Some Scholars’ Change Stories

Fulfilled Aspirations

This 2017, six alumni scholars recently passed the licensure exams. Last August, 4th engineer Allyson Agustin, from Banaue, Ifugao province passed the 2nd Marine engineering licensure examination. Ernie John Ibo, from Cebu, Khamim Ilupa from Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte, and John Kevin Salcedo, from Pili, Camarines Sur, passed the Officer-in-Charge of a Navigational Watch (OIC-NW) licensure exam. Joemar Nacorda , also from Cebu, who recently graduated cum laude in University of Cebu, passed the Officer-in-Charge of an Engineering Watch (OIC-EW) licensure exam.

In September, Tina Rose Sapia-an, from Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, passed the Licensure Examination for Foresters. Just recently, on October 6, Arvie Rose Habay-Habay, from Silang, Cavite passed the Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering licensure examination.

05 Arvie Rose Habay HabayArvie Rose Habay Habay, Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering exam passer

06 Joemar NacordaJoemar Nacorda graduated cum laude in University of Cebu on October 19

Last October, two female scholars, Judith Barrameda, from San Simon, Pampanga and Janice Monteroso from Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, passed the Licensure Exam for Teachers (LET) for Secondary Level.

Changing Lives

One graduate scholar is a former out-of-school youth and worked as a house helper before she was awarded the scholarship grant. She recently graduated with a degree in education. “I am very lucky and grateful as TPEF provided all my needs to study in college, thank you for this wonderful blessing” she said.

One scholar helped his family by doing construction job before he was awarded the college scholarship. To support his studies, at weekends, using a borrowed cart bike, he worked as nangangalakal, buying all sorts of junk—used bottles, papers, cans—from his neighbors and selling them to a junk shop. Now, after his first contract as an ordinary seafarer, he sends his sister to college in a state university. He bought a motorcycle, for his family’s service transportation, since his community is far from the town proper. He improved their once-dilapidated house, and invested in other economic activities to add to the family’s income.

07 Scholars' outreachScholars improve a day care center in Rizal during their community outreach effort held every year.

Scholars, every year, since 2013 when they started to participate in learning summits, initiate community outreach projects in selected poor area. They renovate a day care classroom, paint it with artworks, and provide learning materials for the school children. The project funds were collected from their individual contribution and solicitation from other people. The outreach is becoming a common practice now among the scholars. They also do volunteer work in TPEF’s development efforts in hard-to-reach schools.

The TPEF’s efforts not only change the scholar’s life but also other people’s, hoping to contribute in breaking the cycle of poverty prevalent in rural communities.