NINE Negrense senior high school scholars were among the 170 students who graduated at Miyakonojo Higashi High School (MHHS) in Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan on Saturday, February 19, 2022.
They are Reneleen Apatan of Silay City, Faustinne Mar Bulanon of Talisay City, Mark Amiel Doriman of Hinigaran, Zion Orven Gallo of Victorias City, Helena Grace Gasataya of Sagay City, Hans Philippe Gubaton of La Castellana, Trisha Mae Lucio of San Carlos City, Curly Joyce Palacios of Sagay City, and Lorraine Tudillo of Binalbagan.
These students comprise the second batch of scholars at MHHS who were given scholarships to study General Health and Automotive in Japan.
Both Lucio and Tudillo got the Eiken First Grade and award for perfect attendance for three years.
Doriman and Gallo also got the perfect attendance for three years.
Palacios and Apatan got the prize for good attendance, while Bulanon and Gubaton got the perfect attendance for one year award.
Gasataya, Palacios and Tudillo were active members of the School's Brass Band Club as Flautist, Hornist and Clarinettist, respectively.
Bulanon was a member of the school's student council, Gubaton.
Gallo and Doriman have certificates in gas and arc welding, others engaged in sports and extracurricular activities.
After three years in Japan, most of them hurdled Nihonggo Proficiency Level 2 and 3.
Those who passed the second hardest Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) or N2 are Lucio, Bulanon, Palacios and Tudillo while Gallo and Doriman passed the third hardest JLPT or N3.
These students went to Japan in 2019 as scholars of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental to pursue their senior high school studies through a counterparting scheme with MHHS.
The Provincial Government provided financial support for the students' other expenses, while the school shouldered the tuition, three-year full accommodation and ensured the security of the scholars.
Seven students will remain in Japan to pursue higher education and vocational course.
These students will continue their journey in Japan to achieve their dreams of a brighter future.
Lucio was awarded 100 percent scholarship on tuition fees at Asia Pacific University (APU) in Oita, Japan and she will take up Asia Pacific Studies and work part time inside the school.
Bulanon, who passed the entrance examination of Tsuru University in Yamanashi Prefecture, will take up English Literature and also work part time to support herself.
Tudillo, Gasataya, Palacios, Apatan and Doriman will study for two years at Houshin School of Healthcare and opted to pursue a national license for careworker in Japan.
They will also work part time to support themselves.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson expressed his gratitude to MHHS chairman Brian Wee and to the entire Shimizu family for continuing the partnership to uphold and for taking good care of the Negrense scholars in Japan in the past three years.
"This collaboration is a proof that international cooperation can be successful and is the surest way to help young people achieve their dreams," he said.
The governor congratulated the scholars for a job well done as he hoped that they will pursue their chosen paths with vigor, determination and faith.
Lacson is set to give educational assistance to the scholars through their parents next month to pay for their other expenses as they start a new life as college students in Japan.
This scholarship category is just one of the 18 categories handled by the Negros Occidental Scholarship Program Division under the Office of the Governor. (PR)