SHS grad gifts medal to PWD dad who peddled food to raise family

Graduation medals are traditionally worn by the students who earned them — a symbol of years of sleepless nights, grit, and perseverance. They stand as proof of a dream fulfilled and a future waiting to begin.

But 17-year-old Rico Leguro had other plans for his award. Long before his name was called on stage, he knew his honor medal didn’t belong around his own neck — he already had someone else in mind who truly earned it.

Right after the ceremony, the senior high school graduate gave the honor medal he had just received to his dad, Reynante Leguro, a person with disability (PWD) who spent years peddling food around their community to support their family despite his condition — the one who he truly believes deserves it.

The emotional moment, captured in a video that later went viral, resonated with thousands online. While many saw it as a touching display of gratitude between a son and his father, for Rico it is a recognition of years of sacrifice, perseverance and unconditional love that no medal can ever measure.

“I wanted to repay all the sacrifices he made for me. If you’re proud of me, Dad, I’m even prouder of you,” Rico said in an interview with INQUIRER.net.

Growing up in Atimonan, Quezon, Rico witnessed firsthand the challenges his family faced. After his parents separated due to financial difficulties, he and his younger brother were raised primarily by their father and grandfather. Although life was often uncertain, the two older men did everything they could to provide for the family.

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Reynante was born with a disability that makes walking and using one of his hands difficult. According to Rico, his father also has difficulty understanding some things compared with most people. Despite these challenges, he never allowed his condition to become an excuse to stop working. Instead, he spent years earning a living by selling food around their community.

In the morning, Reynante sells “puto” and other native delicacies. By noon, he goes around offering “turon,” “palitaw” and ice candy. In the evening, he sells balut. Most of the products are not his own. Rather, neighbors entrust him with their goods, and he earns only a share of the profits from the items sold.

“He has difficulty walking and moving around, but he never gave up on supporting us,” Rico said. “Even when life became difficult, he continued working because he wanted us to stay in school.”

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The family’s financial situation was often precarious. On good days, Reynante earned between P150 and P300, an amount that had to cover food, transportation and other daily expenses. There were times when the family had no rice to cook and survived on cassava, vegetables grown by Rico’s grandfather, or simple porridge just to get through the day.

What impressed Rico most was not only his father’s determination but also his integrity. Despite years of hardship, he said Reynante never resorted to dishonest means to provide for the family.

“No matter how difficult life became, he never taught us to do anything wrong. He never cheated anyone. He always chose to earn honestly,” Rico said.

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Watching his father struggle and persevere motivated Rico to pursue his studies despite financial obstacles. During high school, there were days when he barely had enough money for transportation and meals. At times, he missed classes because there was simply no money available for school expenses.

“There were moments when I told my father I would stop attending school so we could use the money for food instead,” he recalled. “But he always refused. He kept telling me to continue studying because he wanted me to finish school.”

Determined to help his family, Rico took on work whenever given an opportunity. He eventually became a helper at a “pares” restaurant in Cabuyao, Laguna. Although the hours can be exhausting, he considers them a small sacrifice compared to everything his father has endured.

On graduation day, Reynante was unable to attend the ceremony because he still had to work. Instead, Rico’s 82-year-old grandfather represented the family and witnessed him receive his diploma and honors.

But even in his father’s absence, Rico already knew where the medal would go once he got home.

“If there is anyone who truly deserves this medal, it is my father,” Rico said. “Everything I achieved is because of him.”

Now a senior high school graduate at Atimonan National Comprehensive High School, Rico hopes to pursue a degree in information technology. He is focused on working and saving enough money to return to school.

More than earning a college diploma, however, he dreams of giving his family a life free from constant financial worry. He hopes that one day his father will no longer need to spend entire days walking from place to place just to earn enough for the family’s next meal.

“My dream is for them to experience a life where they no longer have to work so hard,” Rico said. “It’s time for them to rest, and for us, their children, to give back.” — Chris Joy Campa-an, INQUIRER.net trainee

/ra

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