I was so happy graduating from high school. I felt that I was closer to my dream of finding a job to help my family with the expenses and eventually give them a better life. As I thought of going to college, it occurred to me that we didn’t have much to support my education. Both my parents work in the rice field, and most of my sisters already have their own families to support. It was very scary to think about the future of not having been able to finish college when education is one of the most credible keys to a brighter future.
As being less fortunate almost diminished my hopes and dreams, there were people who made my dark clouds go away. One of my teachers and the school principal endorsed me as an applicant for a scholarship grant. I took the exam and I passed.
The Francis Padua Papica Foundation, Inc. (FPPFI) is a non-profit, public benefit corporation started in 1997 by Francis Padua Papica to encourage and acknowledge the outstanding individual achievements of young Filipino men and women.
The foundation hopes to educate and empower the Filipino youth to strengthen our nation through community service. Accordingly, it is guided by three principles: Leadership, scholarship and community service as its stated vision.
Having personally known the philanthropist behind the foundation is a great honor. Attorney Francis, or Daddy as I fondly address him is like my second father. He is a fellow Bicolano. He has been a blessing to me, and people like me who needed a ladder to step on to achieve our goals in life.
The FPPFI is now on its 14th year. This is also the foundation’s ninth year of giving scholarships to the less fortunate youth like me. I was just a regular student sitting in a convention and waiting to get a scholarship. Now I was one of the speakers. We distributed books in different public schools in Camarines Sur, my province. One of the foundation’s aims is to promote the importance of reading. The charity will also be selecting another set of scholars this year. You can visit the www.PapicaFoundation.com for more information about FPPFI.
I will always be thankful to attorney Francis. The education that he helped me earn is a very important weapon against poverty. It is one thing that I had with me in every beauty pageant I joined and it will be with me in any other future venture.
Speaking before students gives me a sense of purpose. While the foundation has its aims, I also seek to inspire other youth to pursue their dreams and excel in their studies so they can help themselves, their families and the nation.
In events like this, I am just very thankful that there are people who help the youth and sacrifice to give the needy a brighter future.