Two Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management students received scholarship grants yesterday from the Korea-Philippines Festival Cultural Exchange Association (KPFCEA) on October 24, 2022. The certificates were personally awarded by Professor Junghwan Kim, Chairman of the association.
Joshua Romano Gayares and Ashley Vine Lepaopao, both in their 2nd year, were among the ten scholars who were selected by a Korea-based committee and consultants in the Philippines. The selection process involved screening of documents and virtual interviews. There were originally 32 nominees from different colleges and universities in the Philippines.
Three of the ten scholars are from Negros Occidental, two of them from La Consolacion College Bacolod.
In his response speech, Gayares said that the grant would be a big help at this time when his parents’ income could hardly suffice amid the rising costs. “Having been selected as a KPCEA scholar opens up opportunities for us to succeed. Through this scholarship I hope that I will be able to expand my friends and network not just in the Philippines but also in Korea”, he said.
“I thank my alma mater, La Consolacion College Bacolod, for all the support they extended to us, and for the constant encouragement and motivation to succeed”, he added.
Gayares was among the four who received a higher grant from the association, while six others were personal scholars of some members of the association like Lepaopao.
“We are very honored to receive this grant. The scholarship will allow us to concentrate more on learning as it inspires us to strive for excellence, to serve, and to learn how to serve better”, Lepaopao said.
LCC Bacolod President Sr. Joan Infante, OSA congratulated all the student beneficiaries of the grant. She thanks the KPFCEA for their continued advocacy for the promotion of cultural education and friendship between the Philippines and Korea.
“I am very proud of our students Ashley and Joshua. May this opportunity foster their love for learning and inspire them to continue to excel, to offer their best to the service of God, the source of all our gifts and talents”, she said.
Last academic year, two students from LCC Bacolod were among the three pioneer recipients of the grant. All of them graduated with Latin honors.
The awarding ceremony was hosted by Colegio San Agustin Bacolod. Together with Professor Kim were Bacolod-based members Hon. Councilor Em Ang, Sandra Sycip, Pushpa Menghnani-Tan, and Rudy Reveche.