'Bangkang papel' boy graduates

MANILA, Philippines - One of the so-called “Bangkang Papel Boys,” Erwin Dolera, recently graduated with a BS Mass Communications degree from the Trinity University of Asia where he was a student leader and a dean’s lister.

Dolera, a scholar of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, rose to prominence in 2001 along with Jason Vann Banogan and Jomar Pabalan, when they were presented during the former leader’s first State of the Nation Address as symbols of hope.

Yesterday, Dolera appealed to President Aquino to continue the education programs of his predecessor.

“I’m very thankful that I’ve graduated,” Dolera said in a telephone interview. “But I hope there will be more students who will be given scholarships by the government.”

“I hope the Aquino administration will continue the good programs of the previous administration, particularly on education and anti-poverty,” he said.

“There are many like me who want to graduate from college, if only the government would do more for poor and deserving students,” he added.

Dolera said he believes President Aquino is sincere and is also doing well in his governance.

Dolera, Banogan and Pabalan’s families were among those left homeless when Payatas collapsed and buried some 1,000 people living near the garbage pile in July 2000.

They were given the monicker after they wrote their aspirations in paper boats they floated down the Pasig River to reach Malacannang in a symbolic ceremony.

Dolera, who was eight years old at the time, wished for the closure of the Payatas dumpsite. He also wished that his family would be given land.

Pabalan wished for a permanent job for his father while Banogon wanted to finish college.

In 2010, Dolera and Pabalan reported that their scholarships were discontinued after the Aquino administration took over. Their educational benefits were later restored by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman said Dolera has received educational assistance from the DSWD amounting to P338,081.93 from 2001 to 2012.

“He (Dolera) wants to become a broadcaster that’s why he took up Mass Communication,” said Mary Jane Abello-Casimiro, information officer at the DSWD-National Capital Region.

Dolera said he has already applied to various broadcast networks and is awaiting calls for possible job interviews.

Banogan did not pursue his studies while Pabalan is entering his senior year at the AMA University in Quezon City taking up Information Technology. – With Helen Flores