S.Y. 2016-2017, Bachelor of Science in Accounting Technology

I can still remember when my father told me they won’t be able to support my studies anymore. But with a young brave heart that was full of dreams and faith, I did not allow my family's situation to hinder me from reaching my dreams of finishing my studies and becoming a college degree holder. I worked hard to have high grades, and I applied for scholarships until I became a Real LIFE scholar.

S.Y. 2017-2018, Bachelor of Science in Information Management - Airline Operation

When I was in kindergarten, I won in a coloring contest. I waited for my mother at the awarding ceremony, but only my aunt arrived, crying. I was not aware that as I waited for my mom, she was fighting for her life. At the age of 30, she died that day, leaving behind three children aged two, five, and seven. A week after my mother’s death, my father left us, taking away with him all my mother’s savings and insurance benefits.

S.Y. 2013-2014, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology

I still vividly remember when my father told me, “o, itong P2,000, ipamasahe mo pa-Maynila. Magtrabaho ka. Ayusin mo ‘yang buhay mo. ‘Wag mo kaming alalahanin dito. Pangarap mo ang unahin mo.” (“Use this P2,000 to go to Manila. Work there and get a better life. Don’t worry about us here. Put your dreams first.”) My father sold the only pig we had for P2,000 to send me to Manila.

S.Y. 2017-2018, Bachelor of Secondary Education - English

I found myself ashamed of bringing my friends to our house since we live in a squatters’ area. I often said no to many hangouts because I could not afford to travel from a friend's house to go home, shrinking my group of friends to a handful of closest ones.

S.Y. 2017-2018, BA Communication Arts

I experienced working every summer vacation as a pharmacy aid in Laguna and as a dishwasher for me to earn for my school allowance.  I also offered tutorials for my classmates in return for a snack or a cup of noodles.

S.Y. 2015-2016, BS Hotel & Restaurant Management

Growing up, I knew how to be content with whatever my parents could put on the table.  I learned how to be resourceful as well because in the province, whenever I'm hungry, I would just look for some trees to climb that I think are not owned by anyone then I’d have something to eat.

S.Y. 2013-2014, BS Elementary Education

It was 2012 when Pastor Paul Herrera introduced the Real LIFE scholarship to me.  It was also the same year when my father died. He was a pedicab driver and was the one sending me to school.

S.Y. 2017-2018, BS Agribusiness

Growing up, our family didn’t prepare anything on the table for Christmas because we had no money for it.

S.Y. 2015-2016, BS Office Management

I always felt there was something missing in my life until I became a Real Life scholar and encountered Christ.