PBBM’s scholarship program brings hope to Surigao Norte graduating student
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte (PIA) — Hope shines brighter for 22-year-old Niña Lucky S. Estoya, a resident of Sison, Surigao del Norte, and a Fourth Year Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management (BSHM) student at Saint Paul University, Surigao, is now a recipient of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.’s scholarship program.
She received ₱20,000 for educational assistance from the Office of the President’s Socio-Civic Project Fund (SCPF).
The financial aid came at a crucial moment for Estoya, who managed both the demands of her final year in college and severe family hardship.
She currently resides with her grandparents, whose healthcare needs have put an increasing strain on the family’s limited resources – such as her grandfather urgently requiring eye surgery due to severe cataracts.
Estoya’s household relies solely on her mother’s modest income working as a bookkeeper. Her father has been unable to work due to a severe heart condition, making the completion of her college degree an uphill battle.
“This assistance is a massive weight off our shoulders,” Estoya said as she expressed deep gratitude for the grant. “With my grandfather needing surgery and my father unable to work, every peso counts. This grant allows me to focus on finishing my hospitality management degree so I can graduate, find a stable job, and provide a better life for my family.”
The SCPF extends aid to underprivileged but deserving students whose families are in crises, ensuring that financial hurdles do not prevent young Filipinos from attaining a college education.
With the financial relief provided by the SCPF, Estoya is now set to complete her final requirements at Saint Paul University in Surigao City, bringing her one step closer to entering the professional workforce and to supporting her family’s medical and living expenses. (SDR, PIA Surigao del Norte)
