Three weeks ago, I visited Bani, a coastal town in Pangasinan, upon the invitation of my cousin Boyboy who is on vacation from his work as second engineer on an international bulk carrier. He takes pride on the two-story house he is building for his family and the completion of the mortgage over a brand new car.

Over dinner, Boyboy reminisced the sacrifices his late father who was the sole breadwinner of the family of 12. His father was a janitor in the town’s public elementary school. Eight of his 10 children were able to finish college. Only Boyboy, one of the four boys in the family, decided to pursue a merchant marine profession. Over time and through education, the family was able to surmount the difficulties of having a large family of limited means.

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