Summary
Highlights
Elsa (Grade 10) and Karen (Grade 5) wake up at 3 AM daily to prepare for school. They walk for three hours, using flashlights and cellphones to navigate dark, muddy, and rocky paths. They change into their uniforms at a relative's house to keep them clean. Their mother encourages them to study to escape poverty.
After the muddy trails, students like Elsa and Karen must cross the Beras River, which can reach dangerous levels during the rainy season. Elsa recounts almost drowning when she and her brother were swept away by the current. Despite the danger, she remains determined, accepting the river as a part of her daily commute.
Teachers observe that students from remote areas like Elsa and Karen arrive exhausted. Karen, though tired, is eager to learn. Elsa, who attends high school 6 kilometers away, often arrives late and cannot afford the tricycle fare. Her teachers express admiration for her dedication despite the hardships.
Barangay Latag has endured the same treacherous journey for over 40 years, with only temporary bamboo bridges built by residents. A new steel and wood bridge was installed recently but is already deteriorating, posing a risk to students. Locals and teachers are desperate for a permanent concrete bridge to ensure the safety and continuity of education for their children.
Many students in Barangay Latag drop out due to the lack of proper roads and bridges, opting for agricultural work instead. Enrollment in both elementary and high schools has significantly decreased. This situation hinders children's potential and prospects for a better future, emphasizing the urgent need for infrastructure development.
Elsa dreams of becoming a teacher to help other children overcome similar obstacles. Her mother, Aling Herena, is the sole breadwinner, working odd jobs like lifting heavy stones for sugarcane plantations, earning meager wages. Elsa's father and another sister suffer from kidney disease, adding to the family's financial burden. This motivates Elsa to persevere in her studies.
Local officials, including the current Mayor Antonio Barcelon, are aware of the problem but cite economic factors and the high cost of bridge construction as impediments. Former Mayor Rosario Apacible claims her budget for a bridge was delayed due to political obstacles. Residents criticize the lack of action, noting that the community has suffered despite voting for current officials.
The documentary concludes by emphasizing that roads and bridges are more than just infrastructure; they are pathways to livelihoods, education, and development. It calls on parents, government, and the community to ensure that every Filipino child has a safe and encouraging journey to school, highlighting the importance of proactive and developmental leadership.