Northern Luzon Pathways

Colegio De Dagupan Pathways - Achiever's Society in Action

2006-02-23T18:25:00.000-08:00

The Achiever's Society launched their Pocketbook Rental Fund Raising Activity last February 22, 2006. Headed by Ms. Hazel Therese Ussher, the group is already increasing the number of its members, mostly involving the presidential scholars of Colegio De Dagupan whom they have helped.

Ms Hazel Therese Ussher and volunteers as they prepare the opening of their booth during their foundation day.

The core group of volunteers with their moderator as they pose for a shot infront of their booth.

Volunteers during the commitment setting activity.

The Colegio De Dagupan Achiever's Society just also finished their test taking strategies for 60 plus high school students who will be taking their exams for the Presidential Scholarship program of CDD. Future activities will also include continuation of their Multiple Intelligences workshop sessions for both volunteers and scholars as well as a recollection for volunteers.

Pathways Scholar for the Month of January

2006-02-23T17:54:00.000-08:00

Migrant Worker’s daughter does her family proud!
By: Narliza Benter

As a child Donna Marie Alcantara was no different from the others. In her grade- school years, Donna, as her friends called her, usually spent her time playing without worrying about life. Back then she was studying in a private school in Baguio City. Her father worked as a laborer in a company and was earning enough for his family; her mother sold barbecue to augment the family in come. Life seemed good.
When Donna reached Grade 6, her mother decided to work abroad as a housemaid. As with other children of OFWs, Donna found the separation difficult. She remembers enduring loneliness and the pang her mother’s absence.
“ Although our financial situation improved a bit, it still could not replace having my mother around. “ Gifted with a maturity beyond her years , Donna decided to pour all her energies on her studies instead.
Despite the hard work of her mother and father, money was still hard to come by for the family. Classes were about to start when Donna was informed that the family could no longer shoulder some of her school expenses.
It was another storm that Donna had to weather. It was bad because my classes would tease me about my ratty old uniforms and the fact that I always had to borrow school materials. I felt like I had no choice because we just didn’t have enough money to buy all those things.”
We she was about to enter high school, she transferred from a private school to a public one. Fearful for her future but determined to succeed. Donna worked hard until she found herself part of the Pathways to Higher Education Program in Saint Louis University in Baguio City.
Pathways to Higher Education is an innovative education program of Ateneo de Manila University, having regional offices in Baguio Marbel and Bulacan, that aims to help send academically gifted but marginalized public high- school students to college. Instead of giving dole outs and scholarships, Pathways offers impoverished high school students academic enrichment classes, supplementary learning activities, and learning resource centers to enable them to study well and earn scholarship to the schools and courses of their choice. It opened a lot of doors for Donna and finally the Rafael Roces Memorial Scholarship Program provided her with a full scholarship.
Now a sophomore at Saint Louis University, Donna is well on her toward fulfilling her dreams of providing a better future for her and her family.
“ Someday I want to build up my own school, a school that can help marginalized students develop and enhance their talents, skills and abilities. I also dream of becoming a teacher who will serve the country and help bring out the best in students, a teacher who deals with people, touching life and letting them realize that everything happens for a reason.”
Donna’s family is her source of inspiration.” My family is my source of happiness. In the end, I just want to give them a more comfortable life. It is true that I am going through a lot of trials in life; I still find myself praying to God asking for help, guidance and support. I cannot allow one difficulty to defeat me, to crush the dreams that years of hard work and dedication have built. I must hold on to my dreams and believe that I can do it."

2nd Northern Luzon Pathways Regional Meeting

2005-12-18T17:23:00.000-08:00

The recently concluded 2nd Regional Meeting was participated by five of the eight partner schools of the SLU Pathways in Northern Luzon. The said meeting featured sharing of different Pathways initiatives of the schools, as well as their best accomplishments in their own areas. It was held last Decemebr 13, 2005 at the Rizal Bldg., AVR of Saint Louis University, Baguio City. A total of 20 participants attended the said activity.

Not included in the list are:
Benguet State University headed by Mr. Raymund Pawid
Colegio de Dagupan headed by Ms. Hazel Therese Ussher
University of Baguio headed by Mr. John Go

Featuring the Northern Luzon Pathways partner youth groups:

Saint Louis University - Vinculum Club - Baguio City
Headed by: Mrs. Chit Florentin

University of the Cordilleras - Baguio City
Headed by: Mr. Labio Calingayan (Not in picture)

The Partner Youth Groups from the Northern Luzon Pathways Area 2
University of Saint Louis Tuguegarao(Tuguegarao, Cagayan) headed by Mrs. Estrella Pichay(middle--no volunteers present)
Saint Mary University(Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya)Core Group of volunteers with their moderator, Dr. Corazon Abriam(third from right)

Saint Louis College, San Fernando City, La Union
Headed by: Mrs. Nella Brenda Espinueva

Watch out for more blogs from our group! :) --------------->>>>Next blog...Pathways Youth Groups Major Activities and best accomplishments!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL! :)

Pathways Story for the Month

2005-11-12T11:50:00.000-08:00

Pursuing Dreams… Pursuing Life

By: Rodrigo Ansagay

To be one of the elite group of students in the country garnering national awards for excellence last 2004, like the Ulirang Kabataan of the Philippines and the PGMA Leadership and AcademicExcellence, Rheina Lapeňa, a UP Baguio sophomore, not only wants to develop herself more, but more importantly, to be able to serve more.

“Challenges are merely instruments for us to become better and stronger persons... They are part of our lives…and I’m very proud that I am able to hurdle all those challenges.” says Rheina. “When I was a freshman, second semester, I had to sell AVON products just to add to my allowance because my academic scholarship is not adequate enough to pay for my other expenses like projects and researches. I even used my honoraria as an SK Chairperson of our barangay just for schooling.”

Being a student at the same time a leader in their barangay, it was often difficult for Rheina to manage her time very well, always being torn between two major responsibilities, not counting her family obligations. Life, as it is for a 17 year old teen, Rheina barely has time even to go out with friends anymore.

“I love inspiring and advising people. That’s why I said to myself, perhaps I could inspire more people, share with them all the struggles I have encountered in life and how I will hurdle them after I graduate.” says this budding political science student. “I am a patriotic type of person. Someday I dream of becoming an instructor (most specifically at PMA) to inspire the cadets (and other people as well) to help and serve the Filipino people,” as she recalls failing to take the PMA entrance exams because of her height deficiency.

But this didn’t stop Rheina from serving other people. She now wishes to enroll in a Law school after her undergraduate and masteral courses. And being in a family of six siblings, all of whom are scholars in various universities in Baguio, there is that high expectation from herself to achieve more than what they have reached... and driven to these aspirations, she wants to take her dreams one step at a time.

“Upon joining the Pathways program, I became more confident. I learned to deal with other people much better and I realized the value of companionship, teamwork, unity and cooperation because of the workshops and trainings given by Pathways. I also learned and understood much better the value of volunteerism. I believe that if each Filipino, would develop the spirit of unity and volunteerism in our society, it’s not hard for us to achieve the success and progress that we are all aiming for,” says the Ten Outstanding Youth of Baguio awardee.

Pathways to Higher Education is an innovative education program of Ateneo de Manila University, with regional offices in Baguio, Marbel and Bulacan, that aims to help send academically gifted but marginalized public high school students to college. Instead of giving “dole-outs” and scholarships, Pathways offers impoverished high school students with academic enrichment classes, supplementary learning activities, and learning resource centers to enable them to study well and earn scholarships to the schools and courses of their choice.

Rheina now enjoys her scholarship in UP- Baguio, being a public servant as an SK Chairperson. Pathways continue to look for more opportunities and scholarships to help her more in her studies. “Someday, I also dream of establishing a foundation that would help students who are less fortunate yet willing to pursue their college education. If pathways still exists, then I would be one of its sponsors.” She realizes how hard it has been for her, what more for those who are more less-fortunate than her, having no scholarship at all.

“Being a college student is not an easy thing to deal with. I met a lot of challenges along my way ¾ busy schedule, challenging projects/requirements, high expectations from other people, gossips, family problems, etcetera. I became wiser in the trades of life and I was finally able to understand things that baffled me when I was younger. I became more aware of the needs of my surroundings and I always strove to find ways of contributing to our community.”

Pursuing her dreams… her life, is what fuels Rheina to become a better person. Realizing that it is not only her dream that is at stake but also the dreams of other people around her and the people she will be serving in the future.

“Nothing is impossible if we do our best and if we are really determined to reach our goals,” shares Rheina. “We just have to remember that God is always there to help us along the way, and be aware of His plans for us. If it is not meant for us, then He may have better plans ahead. God will never give us a load, too heavy to carry.”

Her life, her dreams, roots from many sources of love and inspiration. She found all those. She will strive to help others find theirs too.