Scholarship expanded as schools start w/ SHS
Awarding. Grade 7 scholar James Kobe C. Barnigo of barangay Tonggo and his father receive the scholarship grant from TCPI president Satoshi Asami and senior vice presidents Kazuhiko Ichizawa, Takashi Miyashita and Yasuhiro Yamamoto.
Scholars increase to 72 with the start of K-12
SAN FERNANDO, Cebu (June 18, 2016) — Taiheiyo Cement Philippines, Inc. (TCPI) has expanded its scholarship program, increasing the number of beneficiaries from 62 to 72 as schools in the country started to implement the K-to-12 basic education program.
TCPI with its materials supplier Solid Earth Development Corp. (SEDC) opted to continue to sponsor the schooling of those who have moved up from Grade 10 to Grade 11 in senior high school (SHS) this school year until they finish Grade 12.
“It is our commitment to see through the complete education of our scholars,” declared Satoshi Asami, TCPI president and CEO.
As this developed, the two allied companies started to expand the number of secondary level scholars per batch from 12, representing their 12 stakeholder barangays, to 13 starting with the current Grade 7 batch with the inclusion now of Barangay Tubod.
The earlier batch of high school scholars from Grades 8 to 11 represent the barangays of Basak, Bugho, Cabatbatan, Ilaya, Magsico, North Poblacion, Panadtaran, South Poblacion, Tabionan, Tañañas, Tinubdan, and Tongo.
Awarding. Grade 7 scholar Carl Vincent C. Catulong of barangay Panadtaran with his mother receive the scholarship grant from TCPI president Satoshi Asami and senior vice presidents Kazuhiko Ichizawa, Takashi Miyashita and Yasuhiro Yamamoto.
Absorbed
The scholarship program also continues to maintain the remaining 11 college scholars following the graduation last March of three of them who TCPI absorbed as new employees, according to Mitzie Almira I. Carin, who handles the scholars.
The three are Cristy C. Paypa and Karen Dave G. Mamugay, who finished BS Management Accounting at the University of San Jose Recoletos (USJR); and Gabriel V. Canque who graduated as Mechanical Engineer.
Pursued under the joint Social Development Management Program (SDMP) of TCPI and SEDC, the program will resume sponsoring college scholars when universities start to accept freshmen again by June 2018, added Carin, the SDMP manager.
The two companies feted today the three hired college graduates, recognized the top performers in junior high school (JHS) during school year 2015-2016, and awarded the scholarship certificates to the 13 new Grade 7 scholars.
The TCPI CEO personally handed the scholarship grants and the awards with SEDC director Hiroyuki Sakakibara and TCPI senior vice presidents (SVP) Kazuhiko Ichizawa, Takashi Miyashita and Yasuhiro Yamamoto.
Municipal, barangay and school officials and the scholars’ parents witnessed the ceremonies, the twelfth since the program started in 2005, at the multi-purpose recreation center of the TCPI plant in South Poblacion.
Encouragement. Executives inspire the scholars during the program. They are (from left) TCPI CEO Satoshi Asami, plant manager Kazuhiko Ichizawa, and SEDC director Hiroyuki Sakakibara.
Economic value
In his message, Asami underscored that “education is the foundation to build a better future. (It is important) for its economic value and in nation-building.”
“Study hard, please, be ambitious and head on to your dream,” Ichizawa, also the TCPI plant manager, urged the scholars in his opening message, pointing out to them that “you are the treasure of your family, the hope of your barangay, the asset of your nation.”
Sakakibara, also the chief technical adviser of SEDC, told the scholars that “hardships come along the way (and that) challenges, trials and failures are facts of life.”
But he added that such “should not hamper you from picking up the pieces and start again. You should not feel bad if you fail. Instead, you should welcome it as an opportunity to begin something again more wisely.”
In response, Christine B. Villarias, a Grade 9 first honoree now in Grade 10, acknowledged the scholars’ “support network,” including TCPI, SEDC, the partner schools, barangay leaders, their parents, the rest of their families, and God.
She also reminded her fellow scholars that “the road to success is always under construction.”
Challenge. South Poblacion official Pat Esbra (extreme left) challenges the scholars that their leaders (center) — Grade 10 Christine B. Villarias and college junior Rodrigo S. Jerosalem — gladly accepted. College graduate and TCPI-hired Karen Dave Mamugay (extreme right) expresses her gratitude to TCPI and SEDC for supporting them.
‘Never give up’
BS Computer Engineering junior Rodrigo Saronio Jerosalem of Balud said they are “obliged to have high grades and to graduate with honors” because their privilege as scholars is “one in a million, an opportunity that is making us achieve our dreams.”
Now a mechanical engineer, Canque shared that he managed to focus with his studies through college as he did not have to worry about tuition fees and other educational expenses because of the scholarship he had.
Hired by TCPI in a job he had all wanted, he quipped on Confucius who once said, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
Also hired by TCPI as a customer service attendant, Mamugay advised the scholars to “never give up” when faced by challenges in their studies.
“It doesn’t matter how many times you fall down (for) as long as you know how to get up and move forward,” she said as she reminded them that “life is a matter of choice. Every decision you make (determines) the course of your future.”
Evaniza Genilla, parent of Grade 11 scholar Rhea Mae of Cabatbatan, praised the heavens as TCPI and SEDC extended the scholarship program to SHS even if her daughter chose a school outside San Fernando.
Dr. Imelda V. Canoy, principal of Sangat NHS, encouraged the parents to “have the will and perseverance (for) the children to have the motivation to strive for excellence.”
Awarding. Grade 7 scholar Luigi S. Bacalso of barangay Tubod and his mother receive the scholarship grant from TCPI president Satoshi Asami and senior vice presidents Kazuhiko Ichizawa, Takashi Miyashita and Yasuhiro Yamamoto.
12th batch
Batch 2016 of new Grade 7 scholars included Hazel Mae P. Canoy of Basak, Peach Marjove C. Oacan of Bugho, Katrine Faith G. Erguera of Cabatbatan, VJ C. Salazar of Ilaya, Mary D. Barago of Magsico, and Hanamichi S. Brady of North Poblacion.
Carl Vincent C. Catulong of Panadtaran, Janna Caryl A. Bayal of South Poblacion, Jamaica T. Generalao of Tabionan, Grace S. Embolode of Tañañas, Cindy A. Dedicatoria of Tinubdan, James Kobe C. Barnigo of Tongo and Luigi S. Bacalso of Tubod comprise the rest who are expected to graduate from SHS in 2022.
Meanwhile, the first honorees included two from Grade 10 who are now in Grade 11, Divine May G. Pegarido of Magsico National High School (NHS) and Karla T. Castillo of Notre Dame Academy (NDA).
Three came from Grade 9 now in Grade 10. They are Villarias of NDA, Crystal Ann I. Bontilao of Balud NHS and Maria Montessa C. Barnigo of Sangat NHS.
There were also three from Grade 8 now in Grade 9, namely: Jienesa A. Canoy of Balud NHS, Lachsme P. Generalao of Magsico NHS, and Gladize S. Embolode of NDA.
Grade 7 had four honorees who included Jemuel V. Basco of Balud NHS, Kristel Joy G. Pegarido of Magsico NHS, Denice May L. Abella of San Fernando NHS, and Lanie B. Lazo of Sangat NHS. They are now in Grade 8.
College
With the K-12 implementation, there are no new college scholars.
But the SDMP team hopes to see the completion this school year of Juana Panilagan of Cabatbatan, who took BS Accountancy at USJR, and Deniel Jireh Corpuz of North Poblacion who took BS Mining Engineering at CIT University.
In their fourth year are Johanna A. Sacal and Rhendi G. Catulpos, both of Pitalo and studying at USJR, respectively taking up BS Education (Major in English) and BS Mechanical Engineering; and Mary Luchille G. Lapuz of Greenhills, who took BS Mining Engineering at CIT-U.
Now in their third year, all enrolled at USJR, are Jerosalem; former high school scholar Ted Frances C. Servano of South Poblacion, BA Communication; and Lyxen Marcos Fano of Greenhills, BS Accountancy.
Already sophomores at USJR are Nicolino C. Tangente and Jelo A. Pabular of Tubod, both taking up BS Electrical Engineering, and Ma. Lonie P. Redoble of Panadtaran, who took BS Accountancy.
TCPI and SEDC started the secondary scholarship program in 2005, then expanded to the tertiary level by 2009. The high school scholars in every batch represent their stakeholder barangays, while the college scholars are chosen at large.
Both companies answer the cost of tuition, basic educational expenses and daily schooling needs, according to Vanessa N. Bongcawil, community relations officer of TCPI.
72 Scholars. TCPI and SEDC offcials pose with their 72 scholars and partner school heads.
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