VMRC –  A Brilliant Profile of 16-year-old Pinay

By J. Nava Cruz
Middle East 
October 29, 2017



Born on 14 June, 2001 in Cabiao, Nueva Ecija, Vianca Marie Reyes Cabigting, simply named VMRC, joined at the early age of three her parents, both Overseas Filipino workers/professionals, Joy Cabigting and Vherzeth Cabigting to live and study in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which from then on, exposed Vianca, their first child, to the various issues of social strata the whole world faces today, let alone, given her the privilege to witness, up-close and personal, the tapestry and social fabrics surrounding the expatriate lives, including the almost a million Filipinos in the Kingdom — one of the backbones of the Philippine economy where her beloved parents belong.

 Having the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as her second home for the last 12 years, given its multi-cultural, multi-lingual, multi-racial, multi-social ambiance at its forefront and background, Vianca started  to curve a world — a magnificent cultural, creative paradise of her own, with a concrete mindset to prove herself, most importantly, to achieve her goals in pursuit of serving and helping others. 

During the recent casual tête-à-tête of this writer/author with Vianca at Darbar Restaurant inside  Lulu Mall, Vianca shared a number of personal insights and thoughts, which, according to her, serve as a yardstick on how she fulfills and achieves her overall goals in life:  “As this young age, I am proud of what I know. I am sure that I can do better things, not only for myself, but for others.  All what we need is to have a positive attitude and values.”  Vianca added that she is truly aware of what’s happening in her society, and everyone should take on a responsibility towards a positive change. For her fellow youths, who as well belong to the ‘Generation Z’, Vianca shared the thought imparted to by her surfer instructor during one of their surfing sessions in Baler  “Huwag mong hayaang laruin ka ng alon; ikaw ang maglaro sa alon,” which basically meant to say: “Do not allow others control the directions of your life; it’s you to maneuver your decisions, your goals and your life.”

Likewise, Vianca is in full support and involvement in a number of concluded humanitarian and creative activities such as the “Concert for a Cause for Yolanda Victims’ organized by Mr. Elipas Sibua; ‘the 29^th EDSA Anniversary Celebration with art painting contest among Filipino international students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia organized the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, and the list goes on. 

As of this writing, Vianca is scheduled to return back to the Philippines this April of 2018 to pursue her Grade 11 studies while simultaneously plan to get a deeper artistic immersions in the world of arts.  And as she prepares herself going back home, Vianca starts to gather all her strength and courage knowing that this won’t be easy considering this would be the very first time she will be separated from her parents and younger sister Veronica.

But having in mind the consolation of being with her Beloved Philippines back after 12 years and, with a big goal in mind — that one day, her human faculties, talents and abilities will fully explore the nuances of human spirits and render deeply moving reflections especially on the lives of millions Overseas Filipinos, like her Mom and Dad — VMRC (Vianca) knows she can make it. 

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(J. Nava Cruz, an OFW, is a writer/documentarist/published book author in the Philippines. - Note: The writer/author sincerely thank the 10-year-old Veronica, the younger sister of Vianca, who shared her brilliant thoughts, from time-to-time, during the course of Vianca’s interview.  Veronica, the witty-talented girl, is a consistent First Honors student at the International Philippine School in Riyadh.)