CEBU, Philippines - Clint John F. Oyao was so fascinated with Physics. He just couldn’t imagine himself pursuing any other course in college. Until he went through the screening for the scholarship program of Vicsal Foundation, Inc. (VFI), the outreach arm of the Super Metro store chain.
Like many young people, Clint John preferred a course that looked hip at the time or what friends probably influenced him to like. “It was preparatory to medical school,†he thought. Or, if not, he could just be a Physics teacher.
Coming from a poor family, he needed to consider his career choice very carefully. His mother was a plain office worker; his father sold home-baked delicacies. His parents combined income would not suffice to send all four of them siblings to school.
Clint John really needed help for his college education. He enlisted for the Vicsal Foundation college scholarship. Of the 500 scholarship applicants, the VFI Board of Directors initially picked 200, which was further trimmed down to 50. Home visits and background checks were then conducted, and the number of candidates went down to 25.
While the economic condition of the applicants was a big consideration, the program runs on a limited budget. Hence, the most deserving had to be chosen from among all the poor but bright children. It was not an easy process; every applicant deserved to be in the final list. The defining factor was the applicant’s potential for helping others after finishing an education.
His mother prayed hard for him to make it as a VFI scholar. She said the 100 percent free tuition, with a P3,000 initial allowance and P2,000 worth of monthly allowances would enable the boy to fully concentrate on his studies. And he had a chance to do summer work at Vicsal firms and earn the minimum wage.
Finally, the evaluation team concluded the list with only16 names. Clint John was in it. That was four years ago. Last March Clint John graduated Magna Cum Laude at the Benedicto College – B.S. Accountancy.
Back during the interview part of the screening for the VFI scholarship program, Clint John was enlightened that Accountancy was a more viable course to take than Physics. Of the 15 VFI scholars that bachelor’s degrees this year, 13 made it to the honor roll. One scholar finished an associate degree.
The other VFI scholars that graduated at Benedicto College are: Gurly John T. Monterde (BS in Information Technology), Kimberly S. Pitogo (BS Business Administration major in Marketing), and John Wel E. Urot (Bachelor of Elementary Education). Two others graduated Cum Laude. They are Niña Fatima Casia (Hospitality Management) and Dawn Ann A. Sanchez (Accountancy).
At the University of San Carlos, two of five scholars graduated Magna Cum Laude – Ana Marie P. Duay and Gerda S. Cañete (both BS Psychology); two are Cum Laude (Marnon Emmanuel B. Abundiente and Jeny-Vi G. Bartolome (both BS Management Accounting). The other is Jesus Jovannie John B. Burgos (Computer Science).
Meanwhile, three of those enrolled at the University of San Jose-Recoletos reaped a Cum Laude medal. They are Crizza Aim G. Abaiz and Lucille B. Intes (both Management Accounting), Edrian Samantha Mae Mañacap (Information Technology). Jenelle A. Agang (Magna Cum Laude, BS Psychology). Therese Marie G. Abendan took up Associate in Hospitality Management.
In the last three years, Vicsal Foundation has seen a rise in the number of scholars graduating with honors. This year, 90 percent of the scholars have made it either as Magna Cum Laude or Cum Laude.
The VFI scholarship program is a gesture of paying back to the communities where Vicsal Development Corporation operates. It aims to empower underprivileged members of society to become productive through education and be an asset to the community. (FREEMAN)