I’ve learned from the mother ( Merly ) that they came all the way from Negros Oriental. (Negros Island, Philippines ) more than 10 years ago. Merly and her husband ( Agustin ) with 3 of the children were living in a very poor community in Negros and money was always the biggest issue for survival. Merly’s father who first came to Puerto Princesa asked them to come and farm some land he said he bought for them but only to find out later that he never had any land of his own. They eventually decided to stay in Puerto Prinsesa because of lack of money to return to Negros.
Agustin knows farming and farming other people’s land (being a tenant) is the only way they have to live. If the father gets lucky sometimes to find a nice landlord during planting season, they have no worry during harvest and get a little for food for the whole family. But life here has been very difficult just being a tenant farmer as a high percentage of any crop goes to the land owner.
When it comes to education, the father didn’t have real education. He only went to Grade 3. He learned farming from his father. Merly finished her elementary school and reached 2nd year in high school. Merly always has the dream to send her children to school. She knows that the only thing she can give to her children is a good education. She sent them to school but had to stop because of lack of school supplies and financial difficulty eventhough tuition fees are free in public schools in the nearby town.
Crysle’s Family
Father: Agustin Marinas
Children: Age Birthday
1. Renante: 18 y/o January 25, 1989
2. Kristina 16 y/o July 9, 1991 – daughter: Mary Jane : 4 months
3. Christopher 14 y/o July 9,1992
4. Crysle 12 y/o July 9, 1994
5. Agustin Jr 10 y/o Oct. 28, 1996
6. Ronald 6 y/o December 7, 2001
7. Jhonas 3 y/o June 8, 2003
8. Kristine Joy 1 y/o July 30, 2005
