DAISY MANGAHAS BALERITE
Our Lady of Fatima University – Antipolo
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
Magna Cum Laude
“Sometimes miracles happen because of good people with kind and wonderful hearts”
I just want to say that I am sincerely honored to have been selected as one of the recipients of your scholarship (SGSFI) way back in September 2019. I want to extend my deepest sincerity to say thank you for your generosity which has allowed me to continue my studies. Through the use of your kind heart, you really helped me to sustain my needs as a student most especially in terms of the financial needs. The journey of being a college student is not that easy, but through this scholarship everything has changed.
As I complete my education at Our Lady of Fatima University, I am very thankful that I became part of this scholarship. As I walked to the stage receiving my Latin honor awards, I know that behind this success that I have, it is you who really helped me and it is you that never fails to support me and the students who are in need just like me. I am truly beyond thankful and grateful to be part of SGS Scholarship. No words can explain how thankful I am up until now because of things that you did for me.
Thank you for your kind hearts, I pray that our Lord God will bless you even more because of your good deeds to others.
JHENNEATH G. BROCE
Philippine Normal University – Visayas
Bachelor in Social Science Education
Magna Cum Laude
“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it.” – The Alchemist, Paolo Coelho.
I was in Grade 11 when I happened to read this book by Paolo Coelho. Upon reading, I was struck by this very line. It made me pause and ponder for a moment because there was a time in my life that I felt stuck. I don’t know if I could still continue to move forward because of the situation of our family.
My mother has been a laundry woman ever since I was in elementary school. My father was a pedicab driver, and he died when I was only 13 years old. Back then, my mother was only earning a maximum of Php500 per week and I know for a fact that it is not enough to suffice our daily needs, it is not enough to pay my school fees/requirements, and provide for my allowance on a daily basis. Because of our family situation, it came to a point that I am slowly losing hope. I started to accept that I will never be able to graduate high school nor be able to study in college. I felt so confused and defeated. I have already envisioned my future and I want to be the one to break the chains that bound my family in poverty. I didn’t want to give up on my dreams, so I clung into a sliver of hope that one day, God will hear my prayers and will make miracles for me. And God answered my prayers by making my aunt my motivation that made me as to who and where I am right now.
When my aunt offered that she would be the one to send me in high school, I admit I was hesitant because I have known her bad attitudes. But then, my dreams matter the most to me more than anything, so I endured all those verbal abuses and belittlement for the sake of my dreams and family. I studied really hard, all while battling the emotional trauma she had caused me. Long story short, by the grace of God, I was able to graduate Senior High School as the class valedictorian.
When college came, I had only one thing in mind – “I have to get out of her house.” Hence, I don’t mind where God will lead me as long as I won’t be coming back to my aunt’s house, so I took a risk and went to Cadiz City and took the entrance exam at PNU. I am so happy for mustering the courage to take this step because this is when and where my life started to change. And a great part of this change is because of the SGS Foundation. Words are not enough to express my deepest and sincerest gratitude to Doc Lily, Ma’am Juliet, and of course to Sir Vitug for being my backbone all throughout my college years. Being one of your scholars is a great help for me because it allowed me to become independent and learn to stand up on my own, at the same time ease my family’s financial burdens. I was able to graduate on time and with flying colors because of your generosity. I will be forever humbled and honored to be one of your scholars. Rest assured that your kindness and generosity will be paid forward. Thank you very much and I pray that God continues to bless you and your foundation so that you can continue to help more and more students, just like me, to be able to reach their dreams.
EDCEL MARIE A. COSE
Philippine Normal University – Visayas
Bachelor in Mathematics and Science Elementary Education
Magna Cum Laude
Thank you so much SGS Foundation for making me one of your scholars. I am so grateful for the opportunity you gave me. This has been a great help for me and to my family to get through college with your help financially. It helped me in all ways, in my daily allowances, food allowances, fairs, and other educational trips required by the teacher as it is part of the course. It also helped me get through the pandemic since there was no income that comes in the family. It helped me to buy my own cell phone which I used during my online classes. My family, my mama and me, have been struggling financially even before the pandemic hits. My mama only sells cosmetics and stuff for our daily living. As a child who came from a broken family and had a mother who underwent an operation that prohibited her from doing heavy work, it was difficult for me to get through daily struggles. Before the pandemic, I became a Grade 2 private tutor at night, every after class with a salary of Php1,000.00 per month. It was not a lot but I still continued so I can still support myself and at least give a little help in our daily expenses. I was and still so grateful up until now because that huge amount of money helped me. It made me able to not worry about my educational needs since I have been saving it for greater purposes for my education, graduation fees and needs, review center, and of course for my licensure examination. Thank you so much SGS Foundation for the opportunity.