Feeling a bit cold and out of place in his denim “puruntong” shorts and a simple shirt, 12-year-old Andoy Dalimag seemed more suited for a romp at a popular mall than a visit to the Senate.
As best as he could, he tried not to mind the freezing breath of the air-conditioning at the Session Hall and offered a polite smile to strangers that filled it. Even without speaking or telling of his life story, he sat wide-eyed in the gallery and all the while, giving off an aura of quiet dignity.
Andoy was invited by Sen. Richard J. Gordon as his guest after learning of his success story as the youngest of four teenage tourist guides in Penablanca, Cagayan Province. The Grade Six student explained that two years ago, he had taken on the challenge of qualifying for a tourist guide training program in their town.
He proudly said that of the original 24 from his batch that had qualified for training, he was among the top four that was included in their town’s official roster of tourist guides. (more…)
