An opportunity for a brighter future

MANILA, Philippines - In Tondo, Manila, some Chinese-Filipino students don’t go to school driving their own cars or carrying the latest gadgets. They don’t even look forward to inheriting a successful family business.

These Tsinoy students come from mostly low-income families. Their parents barely make ends meet selling different goods in Binondo and Divisoria or doing odd jobs. Providing for a college education is something that they have to work hard and save for.

Yet this school year, 10 of these students will have the chance to study at the Chiang Kai Shek College (CKSC), with some help from the PSBank Educational Assistance Program.

The program, which started in 2008, provides P200,000 worth of scholarship grants every year to 10 underprivileged but deserving students in the Chinese community. The scholars are also invited for on-the-job training at PSBank and are given priority hiring status.

This year, the program was renewed through a memorandum of agreement and presentation of the 2011-2012 scholars, namely: Kathrinna Palo, Mikee de Leon, Jennica Ong, Charmaine Anne Chi, Cheene Lee, Princess Sia, Katrina Tee, Jessica Lhay Asaña, Sarah Kristine de Asis and Mary Grace Khu. They were chosen based on their family income, academic standing and good character.

In her welcome remarks, CKSC president Dr. Bee Ching Ong Kian Koc encouraged the scholars to take advantage of the free college education. “A great opportunity comes once in a lifetime and today marks the beginning of that great opportunity for you.”