They now look differently, with passion, and full of determination to reach their goal- that is, to finish their studies.
Indeed, they are the hope of our nation and they are the scholars of the Students Grant-In Aid for Poverty Alleviation (SGP-PA) of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
During the two-day seminar on Teenage Pregnancy last February 25-26, 2013 at CAWACSI, San Jose, Tacloban City, a new and distinct impression this group of scholars as Pantawid Pamilya Program to avail the SGP-PA grantees. The scholarship is instituted by the Commission on Higher Education in partnership with the DSWD as a long term instrument and commitment to break the vicious poverty cycle afflicting the poor.
The Pantawid Pamilya Regional Program Coordinator, Marichu Bustillos, commented with amusement on how these 122 scholars from different municipalities of the region, who are enrolled at the Leyte Normal University were transformed. It is, then, to note that the positive change was influenced by their new environment. “Malamrag na iyo mga nawong,” (Your faces have become brighter), she uttered with glee by showing a smile to the energetic participants during the fellowship night on the last day of the seminar, which made most of them giggle.
The Scholars Testimonials
According to Gilbert Galit, 24, a scholar from San Roque, Northern Samar- it is but a reflection of what they feel and he calls it happiness. Gilbert never thought he could still go back to school after six years of being an out-of-school youth. Being the eldest of six siblings, Gilbert stopped studying in the year 2006 because of lack of financial support. He worked as salesperson in a mini grocery in the nearby municipality of Pambujan Northern Samar. Gilbert expressed his thoughts of being in the program by saying -“Free education na, may monthly allowance pa. And we are in good hands pa!”
But his captive testimony was “Humataas an akon dreams by the moment nga nahi-api ako hini nga scholarship.” (My dreams have soared high by the moment I was included in this scholarship.) He explained this by telling that in the past six years, his dream was just to help sustain the needs of his family by giving half of his salary to his parents. His mother is a housewife and his father is a fisherman. He works hard, gets the pay, and hands it to his parents.
Gilbert dramatically described it as a struggle rotating in a small circular pattern. “I just realized that I should get out from that small circle, so, I decided to go to Manila that time. It was a month prior to the notice that I am included in the program as potential scholar for the SGP-PA. Tinawagan po ako sa Manila, sabi ko sa sarili ko, makakalabas na ako sa maliit na circle na yun. Kaya parang mas nangarap pa ako ng mataas this time para sa sarili ko at para mas matululungan ko pa ang pamilya ko.” [They (parents) called me up while I was in Manila, I told myself then that I will be able to get out of that small circle then. That is why I dreamed higher this time for myself and to help my family as well.]
Gilbert is the president of the LNU SGP-PA scholars. These scholars formed the organization for them to have a point person, in times when they need concerns to be addressed by the administration.
While, Betsy Rubas of Sta. Rita, Samar shared that SGP-PA is really for the less fortunate. She added, “This scholarship has become a stepping stone of the less fortunate ones. From this program of the DSWD,I realized that – diri la an may kwarta an puyde makatamak ha college (It’s not only the ones who have money who could step college).
“Damu nga pasalamat namon ha gobyerno nga natagan kami hini nga higayon. Actually po ginbubuhat man talaga han gobyerno nga mahatag an mga sugad hini ha nanginginahanglan, kaso la iba iba man gud batasan han tawo. An iba nadiri pag sakripisyo, pero kita man gud ngatanan kinahanglan may sakripisyo kon mayda naton gusto maabot.” (A big thanks to the government for giving us this kind of opportunity. Actually, the government is doing everything just to provide this kind of things to the needy, but then people really have different attitudes. Others don’t even want to sacrifice, but then we must know that we all need to sacrifice to reach our goals.)
Gilbert and Betsy shared that most of them have a common realization how important it is to prioritize their studies. According to them, one must have the right attitude to follow his or her dream. They have spoken for themselves, and are still hoping that they would continuously avail the scholarship till they will be able to stand on their own in helping their families.
It was the first seminar conducted by the DSWD with the SGP-PA scholars, since they started schooling at the Leyte Normal University, for school year 2013-2014. With the high energy level they have, they still look forward to more to seminars to learn more, especially on DSWD programs.