akong dumiretso sa kusina sapagkat alam kong nandoon si Mama, naghahanda ng pananghalian namin. Isang matamis na ngiti ang iginawad niya sa akin nang masilayan ako. “Viv, saktong-sakto luto na ang menudo,” ani niya. “Kumusta 'yung lakad mo? Nakuha mo na ba ang card at saka ibang mga dokumento mo? Kailangan mo pang mag-desisyon kung saang paaralan ka magse-senior high.” I sat on the chair and put the folder in the table, showing it to her. “Ma, tungkol diyan, may sinabi sa akin si Miss Lopez na scholarship sa Westonvill Academy.” “Westonvill Academy? Diba magarang paaralan iyan?” tanong ni Mama habang sinasandok ang menudo sa bowl. “Yup. The school is open for top students, offering full scholarship, free accommodation, and monthly allowance para sa makakapasok sa top fifty ng entrance exam,” dahan-dahang paliwanag ko. “Siyempre, hindi naman guaranteed na makakapasok ako sa top fifty pero...” “Pero gusto mong subukan?” dugtong niya. I waited for my mother to sit down across me before nodding. “It's a great opportunity, Ma. Kung sakaling makapasok ako, malaking tulong ito sa pag-aaral ko. I need to start working with my educational background para pagdating ng panahon, madali akong makahanap ng magandang trabaho.” Nilagyan ni Mama ng kanin at menudo ang plato ko. Her smile did not falter as she looked me in the eyes. “'Nak, you don't have to explain habang namumutla sa kaba. Kung sa tingin mo'y makakatulong ito sa iyo, hindi kita pipigilan, alam mo 'yan. Kung si Miss Lopez nga ini-encourage ka na sumubok, ako pa kayang nanay mo? Your happiness is what matters most to me in this world, Viv.” “Pero malayo po 'yung Westvill Academy,” maluha-luha kong tanong. “Wait. I think it is arrogant of me to worry like that. Wala pa namang entrance exam at saka hindi naman siguradong makakapasok ako sa top fifty. I'm pretty sure maraming mas matalino kaysa sa akin na gustong sumubok.” “As if naman magpapatalo ang anak ko. I'm sure makakapasok ka, Viv. Gusto kong malaman mo na suportado kita sa kahit na anong gusto mong gawin as long as para sa ikabubuti mo ito.” “Para sa ikabubuti natin, Ma,” I corrected her. “It's just the two of us, so I'll do everything I can to give you the life you deserve.” Inabot ni Mama ang kamay ko sabay sabing, “Ang magkaroon ng anak na kagaya mo ay sapat na para sa'kin, Vivienne.” Kumain ako nang may ngiti sa labi. There were times when I got sad that my father was not with us but watching my mother's loving face erased it all. She's the main reason why I wanted to succeed so badly. After having my mother's approval about taking the entrance exam of Westonvill Academy, I spent the whole day working with the papers. I only had one more week to ready myself kaya inihanda ko ang lahat ng mga lesson notes ko. With my mother's picture in my desk, I studied with all my might, eager to make it to the top fifty. I'll make you proud of me, Ma. Kaya natin 'to kahit tayong dalawa lang.