Bumpy Roads Lead to Better Places: The Story of a Stat Prodigy

"It's okay to stand on your own feet but be smart enough to know when you need assistance, and be brave enough to ask for it." This is one of the life lessons from Mr. Reynaldo Trajano Cuevas V, a 23-year-old who hailed from the busy street of Cabanatuan City and is set to graduate and receive the highest honor among the graduating class of 2023 on March 3 during the 32nd Mid-year Commencement Exercises. Finishing his degree in BS Statistics, Reynaldo relates his life to the volatile data that he always interprets - it is full of ups and downs. His academic struggles begin when his proposal for his thesis did not make it on time. "After kong malaman na hindi pwede ‘yung unang proposal ko syempre nalungkot ako, iniisip ko kung anong susunod kong gagawin at the same time nawalan din ako ng motivation kaya hindi rin po ako nakapag simula agad." Inspired by his mother's love, Mrs. Nerissa Trajano Cuevas who's been with him since day one, Reynaldo was able to rise from this setback and prove himself by garnering the general weighted average of 1.51, which made him lead this year's graduating class. Reynaldo did not expect to graduate as the batch valedictorian, because, for him he only wanted to finish his studies, find a job, and earn some money to give back to his parents. When he heard the news from his mentors, he found himself tearing up, realizing that he would finally graduate and all of his parents' efforts would bear fruit. I dedicate this achievement to my parents, if it's not for their support, assistance, understanding, and guidance I will not be here. Sobrang salamat Mama and Papa!" he exclaimed. Reynaldo admits that he was also one of those students who was terrified to make mistakes, but later on, he realized that they were only challenges that would make him stronger and more resilient throughout. Cuevas journey as a student is an example of courage and perseverance. It was full of struggle, but he sits and analyzes the problem to come up with a solution that have a positive result saying "Iniinda ko yung failures pero sinisiguro ko na makakabawi ako." Making mistakes is part of our lives, but the good thing is we always learned from those mistakes. As the old saying goes, experience is the best teacher that we will ever have. Like Reynaldo, we must learn to stand on our own, but we have to know that we will not learn everything by experience, rather, we can always tap someone's shoulder and ask for help, if necessary. Indeed, he is proof that when we are bold enough to admit our shortcomings, we will become a better person with great achievements.