Yesterday, I posted a link to a 4 November Op/Ed in the Philippine Star by Mr. Federico D. Pascual. I agree with his thought that the political angle of the writeup done by the Bread of Life Ministries was indeed what was most striking. While it was quite unfair for Malacañang to honor Ms. Jasmine Trias with an invitation to meet President Arroyo, it is likewise unfair to raise accusations that government had not done its part in giving Faye an appropriate welcome. In Mr. Pascual’s words, “… in fairness, since the contest sponsors, her school and the others involved in the contest did not publicize the science quiz, it might be too much to expect Malacanang to know about Faye’s achievement and to spread the welcome mat.” Further, it is also quite inappropriate to use a child in raising political points.

Today, in her CRAZED column in the Philippine Star, Ms. Patricia Chanco Evangelista writes more on Faye. Recall that she had written about the young lady before, in reaction, perhaps, to the original “Misplaced Priorities” article that had been circulating in cyberspace. Yes, she does exist, indeed. After all the brouhaha over whether she is real or not, people who have now seen her in the flesh, do attest her existence.

Ms. Evangelista’s article provides an account of Faye’s experiences from latter’s own point of view: in particular how she felt about her journey from daily reviews, to being a ridiculed in a regional contest, to her ingenuity during the Quiz Net in Australia, and finally to her prevailing as champion.

Now that the world knows about the travails and success of Ms. Faye Nicole B. San Juan, it would be only appropriate to grant her the hero’s welcome she deserves.

Link to the article in Philstar.com here.
Cached link (on my server, since Philstar.com does not archive articles) here.

An excerpt:

Her name is Faye Nicole B. San Juan. She is 12-years-old, a quiet girl with serious eyes and a habit of furrowing her brow when deep in thought. She answers simply questions that people thrice her age would hesitate over. When the right question comes along, the mature mind gives way to the irrepressible child, and Faye bubbles over with giggles as an impish grin lights up her face and brightens her eyes.

Yes, she exists.

…

Faye said that to her, being a Filipino meant growing up in a country ridiculed and condemned all over the world. For her, being a Filipino is an everyday challenge to change that perception. She tells a story of how in Indonesia, during the earlier leg of the competition, she was so nervous that she failed to answer the first question in the quiz. She was booed – the only person to have ever been booed in the competition. She says it was because during that time, people had so little respect for Filipinos they felt they had the right to mock her that way. After that incident, she said “Ipapakita ko talaga sa kanila.” And she showed them what a Filipino could do.

…

Faye’s story is not out there to ask for aid. Her mother would not have been compelled to come out with Faye’s full identity if it were not for the claims against her child. As Faye’s pastor said, her story was told to show Filipinos that one individual could do well, even one alone and unaided. The story was about hope, about Filipinos who can excel in spite of monumental odds.

Faye deserves the congratulations. Thanks to so many who believe, she is getting it now.

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