April 13, 2011

She Did It!

As promised, I'll tell you what happened during my vacation. This is the first part.

One of the reason why I took a vacation leave was my niece' graduation last March 07, 2011. Probably one of her parent's concerns is her college degree program. Like anywhere in the world, it is very expensive to send a child in a university and it will take hard labor and sweats to have one child finish a course.

But fate and luck is on my niece side because she was chosen as one of the top 10 students in the Philippines. The recipient of the Academic Excellence Award for Luzon to receive a full scholarship (that includes full tuition fees, miscellaneous fees and allowance) for the whole college course of any degree and university of her choice. This is a project of SM foundation and former vice president Noli De Castro together with the Department of Education (DepEd).

I was shocked and teary eyed when I heard the news that she was chosen.  Actually we didn't expect much and for her being on the top 40 is already an achievement. All her hardship were being paid off. After a week of exams, essay writings and interviews by the DepEd officials and the panels  she finally did it, not to mention the rigorous paper works and ranking she had gone through.  Finally the awarding was held last March 28, 2011at GSIS building but I wasn't able to attend because I was sick.

She was also featured in Inquirer Lifestyle Beta when she bagged the Best Debater award during the Oxford-Oregon Debate from the 3rd  Student Leaders Congress organized by the National Association of Secondary Schools in the Philippines (NASSPhil) which was held in Baguio.

She marched as Valedictorian of Class 2010-2011 and her father cried right there on the stage when awards were given to her.  I am really clueless how she managed to be on the top of her class since nursery. She's not a nerd nor a weirdo but rather a cool girl and until now, I'm still  in the state of shock. The whole community celebrated for her and were there during the small gathering her parents organized.


 I am thankful that she's starting to reach  her goals. I remember the day she talked to me on how she wanted to pursue her college degree in Manila. Now everything is settled including the university where she will study.

31 comments:

  1. How AWESOME for your niece!!! WOW.. What an amazing accomplishment!!!! Congrats to her!!! So happy for her and everyone must be so very, very Proud of her too!!!

    Keep us posted... this is just the start of an incredible journey for her!! :-)

    Hugs,
    Coreen XOXO

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  2. Congratulations to your niece. That is an amazing achievement.

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  3. It sounds like your niece is really doing well...congrats to her! And good for you for being such a supportive Aunt. :-)

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  4. Velvet Over Steel Definitely. Everybody's so proud and happy for her. I'll keep you posted on how her Journey goes. Thanks Coreen!

    George Thanks! I'll let her know.

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  5. Rachel Supporting her is the least I could do. Thanks, I'm so happy to have you here again. How's Bella? Hope she's doing great!

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  6. wow, congrats congrats to your niece!♥♥

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  7. Awesome!!! she must be on cloud nine. Congrats on her behalf!!

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  8. Kitkat Yes that's for sure and we're on cloud nine too!

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  9. congrats kay pamnagkin, napaka talinong bata.. im sure mana yan sa tita sey niya..:)

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  10. Mommy-Razz How I wish ganyan din po ako katalino kaso hindi, tsk...tsk...sayang...hehehe! Thanks po!

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  11. wow, i was teary eyed when you mention that her father cried on stage. He must be really proud. Your niece is awesome! grabe ang talino nya. sayo nya siguro namana. :)

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  12. Mayen Yes he really cried upstage. He is so proud. Naku po sana nga naging kasing talino ko siya.

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  13. *a big round of applause* Congrats to your niece Sey...Im very sure she'll reach her goals in the future :-)

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  14. WOW! AWESOME. ANG GALING NIYA. Ang ganda ng future ng batang ito.ngayon pa lang kakaibang accomplishment na ito. Kahit sinong tatay iiyak pag ganyan ang anak mo. Pakiabot sa kanya I'm very proud of her.

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  15. hi Sey..congrats sa pamangkin mo. ang pagiging matalino runs in the blood talaga. In short nasa lahi nyo talaga. All your niece efforts and sacrifices paid all to endure and it's indeed an achievement to your family. lets cheers to that.

    i remember nung makapasa ang pinsan ko sa Phil Sci Diliman sya ang top one sa buong region 8 at ng magtake sya sa UP Diliman for full scholarship nakapasa din sya.

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  16. Hi Sey,

    all i can say about your niece is "WOW"...she's an achiever at a very young age. please tell her to be dedicated in her study, our country needs her.

    i can relate to his father, if i happen to be the mom of your niece, i would cry unstoppable onstage.

    congratulations to your niece and to her parents.

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  17. woooaaaaahhh...awesome..ang galing...may pinagmanahan, sa tita sey niya...hindi ko kilala niece mo, pero kahit ako i feel so proud of her...isang araw aakyat din ako sa stage kasama anak ko..kahit walang medalya...

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  18. She is just awesome. Just awesome.

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  19. Aawww... Congrats to your niece!!!

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  20. Wow!!! The class valedictorian and the recipient of the Academic Excellence Award... Astig! Congratulations talaga... and to be able to receive a full scholarship? Wow ulit! Ang hirap pa naman mag-aral sa kolehiyo ngayon.. sobrang mahal na ang tuition fees, lalo na yung misc fees.. Haiz. Big help tlga yan..

    Nakakabilib. Andami nyang mga achievements.. and the very best achievement is to be able to graduate.. period. Hehe. Andami kasing Filipino kids ngayon na nawawalan na nang hilig mag-aral, kahit makatapos ng high school, inaayawan.. tsk.

    Anyhoo, Congratulations na lang ulit sa pamangkin mo.. to the family.. and to you. Mana sayo, Sey? hehe..

    My Tasty Treasures
    Ako si LEAH
    Everyday Letters

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  21. congrats to your niece..=) ok lang din na gamitin mo yung quote sa post ko..pakilink na lang ako thank you..

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  22. Congratulations to your brilliant niece. What an impressive accomplishment.

    May all her dreams come true.

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  23. Nash thanks, let's cross our fingers


    Diamond R Makakarating po-hehehe! Hindi din ako makapaniwala hanggang ngayon.


    Pearl it runs in the blood ba? naku sana nga namana ko yung katalinuhan niya. Cheers tayo! Congrats din sa pinsan mo- hehehe it runs in the blood kaya ikaw din. hehehe.


    AiDiSan Sasabihin ko po sa kanya. I can imagine how you would cry. All parents should be proud of their children and I know you love and support your kids.

    Thanks, I will let them know.

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  24. Akoni Thanks Akoni. Napasaya mo naman ako sa comment mo. Sayang hindi ako kasing-talino niya kundi naku po...hehe...OO naman darating ang araw aakyat ka sa stage ng maraming beses, kaya gabayan mo ng mabuti ang iyong anak....dun ako natutuwa sayo dahil isa kang mabuting ama. ayan, iiyak nanaman ako.


    Ratz hahahaha! I know what you mean dear.


    Gnetch Thanks girl.


    Leah Wow you're here! Super saya ko. Thanks sa pagdalaw.

    Big help talaga dahil ang taas ng tuition. Ayun nakahinga ng maluwag ang mama at papa niya at sobrang saya na rin syempre.

    Mana? Sakin? hay harinawa! hehehehe! Thanks


    Superjaid Thanks. Kapag ginamit ko link kita.


    Florida Girl Thanks! I am hoping she'll reach all her dreams.

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  25. Oh my God! what a brilliant kid. Send my congratulations to her.

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  26. teka.. nakalimutan ko ang comment ko dito sa iyo,.. pero nakalagay sa taas na "Your comment was published." eheheh.. di pa nga ata ako nagcocomment ehhh...

    anyway... sorry do the late comment.. nawalan kami ng signal..

    anyway.. congrats sa pamangkin mo.. happy talaga ako kapag nakakakilala ako or nakakadinig din ako ng mga ganyang story...

    super like ko ang magbasa ng mga ganyan.. nakaka inspired...

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  27. Janjan Thanks! I'll let her know.

    Musingan That's okay Al. Thanks! I am happy her story inspired you. Ano aral ulit? hahaha!

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  28. Giggles. Thank you for sharing my story to others. What a nice narration :)

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  29. WOW! It is really nice to read blog posts like this one. I hope my sister will be approved for her scholarship assistance too. Please say congratulations to your niece for me.

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  30. Glad is Me yeah and you owe me for that! Just Kidding.

    Kench Let's pray for yoru sister. I will let her know.

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