By Ven Arigo
Bohol ChronicleAn elementary valedictorian, of poor family, distantly looks at dreams of a bright future amid pains of the Big C and echoes a call to fellow young Boholanos: Do not fail your parents.
William Tambis of Cambailan, Catigbian, Bohol, still yearns to finish a course but his illness, a nasopharynzal carcinoma or nasal cancer on stage four, has physically weakened him.
Now 23, the intellectually gifted young man's only consolation was his having completed his secondary years at the Holy Infant Academy (HIA) in his town out of "mercy" grades.
The Chronicle chanced upon him when he visited Rep. Edgar Chatto here to thank for the solon's assistance while he underwent chemotherapy sessions at the Philippine General Hospital.
Consistently topping his class, then the pupil Tambis graduated valedictorian at the Cambailan Elementary School.
He was 14 and already in secondary education years when he started to feel pains in the head.
He could no longer do his school works as normal students would, but the boy was persistent to finish high school.
He had the pity of his teachers, who allowed him to just keep schooling because they would let him pass and graduate "no matter what would happen."
Tambis sensed he could no longer go to college.
His father Pedro is a family driver in Manila while his mother Lydia is now a barangay kagawad, whose election the son attributed to barrio people's way of helping their family.
Their poverty has not discouraged his younger three brothers from pursuing their studies - one is taking food technology in a vocational school, the two others now in high school.
Tambis advised all other young Boholanos to be sincere and serious in their studies as he recalled a time when one of his brothers decided to stop schooling.
He told his brother that he would surely continue his studies "God permits." His brother got back to school.
It was in 2005 when he was diagnosed of stage-four nasal cancer, Tambis recounted to the Chronicle.
Alone, he had gone to the offices of Vice Pres. Noli de Castro, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and then Sen. Serge Osmeña for additional medical assistance.
At one time, Tambis was allowed inside the Malacanang compound but was only assisted by an aide of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo.
Tambis said he could never forget how Chatto and his congressional staff in Manila had accommodated and assisted him.
One of his intents in visiting the solon in his house here was for one of his brothers to avail of scholarship.
Tambis still hopes for a "miracle to happen because nothing is impossible with God."
The elementary valedictorian wearily recalls an intimately tearful moment with his mother when he asked: "Would it be just okay to you, Ma, if I would graduate in high school without honors."
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