The heartbreaking story behind the viral student’s excuse letter

Marinel De Guzman recently turned viral when her teacher posted on Facebook her  heartbreaking excuse letter. 

“Sorry po sir jay hindi po ako nakapasok kaninang umaga dahil wala po akong baon. Kanina lang po nakahanap si nanay ng baon namin. Sorry po,”  wrote Marinel, a Grade 8 student from Bongabon, Nueva Ecija.

It quickly pinched hearts, touched nerves, and got tears rolling down our collective cheeks.

"Nadurog ang puso ko," read a portion of the caption of the post of her teacher, Christian Jay Ordoña.

According to a Balitanghali report, Marinel admitted to frequently skipping class, sometimes saying she is sick instead of admitted she had no money for school.

Lilibeth, her mother, also told the program said that her daily earning of P120 cannot cover all of her five daughters’ needs. Two of them, including Marinel, are currently in school. 

“Gusto ko po talagang makapagtapos [si Marinel]. E ‘di po ba sabi nga e hindi hadlang ang kahirapan, [pero] totoo po 'yon. Mga kaklase niya kumakain, siya hindi. Kumbaga naaawa po akong gano’n,” shared the mother.

Meanwhile, Marinel's teacher, Christian Jay Ordoña explained why he posted his student's letter: “Dahil gusto ko pong magbigay ng inspirasyon sa mga makakabasa.” 

When the photo went viral, Marinel and her family was surprised at the amount of help that came their way. Marinel said she will do everything she can to not skip her classes anymore and serve as a model student in their school. — Aaron San Mateo/LA, GMA News