While most students take tricycles or jeepneys to class, Kathline Jovellanos, a 14-year-old student from Dagupan City, crosses a river by boat every day just to reach school.

Kathline, a Grade 9 student at Dagupan City National High School, rides a small boat across the river in Barangay Pantal each morning.

The boat trip takes about three minutes. From there, she hops on a jeep to get to school.

She does this not just for the experience, but to save money. A boat ride costs only P5, while a tricycle ride could go as high as P50.

“Yung pagbabangka ko po, worth it po para makapag-save ako, para hindi ko na kailangang humingi kay mama,” she said.

While she knows the river can be dangerous, Kathline says she is used to it and puts her trust in God for her safety.

“Nasasanay na ako. Madalas kaming sumakay ng mama ko. Sanay na sanay na akong sumakay ng bangka,” she added.

Her daily sacrifice is fueled by a bigger dream: To become an accountant.

“Hindi mo makakamit ‘yun na hindi ka naghihirap, nagtityaga o nagdidiskarte para maabot mo yung isang bagay,” she said.

Her friends admire her for her discipline, resourcefulness, and strength.

“Lalo na sa pagtitipid, magaling [siya] magtipid, sa kaniya ako natutong magtipid,” Jebel Ravanzo, Kathline's best friend, said.

At home in Sitio Baybay, Barangay Pantal, Kathline’s mother, Angeline Dela Torre, said her daughter asks for money rarely and understands the struggles of their family.

“Hindi humihingi ng pera, baon lang. Kahit walang pasok, hindi humihingi ng pera. Alam niya ang hirap ng buhay namin,” she said.

Perhaps Kathline’s journey is a reminder that determination and sacrifice can move one forward, even against the current.