Valedictorian siblings say there is no secret to their success

As graduates march with heads held high, their parents, too, are filled with pride. For Manny and Milette Narciso, this year's graduation season brings them twice as much joy, as their two children graduated at the top of their class.

 

According to siblings Daniel and Justine, there is no secret to becoming valedictorian.

 

"Knowledge is available to everyone," said 13-year-old Daniel in an interview with GMA News' Kara David and Howie Severino on News to Go on April 1. "It's what you do with it that I think allows you to motivate yourself and feel that you want to excel. It's always there, it's available to everyone, and it's up to you really if you want to excel as much," said his sister, 17-year-old Justine. 

 

Both Daniel and Justine graduated as valedictorians from Reedley International School this year.

 

"People ask if there's a secret, I don't think there is a secret," said Justine.

 

For Milette, love and kindness are most important. "That's what their dad always tells them. Just love what you do, and always treat the other people right. Your colleagues, your classmates, your teachers right, and good things will always come to you," she said. 

 

Excelling for the sake of it

 

The siblings said their passion for studying began at Saigon South International School in Vietnam, where they lived for two years after their father was assigned to work there.

 

"In Vietnam, I don't know why but everyone wanted to excel, and seeing them, just wanting to do it for the sake of excelling made us think, well we can try that too," Justine told GMA News Online.

 

In Vietnam, she and her brother would join their friends, who would study after school.

 

"The teachers also motivated us, and I think that was one of the reasons why it helped," she said.

 

Her mother added that in Vietnam, the children also participated in a lot of extracurricular activites, such as basketball, soccer, and volleyball.

 

When they returned to the Philippines, they looked for a school where the children could continue to thrive.

 

Milette explained that their first concern was for their children to be happy. "I wanted the happiness in Vietnam to continue here, so naghanap talaga kami ng school that was similar, where they could all go together," Milette said.

 

Daniel noted that being valedictorian is not just about academics. "Ten percent of the decision for valedictorian comes from extracurriculars," said Daniel, who got a medal for winning in an archery tournament. 

 

Meanwhile, Justine discovered her passion for basketball in Vietnam. "When I transferred to Reedley, I realized that they didn't have a girls' basketball team and I remember I first initiated one and we won third place in one of the basketball tournaments," said Justine, who was also able to manage the boys' basketball team.

 

Study habits

 

When they returned to the Philippines, the children continued to excel in school, but without having to spend hours studying at home.

 

"I never forced them. My role is just a supporting role. Ako 'yung driver, so I would just drive them to school and if they need to stay longer, okay," Milette said.

 

Daniel said he would study for about an hour every day. According to his mother, he would already do his homework in school, while waiting to be picked up.

 

"I trust them already that when they say gawa na 'yung homework, it's to a high quality already," Milette said, adding that there was no need for the children to go to tutorial centers. Their only tutor is their father, who helps them with Math.

 

Justine explained that at Reedley, students can take advantage of one-on-one academic consultation sessions. "But if you listen in school, you don't really have to study at home, as long as you're motivated, you'll be able to do it," she said.

 

Don't forget to play

 

Milette stressed that children should be allowed to have other interests apart from studying.

 

"When they're happy, they want to excel, they want to perform," she said. Meanwhile, parents must be sure to support their children. 

 

"They know that andyan lang kami if they need us. And so they just go off on their own and try to be the best persons they can be and just enjoy what they do," she said.

 

Unlike other children, Justine and Daniel don't have to follow strict rules about watching television or going online. Their parents trust them to set their priorities and follow a schedule, which they learned to do even when they were very young.

 

"Since we were kids, the idea has always been, finish your homework, and then you can play after. It somehow integrated into our lives, that same pattern that we grew up, and because of that, we were able to manage our time more," Justine said. 

 

Milette added that playing outside was necessary. "If you don't allow them to play, if you don't allow kids to be kids, they won't like studying. They won't like learning," she said. 

 

Residents of the universe

 

Milette said the test will be when her children go to college. "Justine will be entering college this June, and I think she might just have a little difficulty in Filipino," Milette said.

 

At Reedley, the students learn foreign languages, but not Filipino. Even at home, the Narcisos communicate in English. "Even the yayas speak in English," Milette said.

 

Before going to Vietnam, Justine was a student at St. Paul, where she said her grades were average. Meanwhile, Daniel was consistently among the top students in La Salle. 

 

"We were able to learn at least the basics. We understand Tagalog. It's just that we can't really speak it that well," said Justine, who will be taking Filipino lessons this summer.

 

"The Filipino has always been weak. That's why we chose Reedley. Less stress. My point kasi is always why stress the child?" said Milette, who said they decided to enroll the children in an international school, where they would not have to speak in Filipino.

 

"People will say, 'but you're Filipino. You should be speaking in Filipino.' But honestly, we are residents of the universe. We're universal. I mean, going abroad and seeing all of the other people all in one place, you just want to get along. When you're there, when you're away from home, you just want to make friends," she said.

 

Milette said that she hoped the same strategy they used to make their children so-called performers—providing a happy, supportive environment—will get them through whatever challenges college will bring for them. —Carmela G. Lapeña/KG, GMA News