As every one is now aware of, the Municipal Government led by Mayor Armando Abad and the Sangguniang Bayan launched a scholarship program for college education for its poor but deserving students. The Sangguniang Kabataan Council of all barangays spearheaded this program and allotted a seed money in the amount of P50,000.00 out of their annual budget. The civic spirited associations based in the United Stated followed suit after an earnest appeal made by the Mayor and generously donated their hard earned dollars that led to the initial implementation of this worthwhile program. The SK Federation led by Philip Lumibao in the consultation with Vice Mayor Norman Mendoza drafted the mechanics and criteria in selecting the first batch of scholars and after a thorough screening resulted in naming the deserving scholars who has just concluded their first semester of tertiary education receiving a monthly allowance of P2,500.00 and will continue to receive the same stipend until they graduate. Who are these scholars and how are they now?

     Michelle Relanes Mariano], a 17 year old lass from Barangay Apatot. She is the oldest among three grand children of David Mariano, a marginalized fisherman, and Teressa Ralanes, a housewife. She is the granddaughter if the former barangay captain, the late Felix Mariano. She is a consistent honor student graduated salutatorian in elementary and as a valedictorian at the San Esteban National High School batch 2001. She is now enrolled at the University of Northern Philippines (UNP) Vigan City Campus taking up a 4 year course leading to a degree in Bachelor in Elementary Educations. She plans to teach elementary pupils in her beloved Barangay Apatot after she passes the licensure examination for teachers. This semester, she has shown diligence by being an above average student and was chosen as the class vice president. Her only obstacles is she was diagnosed to be suffering from rheumatic heart disease during her early years but is fortunate now because the symptoms have ceased to recur,

     Sheryl Agcamaran Elyado is 17 years old and the 7th out of ten children of Rodolfo Elaydo, a farmer and Felicitas Agcamaran Elyado, a housewife and hails from Ansad Centro. An honor student since elementary, she is the salutatorian at the san Esteban National High School Class 2001. At the prodding of an uncle, she decided to take up 5 year college leading to degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of northern Philippines (UNP) Vigan City. After the board exams, she will take experience from local hospitals then will try her luck abroad particularly in the United Stases where nurses are now in demand. This semester, she considers herself an above average student and has no problem with her board and lodging since he is staying at her mother’s ancestral home in Pagburnayan, Vigan. This coming 2nd semester, Sheryl is planning to apply for Provincial Government Scholar Program to augment her funds since she expects to spend on laboratory expenses and projects,

     Marvin Ayson Ebojo is 17 years old from Lipit, Poblacion and is the youngest among the three children of Mariano Ebojo, a farmer and Lydia Ayson who is an active Cantora at the Aglipayan Church. He is a member of Class 2001 of San Esteban National High School and graduated with honors. He is presently taking up degree of Bachelor of Secondary Education at the University of Northern Philippines (UNP) Candon City Campus. He chose this career because this interest him much. He plans to teach high school students and if given a chance will prefer to teach at his alumni school. This semester he has not encountered difficulties in his academics. He commutes daily to and from the school campus and on his idle time helps in daily household chores. Marvin ventures into politics but running as SK chairman last May in Poblacion but was not successful.

     There goes our three municipal scholars who are trying their best to finish their respective chosen careers. The have become familiar faces at the Municipal Hall where they draw their monthly stipends from the municipal treasurer who has opened trust fund exclusively for the scholarship program. This program was undertaken by the municipal government because it realizes that education is the best answer for poverty as taught to us by our national hero, Jose Rizal.