Janitress’ son graduates valedictorian

MANGALDAN, Pangasinan, Philippines — A son of a janitress graduated yesterday as class valedictorian of the 1,078- strong first batch of K to 12 completers of the biggest high school in Region 1 located here.

Eighteen-year-old Kenneth Clauna who took up Humanities and Social Sciences of the K to 12 program at Mangaldan National High School, told The STAR that he is dedicating his feat to his mom, Ma. Cristina Clauna, “because this is the result of her hard work.”

Kenneth’s mom did the biggest sacrifice when she decided to work as janitress in Laguna to sustain their needs.  

The family became penniless, their house and lot were sold for his father’s medical expenses because of brain tumor. They were in huge debt as hospital expenses reached almost P1 million. Ma. Cristina partly worked in the hospital to at least minimize their debt.  

Kenneth’s family has to stretch their budget from the P1,500 sent monthly by his mom and some help from her aunt to make both ends meet.

“There were times that we had little for our food, went to school with no money (baon), no new school uniforms,” Kenneth recalled.   

His highest grade as senior high graduate is 99 while his lowest is 90. 

Kenneth will pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Communication course possibly at the University of the Philippines in Baguio City to further hone his writing skills. He is also a good speaker.

He said he wants to be a good journalist someday.