Boy with glaucoma shows loss of sight is not barrier

ALABEL, Sarangani—Fifteen-year-old Steven Valdepeñas may have lost his eyesight but not his dream and self-confidence.

Steven had proven that having congenital glaucoma was not an obstacle to academic excellence.

On Jan. 18, he topped one of the nationwide elimination rounds of the Metrobank Math Challenge (MMC), which is jointly undertaken by Metrobank, Math Teachers’ Association of the Philippines and the Department of Education.

Steven’s achievement was the first time  a visually impaired student placed high in the 11-year history of MMC.

MMC was previously held only in the National Capital Region, but it was expanded in 2001 to include elementary and high school students nationwide.

The annual contest produces national winners who get the rare chance to compete and eventually win in international competitions.

Steven, a graduating elementary student at Alabel Central Integrated Special Education Center, bested 15 other contestants during the elimination round for Grade 6 in the district of East Alabel in January.

In Sarangani province, he was among 234 students who passed the MMC.

His teachers and family said despite his visual problem, Steven always excelled in academics, especially in Math, his most favorite subject.

He has already won several awards in competitions.

Aside from being a Math whiz, Steven was also declared best orator at a competition staged by the Davao City-based Resources for the Blind Inc. (RBI) last year.

Gemima F. Casalan, the boy’s class adviser, said Steven’s confidence has not waned even with his difficulty.

“Despite his visual infirmity, he has no inferiority complex. He’s a fast learner, hardworking and humble,” Casalan said.

She said in her 11 years of teaching visually impaired students, she has not encountered anybody like Steven.

“He is one of a kind. He could barely read when he transferred to our school three years ago. But I immediately noticed his innate talent. So, we gave him the support he needs and we encouraged him to join competitions,” Casalan said.

Among those who encouraged the boy, she said, was Glenda Morales, the principal of Alabel Central Elementary School.

Casalan said to help Steven, she personally sought the help of Sarangani Vice Gov. Steve Chiongbian-Solon, who donated a Braille writer to the boy.

During the MMC, the questions were translated into Braille by teacher and 2001 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Teacher award winner Evelyn Caja of Ramon Magsaysay High School in Manila.

Aniceto Sobrepeña, the Metrobank Foundation president, said he was very impressed by Steven’s showing in the contest.

“The participation of Steven, a visually impaired pupil from Sarangani, is remarkable and is something we ardently embrace,” he said in a statement.

Sobrepeña said Steven’s remarkable performance during the contest proved once again that disability is never a hindrance to academic excellence.