Education Hero: Getting to Know Pam Begre

How would you define your mission in life?
When my time is up, I want to make sure that I have contributed to making the world better, especially for my children and their generation, and the generations after. You don't need to be a Nobel Prize winner or land on Mars. At its core, being a warrior of light in small dozes can make a difference in your life and those around you. Multiply that and it becomes infinite. I hope to make a difference by simply being a bringer of light. One way to do so is to uplift others, by teaching them, valuing them, believing in them. Giving them the courage to believe in themselves. 

Why do you think providing access to quality education is important?
Being informed leads to confidence and ability to make better choices. It gives hope for  a better future. As a society, we can go far when we lift each other up. We become better as a society when people around us are able to progress. Laging dinidiin yan ng mga magulang ko nung araw pa. Importante na mag-aral. No one can take that away from you. Pero bakit kaunti lang? Importante na magkaroon ng sari-saring paraan para magkaroon din ng oportunidad ang nakararami. We rise together. 

What compelled you to say yes to becoming a Mano Amiga ambassador?

I have always admired Mano Amiga's advocacy and action. I've always wanted to perhaps one day adopt a school or at least assist. When I learned bout Mano Amiga and Lynn asked me about this opportunity, it was a fast yes. It is an honor to be able to help. I am grateful to Mano Amiga for the opportunity to contribute.

What would you consider to be the best learning experience of life?

Anything that equates to bringing forth resilience and growth. You can't zero in on one best experience. Collective experiences shape us into who we are. Challenges and eating a piece, or many, of that humble pie can transcend into self-realizations. In life, pain is inevitable, there are challenges, there are sorrows, but if not for those, then we wouldn't learn. What's the point if everything is easy? We don't grow. 

If you could tell your 10-year old self one thing, what would it be?

In the year 2020, there will be a pandemic. Hahaha! Just kidding. I don't want my 10 year old self to be so worried. I want my 10-year old self to not grow up fast and savor childhood. There is a time for other phases in life. I do however will tell my younger self (maybe teenage or 20s version) not to take things for granted. I have always been appreciative of life but I would probably say, "more, appreciate life even more." I can recount many days on how I could've made my time more useful, more loving, and just overall EXTRA. But that's the beauty isn't it? If not for those experiences, you don't learn. No regrets. 

What is the WHY that keeps you going? 

To be there for others. I am most happy when I'm able to help. It gives me purpose when I am part of making things happen. Life is a gift and we are on earth to be able to help others. 

How do you think we can empower/uplift and strengthen each other during this time?

Focus on the now and emulate realistic optimism. Not over the top optimism as that gives false hope. Realistic optimism can be in the form of taking stack of strengths, then turning them into opportunities, and then resulting to action. And this doesn't stop with you. This can be helping a friend identify his or her strengths, brainstorm with them, and create opportunities. Contribute to actions and efforts. What's important is we keep going.

I'd like to point out though that not everyone can get up and going, yet. Some people need time to heal. And that's ok. We all went through trauma, heck, the whole world went through trauma. What's important is we are all still there for each other any way we can. 

I've found though, even more during this pandemic, that when all things are unclear, making use of your time by being there for others helps. You learn and discover things about yourself as you go along, and it gives you a sense of purpose. That then propels you forward. 

What is giving you hope during this pandemic?

I cling to appreciating that today is a gift, and tomorrow is a bonus. Pandemic or not, we never know what will happen the next day, the next minute. It makes me hopeful when I embrace today, change my perspective and appreciate what's in front of me. It gives me hope that when tomorrow comes, it is a new day to live and it's up to you on what you make of it no matter the situation.

What gives me hope is seeing people not giving up, making ways to be there for each other. Humanity at its best. Yes many ugly heads of evil are prominent, but humanity’s resolve in making things better for each other and being there for each other gives me so much hope. 

Mano Amiga’s efforts are amazing and I am in awe of what you guys are doing to provide access for students in need. When the pandemic started, there was a drawing circulating online of a child learning online and a child outside the window, peering in, hoping to be able to. You have dismantled the window and provided ways for students to continue their studies in the midst of this pandemic. It gives me hope that programs like these are made possible. It gives me hope that we as a nation, (as humans even) are trying, making ways, helping where we can.