Another testament that with hard work and dedication, nothing is impossible.
In 2021, a senior high school student from Isabela took a leap of faith and applied to universities abroad, without expecting anything in return.
And he succeeded. He did not just receive one, but seven admission offers from prestigious universities abroad, with scholarship grants totaling P11 million.
Benjamin Bagui plans to accept the $100,000 or P5 million Presidential Scholarship from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.
He aims to enroll in the university’s architecture program in fall 2022. But he is worried about the huge expenses from arranging papers and his flight to the United States.
“Nung una po di ako nakakatulog, kasi iniisip ko paano ko siya ipoprocess. Kasi sa pag fi-fix pa lang ng documents it costs a lot of money,” he said.
“Maswerte po ako kasi naka recieve po ako ng presidential scholarship. Milyon po kasi ‘yung ginagastos doon for daily living. Masyadong mataas po ‘yung nareive ko na scholarship that’s why may sobra po na para sakin. Ang icocover lang po talaga nung scholarship na yon is the tuition fee and the housing, wala pong allowances,” Benjamin added.
Benjamin said that it was his life-long dream to study abroad.
“Since I was a kid, I’ve been dreaming on how can I study abroad. It all started in a vision, it all started in a dream. So nung nag silabasan na po ‘yung mga resulta it felt surreal, because I didn’t just passed one, didn’t passed two. I passed all the seven schools I applied internationally,” Benjamin recalled.
He also passed admission exams from several prestigious universities in the Philippines including UP and UST.
Benjamin is a product of an untraditional family. Growing up, all he wanted to do was to become successful to pay back his biological parents and his Tita Janet, who adopted him.
“Nalaman ko lang po ito when I was elementary. Nung kinder po ako dun na po nagstart lahat binigay na po ako ng parents ko sa tita ko. Wala po siyang asawa at anak, so ako na lang po ang inalagaan niya,” he shared.
Benjamin’s biological parents are also staying in the province and also helping out with his expenses. He also has six siblings.
But his personal problems were never a hindrance to excel in school. In fact, he used it as a motivation to continue fighting for his dreams.
Benjamin was a consistent achiever from grade school to high school. He finished his junior high school from a public school in Isabela. In senior high school, he received full scholarship at the Advance Montessori Education Center of Isabela, Inc.
Benjamin said that if he is lucky enough to study abroad, he will finish his degree and go back to the Philippines to share his knowledge.
For those who wish to help Benjamin, you may send your donations thru:
GCash
09154396080- Gemma B.
BDO
002662560246-Jaycee Baui Alingod
