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Iloilo student leaves online class to charge gadget after running out of battery on top of mountain


A college teacher has gone viral on social media after posting about her students' difficulties with distance learning.

According to Oscar Oida's report on "24 Oras," Hazel Villa, a professor at West Visayas State University in Iloilo, was on her first day of online class on Monday when a student asked for permission to leave in the middle of the lesson.

They were on a group chat on Facebook, so she questioned why her student would be gone all of a sudden.

"Sabi niya, 'Kasi po mam, ano, mauubos na 'yung baterya ko.' [Sabi ko] 'E di mag-charge ka.' Tipong taray ko pa di ba, mawawalan ka ng baterya eh di mag-charge ka. Common sense naman 'yan," Villa said.

It turned out, however, that the student was on top of the mountain just to connect to the internet. With no access to a power outlet, they would need to trek downhill to charge their gadget.

The student promised that they would be back to attend other classes as soon as their battery is full.

Villa was taken aback, especially when the student sent her a photo of them in a makeshift hut with an iron sheet roofing.

She was soon overcome with emotion after more students came forward with their source of troubles. Rain, for example, makes the climb more difficult, while lightning often sends them running downhill in fear of getting struck.

"Di na ako nakapigil," the professor said. "Alam mo 'yung lalamunan mo na sumasakit dito? Tumulo talaga 'yung luha ko."

When she wrote about her students' plight, she was overwhelmed yet again with the support they received from netizens. Some donated cash and battery packs to help the students.

Asked for her message to other students amid the pandemic, Villa said those who are capable of studying at the comfort of their home should be thankful about their situation.

"Napakahirap pong umakyat ng bundok," she said. "Kailangan n'yo ng strong legs, magpainit at magpaulan para lang po makakuha kayo ng education. So please count yourself blessed." —MGP, GMA News

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