Mayor Abigail Binay on Wednesday hailed five scholars of the Makati City government who finished college with honors, including a magna cum laude graduate from the University of the Philippines and four cum laude graduates from the Philippine Normal University.
“Congratulations to our outstanding scholars! Your parents must be very proud of you, as we are. The city government salutes you for matching the support given to you with excellence,” said Binay.
She also urged them to continue being a positive influence on other young Makatizens in their families, communities and even in their respective workplaces. “As you begin your respective careers, I urge you to sustain your passion to excel and be a shining example for the younger generations to emulate.”
Norma Tumambing, head of the city’s department of education, named Diana Oblino as the Makati scholar in UP Diliman who took up Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication and graduated magna cum laude this June.
The scholars who graduated cum laude in PNU were Mary Bernadette Dela Cruz and Divine Grace Ellana, both with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education; Sarah Cabbuag, Bachelor in English Education with Certificate in Teaching Junior Secondary High School; and Patricia Marquez, Bachelor in Social Science Education with Certificate in Teaching Senior Secondary High School.
Another Makati scholar in PNU, Wilma Gabrielle Galutera, earned her Bachelor in Early Education degree this year.
Besides the full payment of their tuition and miscellaneous fees as applicable, Makati scholars in UP and PNU receive P4,000 monthly stipend each, and a P5,000 and P4,000 book allowance per semester, respectively.
Last year, the city started extending its college scholarship program to qualified students at the city-run University of Makati (UMak), where each scholar receives P2,000 monthly stipend and P2,000 book allowance.
For school year 2017-2018, the city has a total of nine scholars in PNU, five in UP, and six in UMak.
Meanwhile, this school year, the city has allocated P10.6 million for its college scholarship program for qualified and deserving high school graduates in Makati public schools who wish to pursue their tertiary education in PNU, UP, and UMak.
The program awards full scholarships to qualified, deserving Makati public high school graduates. To retain their scholarship, scholars in UP must maintain the required average grade of “2.0” or its equivalent, for a load of at least 15 units with no failing grade.
PNU scholars are required to maintain the required average grade of 85 percent for a load of at least 15 units with no failing grade.