STI Grants Scholarships to Children of Slain Journalists in Maguindanao

July 14, 2010, Makati City – In cooperation with President Aquino's family and Mabuting Pilipino, a movement for good governance, STI Foundation officially awarded three scholarship grants to children of journalists killed in the Maguindanao Massacre.

 

The awardees were Phoebe Bataluna, daughter of Rubello Bataluna of Gold Star Daily; Hanny Mae Razon, daughter of Fernando 'Ranny' Razon of Periodico Ini; and Ian Krisna Subang, son of Francisco Subang of Socsargen News Today.

 

 

The presentors during the ceremony held at the Philippines First Building were STI President / CEO Monico V. Jacob, presidential sister Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, and Pete Nicomedes Prado, one of the conveners of the Mabuting Pilipino movement.

 

After the awarding of certificates, Ballsy extended her appreciation to STI for giving the children an opportunity to weave a better future for their family through education. She added that STI serves as great example to other private organizations by showing them that any kind of help which can be extended to these victims' families will surely help these people rebuild their lives again.

 

"It was also overwhelming to know that STI didn't limit the number of grants. STI Foundation has committed to provide free college education to all children of slain victims in Maguindanao. Education eradicates the vicious cycle of poverty in our country, these students have the opportunity to provide for their family's needs after they graduate. Our family is very thankful for organizations like STI who are willing to help the government address the poverty alleviation." she added.

 

According to Mr. Jacob, the partnership was forged way before President Noynoy Aquino won the election. "We've always wanted to provide whatever assistance we can offer to the victims, and so we are very proud to have this partnership with the Aquino family and Mabuting Pilipino movement. We would also like to thank our campuses in General Santos and Koronadal for accommodating the students in their campuses. This is just the beginning, some of the dependents are still too young to appreciate a scholarship and some of them are still in their basic education level. Now if, after their high school graduation, they've decided to come to us (at STI) and say that they want to avail of the scholarship, then we will be more than happy to process theirs as well."

 

Ian, one of the awardees, said that he will study hard to take full advantage of the scholarship. Being the eldest of three siblings, he decided to work at a tuna canning factory to help contribute to the family budget. "I stopped working because my father asked me to, he thought that the job I was doing there is too hard for someone my age," Ian explained. As the new head of the family, Ian is determined to finish college and get a job so he can better provide for and take care of his mother and siblings.

 

The grant also came as a blessing for Phoebe and Hanny Mae. Rubello, Phoebe's father, wanted nothing more than a college diploma for his children. And, with this chance of finally realizing her father's dream, Phoebe is grateful for the opportunity of bringing honor to her late father's wish. Hanny Mae relates to Phoebe's feelings towards the grant and looks forward to improving the lives of her family, even without her father Ranny to help her achieve her dreams.

 

The three scholars were awarded an Associate in Computer Technology course, a two-year program which they can continue into a full 4-year degree under STI's ladderized program. As an additional gift, all three scholars were given free sets of uniforms. Hanny Mae is currently enrolled at STI College – Koronadal while Phoebe and Ian are attending STI College – General Santos.