How much is P400 worth to you?

For some it could be a meager amount probably just enough for three value meals at a fast food chain, an hour stay at a massage spa, and other perks to provide them temporary happiness

For Jocelyn Aligata, it is worth her future. For her, it could already buy her many things she needs for her school projects to be able to pass her subjects.

“Amo na (P400) ang pinakadaku nga napadala nila Mama kag Papa para sa akon allowance (That is the biggest amount that Mama and Papa sent for my allowance),” she said.

And that motivated her to study harder.

Jocelyn, 23, is among the six Students Grant-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (SGP-PA) scholars who received medals as academic awardees during the “Pasidungog 2014” recently held at the WVSU-CAF campus in Lambunao, Iloilo.

The incoming third year Bachelor of Science in Forestry said it was her first ever award in school.

The other SGP-PA scholars who are academic awardees are Jovelyn Dulman, Johnny Lutrago, Rey-An Montes, Irene Ortega, and Ledy Villarma, all taking up Bachelor of Science in Agriculture.

SGP-PA scholars

Jocelyn’s father, Juanito Aligata, 56, is a fisherman, and her mother, Rosario Aligata, 48, a housewife of Zone I, Barangay Tagda, Hinigaran, Negros Occidental.

“Sang primero nabudlayan ko kay nakulbaan ko. Lima ka tuig na bala nga wala ko kaeswela (At first it was difficult because I was nervous. It has been five years since I quit schooling),” she shared. “Nalipay gid ko sang nabal-an ko nga nakuha ako nga scholar sang SGP-PA (I was so happy when I learned that I became a scholar of SGP-PA).”

Being a scholar, Jocelyn is entitled to a free tuition, uniform and book allowance which total to P60,000 a year.

“Pero kung kis-a, kung damo gid projects kulang ang allowance ko, amo nga gapangayo ako nila Mama. Ang ginapadala nila sa akon kung ano lang makaya nila eh kay syempre pigado man (But sometimes, when we have many projects, my allowance as scholar gets short so I ask money from my parents. They send me what they can just afford because my family is poor),” she said.

Trying to hold back her tears, Jocelyn related the hardships they have gone through while she was growing up. “Pero wala kami kaagi nagutman kay mapisan si Papa kag kung wala na gid kami makaon nagahulam kami bugas sa tupad balay (But we never got hungry because Papa always find a way and when we don’t have something to eat we borrow rice from our neighbour).”

At 18 years old, Jocelyn went to Manila to work as househelp to be able to augment what her father earns from fishing and to help send her younger siblings to school.

Another SGP-PA scholar, Jhonny Lutrago, from San Isidro, Toboso, also of Negros Occidental, did not only finish his second year as Academic Awardee. He was even elected as the college representative to the Student Council of WVSU-CAF.

A typical case of a “sacada boy,” Jhonny is also giving his all not only to be able to finish his studies but also to excel. However, unlike Jocelyn, who got her first ever medal only in college, he has been a constant achiever since grade school.

“Proud gid ako kay nahatagan kami sang tsansa nga makaeskwela kag sa high standard pa nga eskwelahan amo nga gatuon gid ko sing maayo. Kag gusto ko gid nga makabulig sa akon pamilya nga makatibawas sa kapigadohon (I am very proud because we were given a chance to study in a high standard school. I really want to help my family out of poverty),” he said.

Happy but sad

“Ang medal ko subong isa ka pamatuod nga wala gid sang imposible kung nagahandum kag nagatutom ang isa ka tawo. Average student lang gid ko halin sang una, pero ginahimo ko gid ang best ko kay goal ko gid nga makatapos kag makabulig sa akon pamilya (This medal is a proof that there is nothing impossible if one has a dream and that person works hard to achieve that dream. I was just an average student but I am doing my best because it is my ultimate goal to finish my studies to be able to help my family),” she added.

Jocelyn is the only one in the family who is able to study in college. Her two sisters, who are high school graduates, are working as a sales lady and a househelp, respectively. Jocelyn was also working as househelp in Manila when she learned she was chosen to be an SGP-PA scholar and she never had a second thought accepting it because “it was a dream come true.”

“Nalipay gid ako kay first time ko nga naka-medal. Pero nasuboan ako kay wala diri si Mama kag si Papa subong (I am so happy because this is the first time that I received a medal. But I am also sad because Mama and Para are not here right now),” she said misty-eyed./dswd6/Wenna B. Bendol