Sungduan: Helpful

FILIPINOS wherever they are, their distinct culture of being helpful always show.

The San Luis Obispo County & Vicinity Inc. in San Luis Obispo County situated in Southern Region in California, USA, is a Filipino group that always gives priority in providing assistance to young Filipino students in the area who need help in pursuing their tertiary education.

Abraham “Abe” Garces, the group president who traces his roots in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur said their scholarship program has existed for more than 20 years now through his initiative when he was then the program director of the group.

“We help the graduating high schools to pursue education in college. Although, it is not so much which range from 300 to 600 dollars, this financial assistance will help them buy books and stuff that they need. Our goal is to support them and give them incentives.

This year they awarded financial assistance to 12 high school graduates from four different high schools in the area. It is the highest number so far since they started the activity.

“We accept applications directly from the students in high school and the scholarship committee is the one in charge with it. Also, we look at first their GPA and their active involvement in the Filipino community,” Garces added.

The group hopes to expand the program being supported by the Filipino American community, in their home country just what the Narvacanian Association of Central California, Inc. has been doing for many years now.

Garces who is also a member of the said association which is presently being led by Rosabelle Calangan as president added that at least 53 beneficiaries already graduated as nurses, engineers, and teachers under the said program.

May this endeavor of the Filipino Community in California continue to help the deserving students pursue their dream of graduating in college.

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