When I was a kid I was afraid of change, until I learned that staying the same was far scarier.

Looking back at the little kid I was, I remember being constantly rushed to the hospital because of my weak immune system. I spent days in a quiet room, missing school, playtime and almost everything that seemed normal for other kids. For days I watched my parents struggle with my hospital bills, my parents trying to balance their income to provide for my other 4 siblings, I saw them quietly worrying but still doing everything to give us comfort. It was in those times where I realized staying weak won’t do anything and wouldn’t help you but would give you strength to be better. This is when it clicked. I wanted to do more, I wanted to grow, not just for me but for them too I wanted to see changes.

Through my journey as a weak kid I remember one day a doctor constantly visited me with a big smile painted on his face, a smile filled with determination and care, making sure that I will recover. At this point I cannot stop being mesmerized by his resilience, treating every patient especially me as if their life mattered all of the above. That day I found myself dreaming to be one, I want to be like him too, I want to be a doctor, not just to heal but to give hope, to make a difference and to become someone, like him, could give light to others’ dimming spark.

I grew up seeing my family struggle with financial problems. I’m a girl who didn’t always get what I wanted, but with these I am glad to understand and appreciate what we had. For my parents, handling 5 kids was never easy for them. I saw my parents repeatedly fall but still managed to put a smile on their faces. My father, a retired teacher, is now taking sidelines in selling fish, where income is never stable along with my mother, who is a housewife taking care of me and my siblings. Through tough times my older brother had to stop school and work to help ease our family’s daily needs. Seeing all these I realized that despite all the hard times they do not give up, this gave me courage to build every dream of mine with determination and make a difference in the lives of people in simple ways.

Now I still carry these lessons with me through my school journey. I am doing my best and trying my hardest every day to fuel that dream I carry. I work hard in my studies, take on leadership roles, and participate actively in school activities with dedication. I want to see myself achieving my goals, and to graduate with flying colors. I want to see myself as a young woman who can help others through determination. I know this will take a while, a lot of effort and patience. But I’m willing to take each step with courage.

With this scholarship it would mean more than just easing our financial struggles. It will be my reminder that my hard work and dreams are seen and valued. It would give me the courage to keep pushing forward, knowing that I have support behind me. This will help me to fully focus on my studies and growth, instead of constantly worrying about how to cover school expenses or materials needed for my learning.

In the future, I hope to see myself, wearing a white coat, a stethoscope laying on my shoulder and a young woman just like the doctor who inspired me as a child. I want to be someone who can make a change and support someone who needs it the most. This scholarship is important for me to step forward making that dream a reality.

I am applying for this scholarship because I believe it can help me and my single mother in achieving my academic and career goals. I am the second born out of the three children my single mother raises. I have always strived for excellence in my studies, despite financial and personal challenges.

This scholarship would not only ease the financial burden on my family, but will also allow me to focus more on my education and growth.

Academically, my goal has always been to pursue a degree in BA Psychology, a field I have been passionate about since I was young. I have consistently maintained strong grades, actively participated in school activities, and taken on leadership roles where possible. I believe education is not only a tool for personal development but also a responsibility—one I take seriously. I am to use my education to give back to my community and help improve the lives of others, especially those who face the same challenges I do.

Financially, my family faces hardships. My mother works to provide us with basic school expenses and daily essentials, but since she is a single mother, there are times when even those basic essentials we need for our everyday lives becomes a challenge for my mother to manage.

She works hard to support our household alone, but with increasing costs and limited income, it is a constant struggle. I do not want my educational goals to be hindered by our financial situation. I am committed to doing my best and I am searching for opportunities like this scholarship to help lift some of the burdens and allow me to continue my studies without interruption.

Receiving this scholarship would be more than just financial assistance—it would be an affirmation of my potential. It would give me the motivation to keep striving for excellence, knowing that someone believes in my dreams and abilities. It would allow me to focus on my academic and personal development, rather than worry about whether I can afford the next semester or project materials.

In the future, I hope to be in a position where I can help other students the way this scholarship would help me. Thank you for considering my application and giving students like me a chance to achieve something greater.

Application Essay – “How can I help?”

“Willron, patulong naman dito sa misa.”

“Willron, can you do the varsity forms?”

“Willron, you’ll be the reporter.”

Over and over again, I’ve heard my name—not to simply get my attention, but to ask for help or favors. And yet, I never get tired of hearing it. I’ll always be there to answer and to help.

That simple question—“How can I help?”—has quietly guided many of my choices. Whether I’m reporting for our school’s broadcast team, leading committees in our Campus Ministry, or organizing activities in the Badminton Club, I’ve always gravitated toward roles that let me serve—roles that require dedication even if they don’t come with much recognition. And when people call out to me, I hear my name: “Willron!” It reminds me that I’m seen not just for my presence, but for what I choose to stand for.

Over the past two years, I’ve poured time and effort into leadership and service. I’ve worked as a field reporter in school-wide events like the Research Fair and Alumni Homecoming, helped with tournaments and outreach programs, and served as Secretary of our school’s Badminton Club. I also lead in two committees under the Campus Ministry, handling events like Friday Masses and Liturgical celebrations. On top of these, I push myself to maintain high academic standing, aiming for High Honors, because I see it not just as a goal, but as a gateway to scholarship opportunities that could help ease my family’s financial burden. Though my father earns a decent income, it’s mostly just enough to cover daily expenses, bills, and the loans we’re still paying off. With my older brother now entering college,

our family’s finances are stretched even thinner. This scholarship would provide me with the support to focus on my studies and prepare for college admission tests without the burden of financial worry.

I’ve been honored with awards like 1st Place Overall and Best Script in TV Broadcasting at the District Schools Press Conference and recognized as Best Presenter in our school’s Science and Technology Fair 2024. But more than those achievements, what I carry most is a strong sense of purpose. With this scholarship, I can continue to grow as a student and a leader—someone ready to serve, to achieve, and to give back.

No matter what I do, I always return to the same question: ‘How can I help?’ This time, I hope your support will help me answer it.

Exit Essay

I would like to begin my essay with a heartfelt thank you to my dear Tito Phil, Tita Tere, Tito Dodo, and the ANI Scholarship for supporting me during my final year in Kisay.

When I first learned about ANI, I was scared and nervous. I didn’t have enough confidence to apply, but I eventually mustered the courage—and here I am now. ANI became the first stepping stone in building my confidence. It gave me the assurance that there are people who believe in me and see my potential.

Because of that support, I was able to achieve things I never thought possible. I even passed the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila College Admission Test (PLMCAT), something I never expected. With your encouraging words and guidance, you helped me grow and truly shine.

I am deeply grateful to the ANI Scholarship and to my dear titos and titas who supported me every step of the way. As I graduate from Kisay with honors, I look back at the start of Grade 12 and remember asking myself: Will I survive? Will I pass any college admission test? Now, here I am—graduated and ready for college.

I will never forget the ANI dinners and the financial support you have given me. I promise that in the future, I will give back tenfold and, hopefully, meet future ANI scholars as a (Hopefully) Future ANI sponsor myself.

To my dear titos and titas, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Ever since I was a kid, I have taught myself that education is a power and key to multiple doors of opportunity. Without it, my life would be different, as it shaped me into who I am today. As I stepped into this school, I felt pressured, thinking about the cost of a priceless education. Fortunately, that did not stop me, as I was more eager to claim the sweet prize it bears.

I grew up in a healthy family, neither rich nor poor. My parents work hard to satisfy everything we need. I did not know what to do, as I was not yet awake to reality. All I could do was study and bag awards as my reward for them. My mother tutored dozens of children while fulfilling her duties as a teacher and mother. My father endured everything while far from us. Now that I have grown up, it is time for me to pay them, and scholarships like these are my stepping stones.

I should be considered for a scholarship because I know my priorities well. Education is above all. I would never waste it on useless distractions. I am an achiever, and though I was under some financial problems, I managed to finish the school year with flying colors, achieving pillars of activities and giving the best outputs possible. Being a scholar allows me to become financially independent. I fear being a burden to my family. I want to fulfill my necessities almost entirely on my own. It has been 16 years since they prioritized my welfare rather than gifting themselves even the smallest. As an aspiring student-leader, I always use education as a platform to connect people, serve the community, and inspire the youth. I use my voice to enlighten and motivate my colleagues and peers.

My goals are simple. I aim to pass the entrance examinations of different universities. Not only does it prepare your brain and mental well-being, but it also cuts down the expenses from the review centers to the mock exams. Everything has a price to pay. Based on our situation, I cannot afford a review center, which I need. But I cannot afford to place myself in a university that will trouble me financially either. I also aim to finish the school year with High Honors and bag awards and certificates, which I am more capable of doing with the support of this scholarship.

In the last week of May, we will be moving out of our house, and finding a suitable one for the family is hard. But it is harder to think about the piled-up expenses and bills. Somehow, I hope this scholarship will benefit my academic career and aid us financially. I want to help my family by contributing to lessening the burden. I know I am more capable than what I have already shown. Through this scholarship, I can always do better.

Application Essay

Growing up as a child, I’ve been interested in various things—from dancing to competing in contests to writing poetry. Choosing a job that I aspired to be changed countless times since people started to ask me. That’s because I’ve always thought of the world as a train track with no definite rails—I have the freedom to choose whatever I do every now and then, so why should I not try everything? However, when I started to gain enough experience to form a “self”, I started to realize that I’ve always been interested in two things—mathematics and the Filipino language. Since then, I aspired to be a civil engineer—since that was what my parents had been telling me, given that I love mathematics and that they feel like I could make it.

In order to get to that one train station, I needed to take my first trip—I went to Quezon City Science High School. With a heart full of passion and determination, I tested the challenges of being a scientian, striving for the best awards and honors I could get to have my train set to that station. With the resources I only had with me, I brought myself—with the help of many other people, too, of course—to where I am now. I wasn’t the kid that had access to everything I needed, so I had to make resourceful ways to keep up with everyone. I thrived as a student from things that are easily accessible. Sometimes, I think that I might have attained transcendence, but further experience thinks otherwise.

With the approaching college admission tests—remarkably UPCAT—this scholarship program would be able to aid me in securing that train station, even though I changed it into being a specialist in computer programming. Moreover, this coming academic year also comes with numerous projects that would greatly benefit from financial help (e.g., entrepreneurship fair, capstone research project). Having support in these areas in the academy would help me greatly in worrying less about finance and being able to focus more on being a student with grades that are commendable, especially as there are universities and scholarships that are aiming to help students with that kind of trait.

Exit Essay

A statue is nothing but an amalgamation of chips that, by itself, is seen as a flaw. We are mere effigies defined by our defects, carved by our respective experiences, or even by ourselves. The thing about defects is that it is seen through a lens of scrutiny, never through individuality and expressiveness. Some cuts run so deep and long that they essentially become the focal point of the figure, while others could be as simple as a scratch—hard to see, but appreciated by the right pair of eyes. The presence of hollow spaces is also not impossible, events that shaved away a part of us, but do not express prominence.

Art is never finished; it is rather abandoned. We are masterpieces passed on to different hands, each leaving us with a new finish from time to time. I made my first footsteps in kisay—well, digitally—as a block with nothing but a spirit that burns with curiosity and passion, eager to see blocks of a similar kind. I initially thought I had to mold myself into something I am unfamiliar with, but to my surprise, the first few people I was able to connect with were barely different from me (well, most of them). In here, I was able to express myself freely, free from the judgment I used to bear—they get how I talk and joke. They, the Scientian community, grew closer to me, and I grew closer to them, that I started to see them as my people. They made me feel compassion like no other group of people did. We shaped each other in intricate ways, so complicated that I cannot even think of a word to describe it.

It is funny how it has been almost a month since I graduated, and I just wrote this essay today. I just cannot let go of Kisay that easily. I have grown very attached to it, and it is just sad that I took every moment I had with it for granted. 6 years was not so long after all, but I can still recall myself that one morning, during the first orientation for the online setup of Kisay, things about students in grade 11 were being discussed, and the only thing that I could think of was, “Ang layo pa naman niyan, ‘di na ‘ko makikinig,” but here, as I am typing this, I am already an alumnus—I have to remind myself that, by the way. I still have not grasped the fact I am an alumnus already, just like how I still need to remind myself that I am 18, too. How I wish I could relive the last 6 years and do things I regret not doing, and not do things I regret doing.

I am deeply grateful to the artisans who sculpted the very me I am today: my family, my friends, my teachers, my advisers, Kisay’s staff, and people that supported me in their own ways. We must remember that every detail of our figure is chiseled not to perfection, but to who we are destined to be.

Application Essay

“Tell me more about yourself,” a question I both like and hate. As someone who is still in the journey of learning about myself, I often find myself lost. Sometimes I want to pick up from an old hobby such as musical instruments or digital art and sometimes I want to just refine mathematical skills people praise me for. But either path I took I always found financial challenges and difficulties along the way.

All throughout my years in Junior High School I have been afraid to try new things fearing it might be only a burden to my single-mother who is raising me alongside my older siblings who failed to finish college due to our financial hardships. One day, I obtained the motivation to try participating in an international math competition only to go home and hear another fight due to disagreements in money.

At the start of my Grade 11, I was determined to finally discover my potential with my mother reassuring me about the expenses. I still had my doubts that eventually set me back. Even though she gave me reassurance I still could see her being more frequently sick, our sari-sari store having fewer products, and debts that started to pile up. With a registration fee that is equivalent to her monthly income, with my wavering mind still unsure if I would like to take a STEM-related college course, I wonder can it really be worth it?

My participation only led to failures, heartbreaks, and disappointment to myself back then. While trying my best to focus I still kept pondering the problems and stress that arise when going through the application process. Seeing the results with only “merit award” instead of any medal brought me down. And after a while, I realized that I want my career to be an artist. So I wondered again, was the money only wasted for a selfish reason?

Even after that I did not lose hope. Thinking back on the events in that academic year, I am an honor student, I handled my heaviest public speaking activity in my life, I did well on my first time being a leader in a research project, I found the goal I want to achieve, and I am still me. Instead of shrinking to despair thinking I became a burden to my family, I just tried to learn from it as an experience.

I believe that receiving financial support from the ANI Scholarship would open up more opportunities for my future. As I approach the college entrance examinations in Grade 12, I hope to ease the financial burden on my family and help reduce the stress we currently face. This support would not only allow me to focus more on my academic goals, but also give me the freedom to further explore and develop my artistic potential without restraint. our household. I would also like to remove my restraints on my artistic side, developing myself even further.

Exit Essay

I still remember the day my friend Abi recommended applying for ANI Scholarship, I was sighing while looking at my phone again seeing another registration for a math competition. In that time the sigh carried the financial burden I felt knowing the cost of training and registrations. The pressure from myself built up and eventually the burnout already became hard to ignore. I finally let go of my obsession with mathematics and decided to pursue my dream in creation and craft, in arts.

When I applied for the scholarship, doubts creeped into me as I believed I could no longer be the “best version” of myself. I abandoned my passion when I was still a kid thinking I’m not good
enough for it and I have been known all throughout my life as the math genius. This thinking was a bad habit of mine almost my entire high school, I always believed people had high expectations from me. I did research in solo during grade 11 and 12, I do not share struggles with people until I get over it, and I even don’t ask sometimes for extra money from my mother when needed, I just skip lunch to save all of this so as to not disappoint anyone having me in their lives. However ANI still welcomed me with open arms giving me support I would always be grateful for.

During the dinner with the other scholars, Tito Phil asked each of us what course we would be getting in college. In that room filled with future engineers and doctors, I reluctantly replied “fine arts” and instead of the usual unimpressed and shocked faces, I received enthusiasm and encouragement from everyone. I felt weight on my shoulders slowly being removed and that going for what I really love will be worth it. For me, ANI became more than a monetary aid but a community that will push me to be what I dream to be.

I know some wounds are still yet to heal and some up and downs are yet to come but I would like to show my appreciation to this trust given to me. Being given such help was not only an opportunity but a responsibility. A responsibility to grow, a responsibility to reach countless potentials. To be part of this wonderful community will be forever part of me that I will always look back to in the future and I will always find way to pay forward the push it gave me.

Application Essay

Like a seed planted in challenging soil, growing up in a less-privileged part of Quezon City sure was a struggle. How my childhood memories were marked by the sharp scent of cigarette smoke and the discordant sounds of midnight ‘inumans’. Far from the dream I envision myself in, far from the aromatic floral gardens one might yearn for.

Yet, even in that harsh soil, I was fortunate to have two steadfast ‘gardeners’, My hardworking parents. My father was lucky enough to work abroad, and even then only made enough for our necessities, while my mother did all she could do by being a housewife, budgeting everything and nurturing her ‘plants’, her children. Due to their hard work, we finally left our home soil and transferred to a new pot, a new home.

Our period of blooming was met with unforeseen droughts, though. The pandemic suddenly arrived, on top of the heavy cost of my older brother’s college education. It’s as if the soil we were in lost its nutrients and degraded. These deep roots have anchored me in a position full of pressure, holding on tight. As I started my journey in 2020, Quezon City Science High School has demanded endurance and excellence, pushing me to bloom despite the workloads, tears, and complaints that I often voice out.

These hardships have cultivated the strength, courage, and tools I need to thrive regardless of the season, regardless of what is to come. They have shaped me into a headstrong flower, always striving for what is right for me, and always blooming in adversities.

“Malayo ka pa, pero malayo ka na” is what I always repeat to myself when I feel down, to remind myself of the aromatic floral garden dream I have for my life. Like a Dandelion that sprouts regardless of the weed allegations, to the Lotus serenely floating in muddy waters, my experiences have taught me to not only be a flower to myself, but to be a sight to behold for others, striving for what I believe in and inspiring others through the process. The opportunity presented by ANI is the sunlight, dewdrop, and fertile ground I need to further my academic journey, and to pursue my dreams.

Exit Essay – Like Flowers In Concrete Cracks

I made my application essay all about plants in harsh environments, surviving and thriving despite their circumstances. What you may not know is that I made that my topic under the guise of my identity—being trans.

I’m still not completely out to my family. It was a long and tough journey to be here right now. Growing up in a rowdy, male-dominated household in a squatter area, I taught myself to be strong. In school, I always fought for my place, my identity, and my existence. I wanted to be seen, to be heard, and to be a beacon of light to those just like me. But in a long-rooted, traditional system that imposes gendered policies, a mere student like me with no position whatsoever could not resist that. And so I waned and just abided. This deterred my fighting spirit.

When Rhycka, a fellow scholar, provided me with this opportunity, I was ecstatic, knowing that I could finally help my family relieve some of our expenses. I started writing my essay passionately, thinking that I could express myself blatantly, but I took a step back and thought about what my image would look like. “Will they accept me?” “Would this ruin my chances?” “Is it worth it to fight for your place when they might not even let you through the door?” These thoughts led me to overhaul my essay completely.

What I didn’t expect was how much ANI made me feel like a family. When our fi rst dinner was approaching, I was so anxious about what our dear sponsors were going to think of me. To my surprise, I was even awarded ‘Best Speaker’. Nobody questioned my makeup, my mannerisms, or even my unconventional way of speaking. I truly felt seen for who I was, with no fear of being judged.

And when the second dinner came, I felt even more loved. I talked to so many people and was able to show who I was even more. ANI felt like the family I’ve always longed for. Each and every sponsor shared so much wisdom with us. I didn’t feel othered nor judged. I truly felt I belonged.

ANI gave me something beyond the stipend—it gave me a place in a community I didn’t think I belonged to, like a fl ower growing in concrete cracks. It reignited my passion to always stay true to yourself no matter where you are. I am so glad I overcame my anxiety over applying, attending dinners, and joining this wonderful community. I gained new friends, amazing advice, unforgettable memories, and what I consider second parents.

Thank you so much to the ANI community. I will forever be grateful for everything I have learned and received during my short-lived time with you. Facing college will be a little bit easier because of all the support, lessons, and love I got from this experience. May the future of ANI be even brighter and even more colorful!

Application Essay

At five years old, I stood on a broken cabinet door, pretending it was a stage. A comb in my hand became a microphone, my stuffed toys were my audience, and melodies poured straight from my heart. Then suddenly—CRKKK! The cabinet gave way beneath me. Yet even then, all that mattered was the dream of performing at church like my parents did. I wanted to feel their pride, hear the cheers, and make them proud. I guess I consider that experience as my first performance, and that I haven’t stopped since.

From my elementary school music club to high school, I’ve always seen performing as part of who I am. Performance has never been limited to singing; I’ve realized that I perform in different ways, whether it be through music or academics. Along the way, I’ve also learned that true performance requires discipline, resilience, and giving your best even through challenges. At the same time, I worked hard to excel in my academics, striving for high grades while balancing my other commitments. There were restless nights and times when I wanted to give up, but I realized that, like a song, life has highs and lows, and every note is worth finishing.

My growth also continued through my involvement in Himig Scientia and the Science Club. Serving as an officer in Himig taught me leadership, patience, and the importance of supporting others. I realized that I don’t always need to be in the spotlight to perform; sometimes, performing means stepping back, being the foundation for harmony, and helping the team succeed on the sidelines. All of my experiences have reshaped the way I view both performance and responsibility.

To me, the ANI scholarship is more than financial support; it is also a chance to pursue my dreams while honoring the values my parents and experiences have instilled in me: perseverance, humility, and dedication. Shakespeare once said, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” I’ve embraced my role not as someone who has it all, but as someone who makes the most of what life gives.

I am still performing, just like that five-year-old with a comb for a microphone, only now, life itself is my audience.

Exit Essay

Perhaps in every high school journey, every student faces a major hurdle, whether it is academic struggles, personal relationships, or financial instability. But despite all of those hurdles, everyone finds a way to move forward and carry on. My personal high school journey has been riddled with unexpected challenges. From losing my grandmother weeks after receiving the news that I got into Kisay, to dealing with unemployment and debt during the Pandemic. My story in Kisay hasn’t been the smoothest nor the easiest, but I’m glad I was able to survive it despite it all.

I still remember the first few months of returning to face-to-face classes back in the 9th Grade. It was the first time I had ever stepped outside of home and experienced actually going to the campus I’ve only seen in pictures. There were times when we had to wait until 7 pm just to have my father pick us up, to save on expenses. My father had been unemployed and had faced short job stints even after the pandemic. My parents have always tried their best to sustain our needs through various buy-and-sell businesses and “rackets”. But I often felt that we were living on the edge, barely surviving. My siblings and I faced many ups and downs together in Kisay, but we persevered and got the best grades we could.

When I first learned of the ANI Scholarship when Rhycka recruited me, I realized this could be the opportunity for me to ease my family’s burden and gain more freedom when it came to handling my academics. Beginning last July 2025, the ANI Scholarship has been more than just financial aid; it has become an opportunity for me to continue my studies without thinking of how I’ll be able to go home every day. There were also times when I didn’t have to worry about what to eat when I was in school, or how I could catch up with my friends’ activities, all thanks to the ANI scholarship.

Through ANI, I was able to pay for coach sessions in Himig Scientia that I otherwise would have thought would have been a bother if I had asked my parents. During Campus Ministry Choir rehearsals, my sister and I would feel hungry after a long day. Because of the added support of the scholarship, I was able to go buy food at Jollibee to get us through the night. Through the coach payments that ANI paid for, I was able to lead the choir and have a victory within the QC Youth Chorale Competition, where we proudly won the 1st Runner Up title! Similarly, during the ‘TV5 Tinig ng Pasko Chorale Competition,’ the scholarship covered our transportation and rehearsal expenses, allowing us to reach the semi-finals. These opportunities helped me grow holistically, gain new perspectives, and experiences that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Thanks to the ANI scholarship, I was able to find a more stable footing handling numerous activities at once. When it came to studying for both my grades and college entrance tests, I was able to focus solely on finding the right place to learn and finding quality review materials. This school year, I was able to get a With High Honors standing, ranking 28th among my batch, getting merit awards in UCSP (Understanding Culture, Society and Politics), CPAR (Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions), EAPP (English For Academic and Professional Purposes), 21st Century Literature, and PEH (Physical Education and Health). I also received an award in Work Immersion and Leadership. Truly, I feel blessed that I was given the support to be able to do my best not just with my academics, but also with my extracurriculars.

My college application results also didn’t come short-handed; I was able to pass all of my college entrance tests, which include UP, Ateneo, DLSU, UST, and many more. I was able to secure all of my priority courses and even securing a 100% scholarship to study BS Psychology at Ateneo.

But even through all of my extracurricular and academic achievements, life has a way of challenging me even further. Recently, my mother was found to have a tumor in her spine, just right next to her spinal cord. She had been struggling to walk for a while now, and that tumor explains all the pain she’s been suffering. We were only able to pay for the treatment due to my father’s new Job having benefits, asking for donations from close friends and relatives, and, of course, what ANI was able to provide. I remember the relief our family felt when, for once, we felt that we were secure enough to handle the medical bills; all we had to really endure were the recovery treatments to follow. Currently, I’m enjoying the summer with deep contemplations about which college to attend, while also trying to take care of my mother as she deals with the complications that come with Stereotactic Radiosurgery. She hasn’t been able to move that much and needs assistance whenever she goes to the bathroom or simply switches rooms. But despite this hurdle, I know that she’ll be able to have a full recovery in time and be able to walk with me to my University, in Jesus’ name.

I doubt that all of my achievements would have been possible without ANI’s help. Thank you so much to all the Titos and Titas for your unwavering support. What I will remember the most about my experiences will be our gatherings, where I got to know more about your life during and after Kisay. As someone who has always been interested in learning about someone’s experience or the history of a place, I was fascinated when I learned that you experienced the Kisay that didn’t have buildings, and even what college was like under Martial Law.

I am motivated by my dream of one day being able to give back the generosity and the blessings I have received during my education. I will carry the life lessons that my donors have taught me and live with new perspectives in mind. I hope to achieve even more in college and eventually use my degree to serve people. Once again, I am very thankful for the support and opportunity you have offered, and I hope to see you again very soon.