Palawan youth receive Citinickel scholarships

MANILA, Philippines - Education is a big issue in this country, especially when talking about students being able to attend and finish school. Students in provinces or far-flung areas of the country have few chances of getting an education, because of all the expenses involved.

Citinickel Mines and Development Corp. has chosen 24 students to receive scholarships to study the courses they want in any colleges, universities, or vocational schools within Palawan so that they can secure their future success. Ana Pia Espartero, Jerald Bagnate, Jeliza Limco, Sally Faye Hisona, Marbelson Anonat, Lawrence Bacaron, Beverly Adlima, and Joefe Jofel Aguirre (in photo) are eight of the 24 scholars of Citinickel.

When students heard about the scholarship being offered, many have applied. Twenty-four of those who applied were granted the scholarship given that they did not have any failing marks. This made it a little easier for the students rather than having a benchmark grade to reach. The scholarship was not only offered to incoming first year students but to students in all years of college.

The potential and the drive to succeed can be felt from these students when they talk about their heroes or the person they look up to. The families of the students serve as their inspiration and strength. They have seen their mothers and fathers work hard to realize the dream of having all their children finish their studies. The students have also seen their older brothers and sisters striving hard to finish their studies, even working while studying just to support themselves and not become a burden to their parents.

These students are conjuring big dreams and even bigger ambitions as some of them have expressed their wish of moving away from the island to go to the city or to go to another country after finishing their studies. However, their purpose is to merely get work experience in their respective fields and then return to Palawan. These students wish to, in their own small ways, use what they have learned to give back to their hometown.