‘WHILE it is true that tuition are now free in state universities, students need more than just tuition. They need sustainability in instruction, in doing research, projects, and other curricular activities… and we are very grateful that Panasonic has that mission of helping our young people pursue their dreams. So to this year’s scholars, you are expected to translate your scholarship privilege to greater contributions for national development…and eventually help others when you become successful in the future,” University of Rizal System (URS) President Marita Canapi said during the awarding ceremony of the 2017 Panasonic Asian Scholarship grants to six deserving university students held at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, Quezon City.
The parents and the new scholars—Lucas Niegel Cabading, Gelyn Cruz, Bea Marie Manalastas, Gerdan Marie Louise Salas, Jovern Simangan and Kathrina Villedo—fully agree on this and are happy to be given this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. For one, Manalastas, the 19-year-old BS Accountancy student at the Pamantasan ng Cabuyao, has been doing various “sidelines” to support her studies and is happy with the blessing she received.
Villedo’s widowed mother was overjoyed her daughter can now concentrate on her studies and not worry about her schooling expenses. Villedo is 20 years old and is taking up BS Civil Engineering at the UP Diliman.
The rest of the scholars are ecstatic with the scholarship grant. They all promised to make use of their scholarship not only for their personal gain, but also in becoming good leaders in their chosen fields and contribute to the society in the future.
Cabading is 20 years old and currently taking up BS Electronics and Communications Engineering at UP Diliman, while Cruz is 19 years old and is currently taking up BS Accountancy at the Pamantasan ng Cabuyao.
Salas is 20 years old and is currently taking up BS Electronics and Communications Engineering at UP Diliman.
Simangan is aged 18 and is taking up BS Accountancy at the University of Rizal System—Binangonan. All of them were chosen after passing a series of interviews and assessment of their overall performance as students.
Aside from Canapi, the awarding of the scholarship grants on September 27 was led by Panasonic Manufacturing Philippines Corp. (PMPC) President Shinichi Hayashi, Panasonic Precision Devices Philippines Corp. (PPRDPH) President Koji Ipposhi, Canapi, Pamantasan ng Cabuyao President Isabel Inlayo, PMPC Executive Director Masaru Toyota, UP College of Engineering Associate Dean for Student Affairs Rhandley Cajote, UP College of Engineering Associate Dean for Institutional Linkages Eric Augustus Tingatinga, PMPC Assistant Director Marlon Molano, PMPC Assistant Director Robert Pacheco and PPRDPH Assistant Director Mary Ann Diaz.
During the ceremony, PMPC’s Hayashi challenged the new scholars by reminding them that Panasonic is not just simply giving them financial support, but for the country’s continuing development, as well. “By way of your intellectual ability, your personality and your humanity, we believe you are truly the deserving individuals, who can help us realize our commitment to contribute to improving the lives of people, and to the further progress of society along with our corporate slogan in pursuing the concept of ‘A Better Life, A Better World.’ In other words, we aim to become good leaders in your chosen fields, and contribute to the society in the future,” Hayashi said.
Each of the guest speakers took turns in commending Panasonic as they inspire the scholars. Inlayo also exhorted the scholars that achievers do not always like what they do, but they are winners because they do it anyway. “Life is unpredictable with hardships, challenges and trials along the way…it is important that you remember your priority and to allow God to use both success and failure to reproduce Christ’s divine character in you,” Inlayo added.
In congratulating the scholars, Cajote encouraged them to rise above all the challenges they will face along the way.
“Our parents always tell us that education is the only legacy that they can leave behind. Education is something that we strive to attain for ourselves and for our family,” Cajote said.
Pacheco urged the scholars not to forget that, in a sense, they are all ambassadors not only of Panasonic and their respective universities, but also of their communities, thus, they must carry out seriously their responsibilities as scholars and “help make our world a better place”.
Panasonic Corp. (Japan) funds the Panasonic Asian Scholarship Program for its localized schemes in the region. In the Philippines the program is administered by PMPC and supported by PPRDPH.