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Life lessons molded DOST scholars in Caraga to graduate with high honors

Tuesday, April 25, 2017 01:46 AM    Views : 1475by:Gabrielle Espinosa, DOST- CARAGA
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Honor, humility and confidence— these are the three words that mark the seven magna cum laude and 10 cum laude scholars of the Department of Science and Technology them as they proudly marched on stage to receive their diplomas, awards, and medals in separate commencement exercises at the Philippine Normal University (PNU) Mindanao, Surigao State College of Technology (SSCT), and Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology (ASSCAT) in the Caraga region.

More than just financial assistance

The scholars from PNU Mindanao shared their experiences on how the DOST scholarship helped them achieve amidst their individual stories of struggle and survival as they juggled academic life, family, and even jobs.

Marinelle Ramos, magna cum laude, revealed unassumingly that the DOST scholarship gave her a sense of fulfillment and purpose. "Being a DOST scholar is a great privilege since it did not only help us financially but also personally," said Marinelle. The president of the DOST Scholars Society, Marinelle acknowledged that her position "taught me to govern the group, coordinated with high ranking officials, and boosted my self-confidence."

Aside from the confidence boost, Marinelle admits that the financial assistance of the DOST Scholarship also her to become thrifty and develop a sense of humility.

"That time (when I was a scholar), my family could not afford to pay the tuition of my sister who was studying in medical school. Having that amount of money (from the DOST scholarship) helped my family to get through. I was not forced by my parents but it (the scholarship) taught me to prioritize my needs and use my money responsibly instead of spending it on leisure activities," she shared.

This was also true for Kimberly Besas and Fevwileane Padalapat, both graduated cum laude, who served as bread winners of their family all throughout their college life.

"I am so thankful that I became a scholar. The DOST scholarship not only changed me but it also moved my parents to change their habits on arguing over money when they saw me taking over the family's finances. They saw me writing a long list of expenses and felt how I managed our situation. They witnessed how I was able to balance my academic and financial responsibilities. Over time, I became the family's inspiration," Fevwileane explained.

"My mom and dad are separated. My mom migrated to Manila and my dad has another family to feed," disclosed Kimberly. "Being the eldest, I have been through many jobs just to provide the basic needs of my six younger siblings. The DOST scholarship eased the burden, it was not just for me but for my whole family," Kimberly added.

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Kimberly Besas, cum laude, from PNU Mindanao, recalls her experience as a working student and breadwinner of the family.

DOST scholarship empowers

The scholars also shared stories of personal transformation, of how being a scholar changed their mindset in life.  For example, Arnold Abadiano, magna cum laude, developed his interest in research through the DOST scholarship.

"There is a pressure in me because my boss was also a DOST scholar in both her undergraduate and graduate programs. Thus, I have only Sundays to relax," he revealed.

"I'm glad that as a DOST scholar, I was able to help and serve not just the university but also (in promoting research) by being a contributor in developing research in our institution. An educator's role does not end in passing knowledge to students. He/She has to expand the knowledge through research to improve curricular programs in universities on the countryside," Arnold explains.

Similarly, like how Arnold developed his passion for research, Chris John Cagas, another DOST scholar, also developed passion in his course after passing the DOST scholarship.

"It is unusual how an easy-go-lucky person like me, who is not an academic striver, received one of the most prestigious scholarships nationwide. At first, it felt like I didn't belong in this circle of excellent students. But after I became scholar, I become conscious of my demeanor. Every time I hang out with my friends, I remind myself that I am not just an ordinary scholar but a DOST scholar, and it's something worth holding up," he said.

"Through the scholarship, I am reminded of how education can transform someone like me. I don't just want to teach my students the information, I want to cultivate their passion in education like how I have developed mine," Chris John explained.

This was also the case of Marion Jane Montilla, a scholar who is a teenage mother. She dropped out of school after discovering her pregnancy. However, she was able to gather up the courage to reenroll and apply for the scholarship.

"My life as a student is full of regrets. I went through so many courses in different universities and finally settled at PNU. But I became pregnant right after getting admitted. Depression hit me for a year but I didn't give up, I still sought the positive side of my situation and enrolled again after giving birth.  I did not even expect to become a DOST scholar. The idea of being the scholar pushed me to do more in my life, to not settle for less. Now, I can see myself as an inspiration to other students to work hard and not settle with mediocrity," said Marion.

Molding science and technology leaders

Since its implementation in 1994, the Department of Science and Technology scholarship program has benefited talented and deserving students whose families cannot afford college education. The program has produced thousands of undergraduates who excelled in the fields of science and technology in the country.

In Caraga, a total of 42 undergraduate DOST scholars from PNU Mindanano, ASSCAT, SSCT, Caraga State University, Father Saturnino Urios University, and Surigao del Sur State University will graduate as class 2017. The graduates received their scholarships under the R.A. 10612 and R.A. 7687, or otherwise known as the Junior Level Science Scholarship Program and the Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994.

According to Meriam Bouquia, scholarship coordinator in Caraga, the admission exam for the undergraduate scholarships for 2018 will be on the 4th quarter of the year.  (By Gabrielle Espinosa, DOST- Caraga)

S & T Trivia

" Besides inventing the banana vinegar, Maria Carlita Rex-Doran also produced an ampalaya (bittermelon) concoction for diabetes mellitus and HIV infection. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) conferred on her the Gold Medal in 1989, four years after another Filipina inventor, Olympia Gonzales, achieved the same award. "

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