Abanse Negrense Scholar's Day: A Recognition of the Unrelenting Negrosanon Spirit

The partnership between Governor Lacson and MMDC began in July, 2022 when both parties signed a Memorandum of Agreement to provide quality education to Negrosanon college students, in line with the Governor’s seven-point development agenda for Negros Occidental, education being one of them.

In his speech during the event, Governor Lacson noted, “to our scholars, may this scholarship equip you with the necessary training you need to be able to transcend your limitations and be the best you can be…Education remains to be the most important tool in giving solid opportunities to our young and even in lifting families out of poverty. However, in our country, education for everyone, although much desired, still remains elusive for some.” The Abanse Negrense Scholarship aims to provide assistance for potential students that are working their hardest to overcome the limiting circumstances in their lives.

Governor Lacson also remarked that this scholarship is instrumental in ensuring the youth never to give up on their dreams, no matter the hardships they face. Mapúa Malayan Digital College recognizes these challenges for many young Negrosanons and aims to not only provide the best education that can prepare them to real-world challenges, but also a learning experience that is flexible thanks to the fully online synchronous classes every week and online college modules that students can learn at their convenience, and accessible through the plethora of scholarships and financial aid available for deserving students.

The event was attended by over 80 recipients of the Abanse Negense Business and IT Scholarship. Two of the scholars shared with the attendees their challenges in being able to study. The missions and programs of both Governor Lacson and MMDC are of paramount importance to society, as together they focus on uplifting lives through quality education.

Aquilino Egay

Two months before his 18th birthday, Aquilino Egay was hired at a call center in Bacolod. He was able to breathe a sigh of relief - this is exactly what his family needed. He was now able to provide for his family - his siblings had all married and moved away, his mother was unable to work due to mobility issues and his father - a farmer and fish vendor - did his best to provide, but as he was 65 at the time, Aquilino was determined to take the responsibility to provide from his shoulders. This employment opportunity was desperately needed by his parents; there was no one else to take care of them.

Aquilino graduated from the call center training two months later, around the time he turned 18. He was then the breadwinner of his family, all the while trying to juggle school. He tried to pursue his studies but found that not only was there a hefty financial toll taken on his family's finances, but also working and studying full-time was not sustainable, especially as he had to attend classes face-to-face. Aquilino was working from 7:00 pm to 4:00 am and then attending classes from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm. He was trying to get through each day to earn money for his family, the only thing keeping him going was uplifting his family. He clearly stated that his main motivation was providing for his parents.

Needless to say, this was unsustainable in Aquilino’s eyes. He needed help. He was slowly losing himself trying to keep up with his responsibilities - familial, professional, and responsibilities for himself. He was willing to give up everything, but he knew that the sacrifice would ultimately mean nothing if he couldn’t provide for himself and his parents.

Aquilino heard about Mapúa Malayan Digital College and the Abanse Negrense Scholarship program. He applied for admissions to MMDC as he was enticed by the online college model that would prove to be easier to handle while he worked full-time. The Abanse Negrense Scholarship would provide him with much needed financial aid that would allow him to not only study, but also improve his and his parents’ lives - his main motivation at the time.

Aquilino wrung his hands nervously for days on end while waiting for news of his scholarship. He was appeased by the diligence and helpfulness of the MMDC Admissions team as they guided him through the process, assuring him that all that needed to be done, was done.

It wasn’t long after that, Aquilino received a congratulatory email stating he was one of the Abanse Negrense Scholarship recipients. He took a moment to thank God and Governor Bong Lacson for this. He then promised that he would not squander this boon.

Aquilino is also thankful to MMDC for the opportunity to study online, “I see myself as a professional because of the course that I am taking right now, I know it will lead me to the right path. I can use all of the learning in order for me to get promoted soon, especially with my course and my current work. Once I finish this, I can be a supervisor in my current company, or who knows? I might even become an operations manager. All those skills, MMDC teaches us, and helps us to be more prepared and ready to face real work after our graduation from MMDC.”

Bernard Pesante

As a 10 year-old, grade 5 student, Bernard Pesante had already been working while juggling his elementary and high school studies. As a seasoned working student, balancing many responsibilities is not new to him. Coming from a poor family, Bernard and his siblings did everything they could to provide for their family. His late father ingrained a simple message that became everything that Bernard worked for, “Eskwela kamo mayo kay kung may tinapusan ka, indi ka mainto ka isig kapareho mo, kag indi ka matapak-tapakan asta mintras” (Study well because if you finish your education, others cannot trick you, and they cannot step on you either”).

Bernard used this as motivation to study hard, to help provide a good future for his family. Even with all the limitations of poverty, Bernard used these to push him and help him work harder than ever before. His house had no electricity, and he and his siblings could only study with candle light or kerosene lanterns.

Being a working student, Bernard was enticed by Mapúa Malayan Digital College’s online college programs. This was very important to him as he still needed to work to provide for his family. He applied for the Business Administration program and was interested in majoring in marketing management. He saw this as his gateway to a good future for him and his family.

Bernard was informed by his best friend about the Abanse Negrense Scholarship program. He took immediate action, seeing this scholarship as something that could really assist him, not only providing for his family, but also removing a huge burden from his shoulders while he studied. He applied online at MMDC, passed the online admissions tests, and eventually became a recipient of the Abanse Negrense Scholarship program. On top of this, through the assistance of Talisay City Vice Mayor Nic Jalandoni, he was also awarded his very own laptop from the office of Mayor Neil Lizares. Bernard recounted this experience, “I checked my email and was surprised by the results - that I was able to pass, and I cried really hard. Afterwards, an additional blessing came through the office of Mayor Neil Lizares, and I received a laptop from him.”

Bernard said that one of the major inspirations for him was his poverty - or the wish to leave his poverty behind him by working hard. “Poverty doesn’t mean you have to stay poor forever, and you have to focus and strive hard to move past this. Remember, Jose Rizal once said, “Ang mga kabataan ay pag-asa ng bayan” (“The youth are the hope of the country”). What will happen if you don’t do your responsibilities as a student?”

A Bright Future

The future is indeed bright for Negrosanon students. Partnerships between provincial governments and institutions like Mapúa Malayan Digital College have proven to provide opportunities for young students to allow for growth and success in high-demand fields like business and IT. Indeed, these can provide not only opportunities of growth for the individuals, but also outstanding graduates that can contribute to the growth of organizations, cities, provinces and the nation as a whole.

In her closing statement, MMDC Vice President for Marketing and Admissions, Jenny Chua stated, “We want to say your college journey will be easy but that will not be the reality. You will encounter many challenges and when that happens, your MMDC community will be here to support you. We are here to guide you to succeed in a range of diverse careers within Technology and Business. Like what our Integrated Advising team will say: we are just one call away.”

For more information on the Abanse Negrense scholarship and the programs offered by Mapúa Malayan Digital College, please visit https://www.mmdc.mcl.edu.ph/.

To learn more about opportunities to support young Filipino students to reach their full potential through scholarship programs, please contact Joshua Villanueva through {{< components/a-mail "jvillanueva@mmdc.mcl.edu.ph">}} or +63928 559 2859.