For many scholars, the journey starts with an acceptance letter, a promise of financial assistance, and the opportunity to pursue a dream. But for this scholar, the DOST Science Education Institute (SEI) Undergraduate Scholarship was more than just a gateway to higher education. It was the spark that ignited a lifelong mission to reshape the landscape of the education system in the Philippines.
The day she earned the scholarship was more than just a personal achievement—it was a turning point. For her, it marked the first milestone in a journey that would extend far beyond the confines of a classroom. The DOST-SEI scholarship provided more than just academic support—it opened doors to leadership training, mentorship, and an avenue to collaborate with like-minded individuals. She found herself immersed in values formation programs, where she realized that being a scholar was not just about excelling in academics but about embodying responsibility and integrity.
Her participation in the 2024 Scholars Technopreneurship Training Program (STTP) proved to be another pivotal point. Co-founding DaluBasa, an educational startup that promotes reading literacy, she saw firsthand how education could be wielded as a tool for social transformation. It was here that she discovered that knowledge, when shared, has the power to break barriers and build bridges.
At first, her goal was simple: to excel in her studies, finish her degree, and become a teacher. But as she progressed, her perspective expanded. Education was no longer just about personal success, it was about creating lasting impact. She envisioned an education system where students are not just recipients of knowledge but active participants in shaping the future.
One of her most defining experiences was participating in the SEA Teacher Program, a pre-service student teacher exchange in Southeast Asia, where she was assigned to Indonesia. In a foreign land, surrounded by students from a different culture, she witnessed the power of education to transcend boundaries. Teaching in a multicultural environment reinforced her belief that learning should be inclusive, innovative, and adaptive.
The experience deepened her commitment to STEM education in underserved communities. She realized that while technology and innovation propel society forward, it is through education that these advancements become accessible to everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status.
One of her most significant contributions to education was the creation of DaluBasa. Alongside her team, she sought to address the literacy gaps in underserved communities. They recognized that reading is not just a skill but a foundation for lifelong learning. Through DaluBasa, they aimed to instill a love for reading, ensuring that young learners have the tools to succeed academically and beyond.
DaluBasa was more than just a project; it was a testament to the power of education and innovation. By promoting literacy, they were not just teaching children how to read—they were giving them the ability to dream, to question, and to create.
Looking back, she realizes that the true essence of being a scholar is not in the grades, the accolades, or the recognition—it is in the ability to create change. She embodies a blend of transformational and democratic leadership, striving to empower others while fostering inclusivity and collaboration. To her, leadership is not about authority but about service.
Her journey as a DOST-SEI scholar has led her to a mission far greater than herself. She dreams of a future where education is not a privilege but a right, where every child has access to quality learning, and where scholars like her use their knowledge to uplift their communities.
“Believe that you can, and so you will. This journey will test your limits, but the reward is worth every sacrifice. Success is not just about personal achievement; it is about using what you have learned to give back. Be proactive, embrace change, and always strive for excellence—not just for yourself, but for the world you aim to improve.”
As she continues her path, she carries with her the lessons, the struggles, and the triumphs of being a DOST-SEI scholar. But more than anything, she carries a vision—a vision of education as the great equalizer, the bridge to a better future, and the force that turns learners into leaders and innovators. (MLGArticuna/STHRDS)
𝘋𝘖𝘚𝘛 𝘚𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘳: 𝘊𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘺𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘐𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘖𝘚𝘛 𝘝𝘐 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺 𝘏𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘦 𝘋𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 (𝘚𝘛𝘏𝘙𝘋𝘚) 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘖𝘚𝘛’𝘴 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘴 𝘣𝘺 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘮𝘯𝘪. 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘖𝘚𝘛-𝘚𝘌𝘐 𝘚𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮 𝘪𝘯 𝘞𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘝𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘢𝘴, 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱@𝘳𝘰6.𝘥𝘰𝘴𝘵.𝘨𝘰𝘷.𝘱𝘩 𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭 0917-801-1942.