Scholars’ Life in the Pandemic
IN response to the assistance they received as scholars of the Pag-asa ng Pamilya Scholarship Foundation, the grantees shared their experiences especially studying in the midst of the Coronavirus Disease Pandemic.
Excerpts…
ERIKA CAMUA: Good afternoon po.
I am from Malolos Bulacan, a fourth-year college student at the Centro Escolar University Malolos.
Since the start of the COVID Pandemic, it was really difficult to study as we had to attend online classes. I had a hard time adjusting to the online system, really different from the face-to-face classes. It’s not easy when you’re talking with your teacher and classmates only through your laptop or mobile phone. To be able to cope with the new system, I developed a schedule of my school activities so I could focus on my studies.
Then, I made sure that I don’t lose connection with my family and friends since they are the ones who can really help me during these difficult times.
My family’s livelihood has been severely affected by the crisis. So, I am super thankful for this opportunity that I’ve been included in the Pag-asa scholarship program. The financial assistance has helped lessen my family’s expenses.
I thank God, as He has been the source of strength of my family. By His grace, we continue to cope with the Pandemic, staying healthy and staying strong.\
JOHN IVERSON LUGAY: I am from Talim Island, Binangonan, Rizal.
One important lesson I’ve learned during this Pandemic is devotion to family—giving quality time of bonding with family members.
Pre-COVID, my life as a student is devoted to working on my assignments, working on projects, leaving no time for family.
But during this Pandemic, when I have to stay home, I’ve then realized the importance of bonding with my family. I now cherish moments being with my family.
Above family, I’ve found it great to have time for God! It’s great that we have a God in our life. Especially when we are almost down and out, we know that God is there to pick us up. At times when we suffer lack of resources, we know that God will provide. And it just feels good to hold on to His promises. That’s all, and God bless, everyone!
RIZZA JOY YAMBOT: Good afternoon po. Hello, po. I am 21 years old, currently a third year Tourism student at the University of Caloocan City.
There are four of us in the family. Our two elder sibs, also Pag-asa scholars, already graduated from college. So, it’s now only my other sib and I who are studying.
The Pag-asa scholarship is really a big help for me, especially because our family is not well-off.
JAM LABONG: I am 21 years old, an incoming third year student at the University of the Philippines Diliman, taking up Philosophy.
I am coping with the COVID Pandemic by trial and error. I thought online learning would be easy. I was wrong. The drastic change from face-to-face class to school-from-home was unnerving, to say the least. I didn’t have the required devices so I usually just borrowed them from an aunt.
It didn’t help that at the same time, my family faced financial setback. So, we could no longer afford the rent in the apartment we were staying in. Suddenly, we no longer had a house. We had a car we rented out to earn some income, and we thought we would just have to live in the car. But fortunately, the boss of my Mama was kind enough to let us stay in the company’s warehouse where construction workers and other employees live.
As if our problems were not enough, Mama contracted COVID— she was already in critical condition so, we had to bring her to the hospital. I don’t know how I went through the fear over losing my mother and the heavy demands of my studies.
By God’s grace, my mother recovered, great thanks to those who donated cash for her hospital expenses, and most especially for prayers of relatives and friends for Mama’s healing.
To help my family with my school expenses, I have been doing work sidelines. The Pag-asa grant has been a big help for me. I am thankful that the Pag-asa program is inclusive. I mean, some scholarship programs are devoted to particular sciences, or those courses focused on what’s in demand in the working world, and so, don’t include courses that don’t seem to have bearing in business, like my Philosophy course. Not to mention, it is really an honor to be called a scholar.
I have been working hard and I’ve been very devoted with my academics so that I can give back to the Foundation. I wish I have enough words to express my gratitude.
