Proudly Filipino 
Gov. Hilario Davide III asked from the 132 scholar graduates of the province who made it with flying colors “to be better today than they were yesterday”.
“Usa lang akong tugon kaninyo (I only have on advice for you). Each day, ask yourself, ‘Am I a better person than I was yesterday?’ If yes, don’t stop getting better. If no, don’t stop trying. Do not compare yourself to others. Compare yourself to who you were yesterday,” he said.
“Ang inyong tupad karon mamahimong mas gwapa ug gwapa pa kaninyo. Mas adunahan pa kaninyo apan og inyong itandi ang inyong kaugalingon sa kung kinsa mo gahapon makaingon gyud mo (Your seatmate right now could be more beautiful or handsome than you are but when you compare yourself to who you were yesterday, you can truly say), ‘I am a better person right now.’ I am very proud of all of you,” Davide added.
In recognition rites at the Capitol Social Hall on June 10, the governor congratulated the scholars who graduated either as magna cum laude, cum laude or with honors.
Among the honorees were Glenel P. Cañada of the first batch of VSP scholars who is now a teacher and Gemma C. Abella, a quality assurance engineer at Murimoto Audio Visual Philippines Inc. and part of the second batch of VSP graduates.
The scholars expressed their gratitude, saying that this helped them made their dreams come true.
This year’s batch are led by Ranbie E. Rodriguez, Cebu Technological University (CTU) magna cum laude (Salutatorian Scholarship Program or SSP), Kayleen Jugan, CTU magna cum laude (Validectorian Scholarship Program or VSP), Eron Anthony Guarde, Cebu Normal University (CNU) magna cum laude (SSP), and Pretty Leighn Kate Gimena, CNU magna cum laude (VSP).
They share the same story of how the scholarship turned their harships and struggles into dreams and dreams into reality and how it helped improved the lives of their families.
Davide reminded them there is a cruel world out there. But he is optimistic they can overcome the challenges because hardships have equipped them with the skill to cope and adapt.
The scholarship also propelled them to land good jobs easily. Gimena, for instance, is a political science graduate. She is now a Cebu Provincial Capitol employee of the Provincial Board (PB) in the office of the PB secretariat. She hopes to take up law someday.
In her thank you speech, Gimena was very grateful to Gov. Davide, PB Member Peter John Committee on Education chairman, DBP’s Lorna Gallego, CTU President Dr. Rosein Ancheta Jr., and CNU Pres. Dr. Marclo Lopez for continuing the scholarship program through the years.
“On the other hand, I was able to provide school supplies for my cousins for two consecutive school years. I felt so fulfilled with sharing what I have with others. And all of those happened through the Cebu Provincial Government that I will forever be grateful to, ” said Gimena.
The province partners with CTU and CNU for VSP and SSP through which student-scholars enjoy free tuition. The province shoulders the cost of allowance for the VSP scholar and DBP for the SSP scholar.
The Provincial Employment Office headed by Mathea Baguia helps in the paper work so DBP also works on the stipend release in due time.
Valedictorians are entitled to a P2,000-monthly allowance and the salutatorians 1,500 for the duration of their schooling.
[divider]
Do you have photos, stories, and brands that you’d like to be featured? Do you know someone that needs to be featured?
Message us via 
