The Davao City government has lauded its 33 educational grantees of the Scholarship on Tertiary Education Program (STEP) for completing their college education with the highest honors, two of them graduated Summa Cum Laude.
Educational Benefit System Unit (EBSU) Technical Assistant Emilio Domingo Jr., in an interview with the City Information Office (CIO), said that this is the first time that the city government produced scholars who graduated with the highest Latin Honor.
“Nalipay ta kay first time siya nga naay nahimong Summa Cum Laude (We are happy because this is the first time that we have Summa Cum Laude),” Domingo said, noting that For the 2021-2022 school year, the city government’s scholarship programs have two (2) Summa Cum Laude, ten (10) Magna Cum Laude, and 21 Cum Laude.
“Kini palang ang numbers nga nag manifest na naay Latin Honor as of today – June 28 (These are just the initial number of students who manifested that they have Latin Honor as of today – June 28),” Domingo said.
Domingo said that the scholars’ success sparks hope for each and every scholar to excel in their studies.
“Ma-encourage gyud ang ubang scholar na maningkamot pa gyud kay kaya man gyud nila kung gustohon nila (The other scholars will be encouraged to do their best because they really can do it if they set their mind to it),” he said.
The two students who earned Summa Cum Laude honors and confirmed their academic standing to EBSU graduated from the Holy Cross College of Calinan. They are Mr. Joeville Royce A. Barato, a graduate of Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Social Studies, and Ms. Kimberly B. Diapana, a graduate of Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in English.
“Dako kaayong tabang ang EBSU Step sa akoang pag-eskwela to finance my college years, dako kaayo ang akoang pasalamat sa City Government of Davao because it did not really stop in empowering students like me na kadtong bisag nag lisud sa kinabuhi kay gihatagan gihapon nila og opportunity to ignite the “pangandoy” of their life (The EBSU Step really helped a lot to finance my college years. A big thanks to City Government of Davao because it did not really stop empowering students like me and that those who are having financial difficulties are given opportunity to ignite their life’s dream),” he said.
Barato, who is a student leader of their school has to do many jobs such as tutoring, hosting, and content writing to help his parents to finish his college education on top of the financial assistance given by the city.
Barato said that among the things one should remember “Sa tanang pagpaningkamot, dili gyud buta ug bungol ang Ginoo (God is not blind and deaf to all our efforts).
Diapana, on the other hand, said that the scholarship helped her to focus more on her studies without having to worry about tuition.
“Dako gyud kaayo ug tabang ang EBSU Step sa akoa no, lahi ra gyud nang when you have your exams tomorrow wala nakay huna hunaon na financial responsibilities ba, ang imoha nalang huna-hunaon kay mag study ka for you to be able to answer the exam ( I am really thankful for the help of the EBSU Step because it is a different experience when you do not worry about financial responsibilities during your exams the next day. You only need to study to answer the exam),” Diapana said, admitting that she really had the opportunity to enjoy her college years because of EBSU.
“EBSU Step is very welcoming for all of us and very palangga kaayo mi sa EBSU nga aside sa subsidy meron din mga year-end na pahalipay from mayor. To the EBSU-STEP especially to the City Government of Davao daghan kaayong salamat gyud sa ilahang suporta ug ang ilang tabang para sa mga scholars (EBSU is very welcoming to all of us. We are well loved that aside from the subsidy we also receive year-end pahalipay from Mayor. To the EBSU-STEP, especially to the City Government of Davao, thank you for all your support and help to the scholars),” Diapana said.
The stories of success of these graduates will be aired in Byaheng Do30 soon. CIO
