By Nanette Guadalquiver – PNA News
BACOLOD CITY — Ten more senior high school students in Negros Occidental received a three-year scholarship from the Miyakonojo Higashi High School in Japan’s Miyazaki Prefecture.
The group is the second batch of scholars from the province after the first, who left in April this year to study General Health and Automotive.
Negros Occidental Scholarship Program (NOSP) head Karen Dinsay said on Monday the grantees will fly to Japan in March next year.
Before leaving, they will undergo a Japanese Language and Culture Training at OISCA Bago Training Center beginning December 17.
The scholars include Helena Grace Gasataya and Ranzel Magbanua, both of Sagay City, Reneleen Apatan of Silay City, Faustinne Mar Bulanon of Talisay City, Zion Orven Gallo of Victorias City, Trisha Marie Lucio of San Carlos City, Curly Joyce Palacios of Cadiz City, Mark Amiel Doriman of Hinigaran, Hans Philippe Gubaton of La Castellana, and Lorraine Tudillo of Binalbagan.
Last Friday, the second batch of scholars signed a memorandum of agreement with Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Miyakonojo Higashi High School Chairman Yutaka Shimizu in rites held at the Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City.
Dinsay and School Vice Chairman Brian Wee witnessed the agreement signing.
The provincial government will provide financial support for the other expenses of the qualified students while the school will shoulder the full tuition, provide three-year full accommodation, ensure the scholars’ safety and security, and provide opportunity for further study after graduation.
Shimizu expressed his gratitude for their school’s partnership with the Negros Occidental provincial government, adding that their primary goal is to help bring the students closer to their dreams so they will come back to the Philippines and become leaders of the society.
For his part, Marañon said the first batch of scholars are performing well, and he hopes the second batch would do better.
This would not have been possible without the determination and patience of the benefactor to provide quality education to the poor but deserving Negrense youth, the governor added.
