Leaving her hometown for Zamboanga City wasn’t just a change of scenery for Cyril Ayog Pueblas, it was a heavy sacrifice. Her father was working himself to the bone as the sole provider, and Cyril knew that every peso spent on her education was a peso taken from their daily needs.
By her second year, Cyril was already juggling work as a student assistant just to stay afloat. But the real turning point came when she was accepted into the Real LIFE scholarship. For the first time, she didn’t have to choose between working and studying. She finally had the chance to just be a student.
The life of Cyril Pueblas in Zamboanga
But the real test didn’t happen inside the classroom. After she graduated and started working, life hit her family hard. Her father suffered a stroke, and her sister fell dangerously ill.
In an instant, the girl who was once struggling to pay for tuition became the woman holding her whole family together. Because she had her degree and a stable job, Cyril was able to bring her sister to the city for medical care, pay the hospital bills, and even fund her younger sister’s schooling.
A house built on resilience
Today, the hospital visits are over and the house she used to dream of is finally being built. Now happily married, Cyril and her husband are constructing their own home and setting up a small business space of their own.
Cyril’s journey is a beautiful reminder that when you support a scholar, you’re not just helping one person graduate. You’re giving a family a hero who will eventually lead them all to a better life.
How You Can Help
Cyril’s story is a testament to what happens when we invest in the dreams of our youth. But there are still many students in Zamboanga and across the Philippines waiting for their chance to finish school and lift their families out of poverty.
Be a Partner: You can choose to sponsor a scholar’s allowance or contribute to our educational fund.
Spread the Word: Share Cyril’s story with your friends or your company to help us reach more potential partners.
Give a Gift: Every donation, no matter the size, goes a long way in providing leadership training and character fees for our students.
