“Hindi po naging madali ‘yong college sa’kin.”
Christopher John Ignacio, graduating Mechanical Engineering student from Bataan Peninsula State University, says he felt the pressure of being a San Miguel scholar since first year. “Kailangan ko po mag-strive more because kailangan ko po ipakita na deserve ko ‘yong pagiging San Miguel Scholar,” he says. The 21-year-old originally wanted to take up Metallurgical Engineering, but that meant studying in Manila where the course was available, something which they could not afford.
More than the pressure of being a worthy scholar was that of maintaining his scholarship. “Nandoon po ‘yong pressure na kailangan ko po maging consistent scholar kasi po pag nawala po ‘yong pagiging scholar ko, hindi na po kaya ng pamilya ko ipagpatuloy ang college,” he shares. His mother, who raised him and his three siblings singlehandedly, did not have a stable income. The family now relied on his two older siblings for financial support; one worked in construction and the other as an assistant accountant. To Christopher, the scholarship was his only chance at pursuing a college education.
“’Yong mga bata deserve nila na mag-aral talaga, hindi ‘yong magwo-work agad sa murang edad.”
A lot of young students these days take on part-time work to support their studies. For Ernie Bucsit, graduating Electrical Engineering Student from Cavite State University, this has been his way of life since childhood. As early as the age of 10, Ernie has already been doing odd jobs. “Nangangalakal sa dagat, nangingisda…kung ano man po ‘yong pwedeng pagkakitaan na legal,” he says. He was part of “Project Angel K”, a program from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) that helps young children who are working to support their studies and families.
“Sa totoo lang po, ‘di ko talaga na-enjoy ang pagka-bata ko,” admits Ernie. His father, who has a permanently damaged leg from a previous work injury, is a tricycle driver; his mother stayed at home to take care of his siblings. Given their circumstances, he felt the need to work at a very young age to help out his family.
Despite this, Ernie says he never thought of not continuing his education. The eldest of five siblings, one of his biggest motivations in life is his 14-year-old brother who is a special needs child. Ernie hopes to be able to get him treatment while he is still young.
A San Miguel Foundation scholar since his first year, Ernie proudly shares that it has helped him improve his family’s condition in many ways. It has even enabled them to finally accomplish the much needed repairs for their house. His advice to other struggling students like him? “Wag sila mawalan ng pag-asa. Hindi po hadlang talaga ang kahirapan para maabot mo ‘yong pangarap mo, kung ano pangarap mo sa sarili mo, sa pamilya mo, or sa kahit na sino, maging sa society.”
“Hindi ko gusto na maranasan nila ang mga naranasan ko”
For Mary Anjielou “MeAn” Repato, the first few years of college were marked with uncertainty. The 20-year-old Chemistry student of Negros Oriental State University didn’t think she would get through the school’s entrance exam. When she did pass, she had no idea what course to take. When she finally chose Chemistry, she wasn’t sure if she’d be accepted. And when she did get into the program, she wasn’t certain if she would stay in the program.
“Bakit ganito, ba’t ang hirap, ba’t ito pinili ko!” exclaims MeAn, as she recalls how difficult it had been in the early days. She had thoughts of giving up many times, but got over it when she remembers her family. “‘Yong mga magulang ko nagpapadala sila sakin, halos di na sila kumakain,” says Anjielou. Her father was a farmer and did a bit of welding on the side, while her mom was a social worker who earned only P3,000 per month. Being the eldest of four, her family was really putting everything on the line for her education. Her siblings had to make do with a P5 daily allowance; lunch would consist of a P2-vegetable dish, and what’s left would go to other daily needs. She candidly shares that she only had one pair of pants her entire time in college. There were times she couldn’t eat because she had no more money.
It was a low point though when the money from a communal savings among her classmates went missing. She was hurt when she found out that they were blaming her because she was ‘poor’. “Kahit mahirap kami, hindi ko ‘yon gagawin,” she tearfully says.
Her constant worry about her family’s hardships, as well as her own difficulties with school and making ends meet while far from home, became her source of struggle as well as motivation. Having been chosen as a San Miguel Scholar in her 4th year, she is grateful for being given the opportunity out of the numerous applicants out there.
“Ginawa ko po ang makakaya ko na maipaasa lahat sa hirap ng buhay.”
John Mark Villadores, 20-year-old, tried his luck with many scholarship programs early in college, but to no avail. The Mechanical Engineering student of Cebu Technological University (CTU) was already looking for part-time jobs when his teacher called to tell him he was selected for the scholarship. “As bread winner of the family, naisip ko na talaga baka di ako mag-aral, tapos hanap ako trabaho dahil sa hirap ng buhay,” he shares.
His father’s source of income was selling peanuts before he got the scholarship. Now, both parents are selling "masi" – a rice cake with peanut butter filling. His parents, who only finished high school, were overjoyed to learn he got the scholarship.
Being a San Miguel Foundation scholar has been nothing short of life-changing for him. “Dati, sabi ko hindi ko na gusto magaral, kasi nagtrabaho na ako. Dahil dito nabago buhay ko.” The opportunity helped Mark renew his drive to finish college.
