Myrtle Sarrosa on her graduation day —INSTAGRAM
The less-than-ideal state of schools in her hometown, the municipality of Barotac Nuevo in Iloilo, was one of the reasons actress-singer Myrtle Sarrosa decided to run for Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) presidency in 2010.
“Our barangay daycare centers didn’t have enough chairs, the teachers weren’t paid enough and the kids had a hard time focusing in class, because they had to go on an empty stomach,” she told the Inquirer. “I wanted to make a difference and become an advocate for the youth and education.”
“It wasn’t about the position, but the opportunity to help. Our barangay lies in the outskirts of Iloilo City—a one-and-a-half-hour drive. I saw the hardships of the people around me, and so, I wanted to help,” added Myrtle, who graduated cum laude with a degree in broadcast communications from the University of the Philippines-Diliman last year.
The 23-year-old Kapamilya celebrity’s experience as SK president, she said, was one filled with both “joys and heartaches.”
“I felt happy whenever I saw the joy of people who attended our community programs and events; the teachers and students who thanked us for raising funds for chairs and school supplies, and for mounting unforgettable sports and performance arts events,” she related.
But beyond that, Myrtle said serving the government allowed her to see the problems people have to face on a daily basis.
“Every day, there were people seeking help from me. And that taught me to be always ready to extend a helping hand. You have to help them, despite the limited resources,” she pointed out.
Overall, serving as SK president, she said, was a fulfilling part of her life—one that gave her a chance to be surrounded by “great minds” who share the same goals. “It teaches you about nationalism. And I was able to see the passionate eyes of my fellow youth who volunteered to serve the community,” she said.