Maulion: Scholarship Cepalco way

CAGAYAN Electric Power and Light Company (Cepalco) is not only lighting our homes but figuratively, also igniting the spark of some talented and deserving students from its consumers.

Thus, it secures the radiance that the future holds from these promising scholars polishing and exploring whatever unruffled diamonds they get within hopefully sparkling too spreading the dazzling light far and wide in whatever services they could later offer to the community of course, benefiting the entire country after their graduation. That, definitely, is one for the books. May their tribe increase.

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I don’t know when did it all started but so far, countless deserving and talented students have already benefited such privilege. In fact, some of their scholars are already working in different institutions in various capacities, as plain high school teacher or an ordinary employee, etc.

The good thing about this noble project, unlike other scholarship grants that are either politically motivated or with string attached is that, it carries no obligation and condition whatsoever at all for each beneficiary. Save that each grantee must only maintain required grades on all subjects as precondition for the continuous financial assistance for straight full four years term until they graduate. That, in effect, would secure too the bright future of other equally intellectually gifted and promising students saddled with similar financial burden in pursuing their quest of brilliant future. That compliment of extending the necessary lift from the giver and the receiver is an undoubtedly plausible arrangement and undertaking.

On top of full tuition fees for the four year course, Cepalco provides monthly stipend and shoulder all expenses on books needed by the students. And, as maybe deemed indispensable, similar privileges will be extended when students would be taking any summer class. What a deal! Unfortunately, the selection is very competitive. In fact, testing and recommendation is left to the school’s
Scholarship Board depending on the aptitude and performance of students in the past school he attended. It’s the school, therefore, that does the nomination after background check of the status of parents is done by the company. The nominees would then just be officially informed for the official signing of agreement of the scholarship grant. No glitches and sweat there. Thus, most of the beneficiaries for their high school grant, for instance, are DOST scholars enrolled at Philippine Science High School at Baloi, Lanao del Sur.

Lately, eight students – seven good-lucking gentlemen and a lone lady, mostly graduated High School Valedictorians and at the top 10 of the College Entrance examination, had a contract signing of scholarship agreements with Cepalco representatives headed by Atty. Edgardo Uy, the Executive Vice President, and
Miss Nessy Madera, the Scholarship in Charge, with their parents and two other staff assisting and facilitating the signing of relevant papers at the Conference Room. All the lucky students are enrolled at Xavier University taking up science courses of their choice, the rest at Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST). Written all over their faces were happiness for the unexpected blessings. Beaming, too, in their eyes are renewed dedication, industry and willingness in taking the new challenge of greater responsibility as scholars.

But the happiest, undoubtedly, in that historic signing of Memorandum of
Agreement was their parents, all of whom sacrificed their time and incredibly even career supporting and participating their children all the way. That stopped, however, as the scholars inked Memo on that momentous day, lifting the financial burden from their parents.

Interestingly enough, most of the parents are ordinary people, the fathers doing odd jobs for survival. One is a motorela driver, another a military retiree and an ordinary private employee – all could hardly make both ends meet. One, in fact, was a former permanent high school teacher who personally resigned and went 365 degrees acting as full time mother nurturing her gifted kid, obviously elated over this development.

As recipients of such rare chance, it is just hoped that these scholars would carve a niche in their chosen field. I do know because deep down the very recesses of their hearts is all what they ever wanted. It is therefore hoped that they’ll find fulfillment and would return back to Him the honor and glory. It is, therefore, behooved that this new batch of scholars would carry that task all the way, a feat they definitely could manage. Why really not when scholarship, after all, is not only a deal between Cepalco and the scholars but most specially, a covenant with God. It is fervently wished then that all stakeholders, especially the parents, should extend their unconditional support and participation all the way so that each grantee would not left any stones unturned giving their best shot as they engaged in the pursuit of academic excellence. So be it and good luck and cheers!