4 Cebuanos bag scholarship grants from Korean group

CEBU, Philippines — Four Cebuanos made it to the final cut and got scholarship grants from the Korean Philippine Festival Cultural Exchange Association (KPFCEA).

The four Cebuanos are Earl Marie Regulacion and Brirthny Jocotmaya of the University of Cebu-Banilad campus;  Mera Flor Camajalan of the Cebu Technological University-Argao campus,  and Mery Neithel Alvez of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation.

More than 40 students all over the country were able to submit their requirements on time, but there were also more students who wanted to avail of the grant but missed the deadline.

Only students who are taking up any tourism, performing arts, or culture-related courses are qualified to apply for the grant.

Applicants had to submit their grades in the previous semester, a certification from their schools, and an endorsement from a KPFCEA member along with an essay.

The top 16 were interviewed via Zoom by five Korean and two Filipino judges, including Ricky Ballesteros.

“This is our second year, the Korean members of the KPFCEA raised funds to give scholarships grants to poor but deserving Filipino students,” said Ballesteros, co-chairman of the said association.

Ballesteros’ co-chairperson is Dr. Junghwan Kim.

Last year, no Cebuano qualified for the grant.

So, Ballesteros was ecstatic to know that four Cebuanos made it this year.

Aside from raising funds for the scholarship grants, KPFCEA also raised earlier an undisclosed amount of funds donated to the Typhoon Odette victims.  Recipients were residents from Cebu City, Alegria, Cebu, La Castellana, and Sipalay, Negros Occidental.

The KPFCEA also conducts monthly academic seminars featuring festivals, tourism, culture, and arts from the Philippines and South Korea.

Festivals that were featured already in the previous seminars include the Sinulog, Masskara, Dinagyang, Ati-Atihan, Panagbenga, Hinulawan sa Toledo, Pasigarbo sa Sugbo, Tuna Festival, Manggahan Festival, among others.

The seminars were attended by tourism officers, festival organizers, professors, tourism students, local government officials and others.

“The objective of this is to strengthen ties and promote better understanding between Korea and the Philippines through culture, arts and tourism. It's good to note also that the number one tourists now in Cebu and the Philippines are Koreans. Cebu is a very popular destination (among) Koreans,” said Ballesteros. — GAN (FREEMAN)