Tarlac State University gathered with the first-degree family members of the late Don Francisco P. Santos, the first elected municipal mayor of Mayantoc, for the ceremonial signing of a memorandum of agreement on May 24, 2024 at the Engineering AVR.
Through the partnership organized by the Scholarship and Financial Assistance Unit, five incoming third-year students from Mayantoc town are set to receive 6,000 pesos under the Don Francisco P. Santos (DFS) Educational Assistance Program this coming first semester of the academic year 2024-2025.
Benefactor Mrs. Marian Santos-Flores shared that after the pandemic, she and her cousins decided to continue the legacy of their great grandfather Don Francisco who donated parcels of land to meet the requirement for the conversion of Mayantoc into a town.
“Noong nag-pandemic po, maraming pinaalala ang Diyos sa atin – na maikli lang ang buhay. Kaya naman dapat gumawa tayo ng mabuti araw-araw para makatulong lalong-lalo na po sa mga kabataan na kapos sa matrikula na nais makapagtapos upang makatulong hindi lamang sa kanilang sarili kundi lalong-lalo na sa kanilang pamilya,” Mrs. Flores said in her speech.
It was Don Francisco’s son, Dominador, a former high school principal and war veteran, who started the scholarship program inspired by his love for learning.
One of the beneficiaries is Geraldine Felizardo, 19, a second-year BS Environmental Science student. Felizardo said she will use the stipend for her school expenses to help her parents – a farmer and a modiste.
Felizardo wants to use her allowance for commuting instead of spending it for board and lodging. She would rather commute every day to help her family with chores and take care of her ailing grandmother granted that her class schedule permits.
“You are already a double scholar – a scholar of the government and the DFS Educational Assistance Program. We are only hoping that you will do your best in your studies kasi ‘yung mga benefactors niyo will be very happy. Kasi that means ‘yung effort nila at ninyo ay hindi maisasantabi,” Dr. Agnes Macaraeg, Vice President for Academic Affairs, said in her speech.
She also asked the scholars to do their best in their studies and instill the values of the university to help and give back to other people in their own way.
“Tumulong tayo, whatever would be the level ng ating pagtulong. Because through that core value of truth in all our undertakings, we may be capable to unite with other people, and we also have to provide service with utmost compassion,” VP Macaraeg said.
Furthermore, VP Macaraeg read TSU President Dr. Arnold E. Velasco’s message to the scholars, highlighting the importance of having a degree and scholarships to grant them more career opportunities.
“Our dear beneficiaries, having a college degree and being well-educated raises your chance of finding better employment and opens up new prospects. This is the most powerful weapon you can have to make all your dreams come true,” VP Macaraeg read.
Joining the Santos family representatives are Ms. Faith G. Santos and La Paz municipal councilor Hon. Migs Flores, husband of Mrs. Marian.
Meanwhile, Dr. Gladie Natherine G. Cabanizas, Student Affairs and Services OIC Director, and Dr. Niña G. Valentin, SFAU Head, also graced the activity.
Photo by: Eduardo F. Laxamana Jr.
