TARLAC CITY (PIA) — Behind the orientation of 2,555 Bagong Pilipinas Presidential Scholars at the Tarlac City Civic Center on July 30 stood the story of graduating student Alliya Urbano of Barangay Ungot in Tarlac City, who has spent years stretching every peso, borrowing internet access, and taking on extra work just to stay in school.
Urbano joined thousands of scholars during the orientation led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who also turned over P102.2 million in Socio-Civic Projects Fund (SCPF) for 511 barangays in Tarlac under the Bawat Bayan Makikinabang Program.
The program provides P200,000 to every barangay nationwide, with P100,000 allocated for five Presidential Scholars who each receive P20,000 for educational expenses, while the remaining P100,000 supports barangay-identified priority projects.
A fourth-year Bachelor of Science in Food Technology student, Urbano said her parents are nearing senior-citizen age and earn a living from raising pigs and selling meat through customer orders.
“Yung parents ko po malapit na po silang maging senior citizen, pa-edad 60 na po sila. Ang pinagkakakitaan po ng pamilya namin ay yung mga baboy na inaalagaan nila tapos kinakatay po at yun po yung pinapa-order nila,” she said.
Urbano is one of six siblings, and only one of them has finished college.
“Anim po kaming magkakapatid at pangalawa po ako sa bunso. Isa pa lang po ang nakapagtapos sa amin,” she said.
To reduce transportation expenses, she rides with her older brother whenever their schedules match and commutes when they do not.
“Kapag may pasok po sa work yung kuya ko, nakikisabay po ako para makatipid sa pamasahe, tapos kapag wala naman po siyang pasok, nagco-commute po ako,” she said.
Financial limitations also affected her studies outside the classroom.
“Dahil may wifi po yung kapatid kong panganay, doon po ako nakiki-connect para sa online classes. Sa food technology po, marami kaming ginagamit sa laboratory kaya nahihirapan din po ako, at para makapag-comply ay nag-a-academic commissions po ako,” Urbano said.
The scholarship arrived as she works on her thesis and prepares for on-the-job training in a location far from their home.
“Makakatulong po ito sa expenses sa ongoing thesis ko, magagamit ko rin po sa daily needs ko kasi may mga hindi inaasahang bayarin na dumarating. Makakatulong din po ito sa OJT ko kasi malayo rin po yung lugar kung saan ako na-assign,” she said.
Urbano said she wants to protect the years of sacrifice invested by her family and is already thinking beyond graduation.
“Ayoko pong masayang yung apat na taon na pinag-aralan ko. Habang nasa review center po sana ako para sa board exam, kukuha rin po ako ng experience sa trabaho. Ang gusto ko pong career ay maging quality assurance sa mga food production companies,” she said.
During the orientation, President Marcos emphasized that education remains among the government’s highest priorities because knowledge is a form of wealth that cannot be taken away and can be used to improve one’s family, community, and the nation.
He urged the scholars to use the assistance wisely, study hard, and prepare themselves to contribute to the country through their chosen professions.
The President also noted that the scholarship component is being implemented in all barangays across the Philippines, potentially benefiting more than 200,000 students nationwide.
Urbano said being selected was unexpected because only five slots were available in their barangay despite the number of graduating students.
“Recent lang po na na-announce itong Presidential Scholarship at five slots lang po ang mayroon. Marami rin pong graduating students sa buong barangay tapos kami po yung napili, kaya napaka-thankful po namin,” she said.
She expressed gratitude to the President and vowed to use the assistance responsibly.
“Thankful po kami sa Pangulo at gagamitin po namin sa tama yung tulong na matatanggap namin,” Urbano said.
She also encouraged other young people facing financial difficulties to continue pursuing their education.
“Kung problema po yung pera, marami pong scholarships at organizations na handang tumulong. Kailangan lang po talagang sipagan. Kung gusto pong mag-aral, magagawan po ng paraan,” she said.
The Bawat Bayan Makikinabang program combines educational assistance with community development by allowing barangays to identify deserving scholars and fund local priority projects, creating a direct link between national government support and grassroots development.
For Urbano, the scholarship carries a deeply personal meaning rooted in her family’s sacrifices.
“Inspirasyon ko po ang pamilya ko sa pag-aaral dahil kahit matanda na po sila, ginagawan pa rin po nila ng paraan ang pag-aaral naming magkakapatid. Ayoko na po sanang mahirapan ang mga magulang ko kaya ako naman po sana ang makatulong sa kanila,” she said.
As Urbano prepares to complete her degree and enter the food industry, her story reflects the broader goal of the Bagong Pilipinas Presidential Scholars Program, which seeks to help graduating students turn educational opportunity into meaningful work, stronger families, and active contribution to their communities. (CLJD/RPQ, PIA Region 3-Tarlac)
