COTABATO CITY—Faizah Kadon Tejero, 28, literally walked fast back in time to an emotional reunion with Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, who awarded her the scholarship that helped her way through law school five years ago.
Kadon-Tejero, a graduate of Ateneo de Davao Law School, sought Mangudadatu in Davao City the very day her name appeared in the results of the 2017 Bar Exams released by the Supreme Court on April 26.
Yes, minutes after she knew she passed the 2017 Bar Examination, Kadon-Tejero—a scholar of theMaguindanao Program on Educational Assistance and Community Empowerment (Mag-Peace)—did not only want to look back; she walked back to see how dreams do literally come true.
But the governor had been too busy for a slated meeting on Wednesday with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte who received two field commanders of the militant Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and hundreds of firearms surrendered by residents in support to massive peace campaign in Mindanao Mindanao.
“Congratulations Atty. Faizah Tejero, a Mag-Peace Scholar. I am so proud of you. Alhamdulillah! (All Praises due to God),” read Mangudadatu’s message on his Face Book account on Saturday.
“Both were ecstatic and teary-eyed,” is how Nur Eeman Aljani, executive assistant of Mangudadatu, described the reunion at a branch of the Starbucks Café in Davao City, amidst stunned customers, mostly students.
Kadon-Tejero, a native of Macasendeg Pikit, Cotabato, recalled teary-eyed during the meeting with Mangudadatu that it was through the MagPeace study grant that her law school studies was made possible. She said she would ever be grateful beyond words.
Aljani said Kadon-Tenejeros prior to availing the MagPeace study grant, had also been a scholar of the office of Sarangani Governor Migs Dominguez during her pre-law school years.
Mangudadatu has often stressed that only the right education and faith entwined could drive people and communities to development in real and sustainable terms.
Caption: Teary-eyed in a moment of triumph. Faizah Kadon Tejero, 28, hugs her former benefactor behind the MagPeace study grant, Maguindanao Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu