Newsletter
Jane Rose Sison is one of the 200 new scholars of SM Foundation this school year 2020-2021 who come from financially-challenged families - but whose dreams and goals in life surpass their present challenges. Freed from financial concerns, they now strive for a degree with stronger determination and faith in themselves and their capabilities.
Jane Rose’s father works on a per project basis for an advertising company installing stickers, tarpaulins, and signages. While her mother on the other hand, is a housewife and tries to augment the family’s income by selling (on consignment) various products. Since both sources of income are not stable, her parents could hardly send her to college.
During the lockdown, her family had to sell charcoal-broiled food (anything they could afford to cook and sell) in the streets in order fund their day’s meal. But since the income from selling street food is not sufficient, they would borrow items from a sari-sari store, their relatives and even loan sharks, which aggravated their already-tight finances.
“We were worried for Jane because we know just how expensive college education is. Before she passed the SM Scholarship Program, we really don’t know how we will be able to provide for her studies – or if she will still be able to enter college“ said Jane’s mother during an interview.
Jane tearfully recalled: “Bata pa lang ako my father would always say ‘I will do everything just to provide you with education because that is my only legacy.’ So, I told myself I wanted to help by not being a burden to them in getting that college education.” Her father said he is proud of Jane Rose because he could see just how focused and how hard she studies her lessons. That Jane is really determined to make something out of herself through education. “Napaka sipag na bata yan si Jane Rose at kita mo sa kanyang mga mata na gusto nyang makatapos ng pag aaral. Kahit dumilim na, may hawak pa din siyang libro. Lagi syang nakatutok sa pag-aaral nya” Jane’s father said.
“When senior high school came, I finished with high honors because of hardwork and with God’s grace. I learned about the SMFI scholarship through my classmates and friends who asked me to join them in applying online. We only used my cell phone. Wala po kaming internet so we used the Wi-Fi in our library sa school”.
“Sobrang kinabahan ako kasi ang tagal bago ko nakita ang pangalan ko but when I saw it, I just wanted to cry and cry for joy. This is a big help. Finally, I can help my family with this scholarship. When I broke the news to my parents, we were all jumping with joy. Finally makakatulong na rin ako sa family ko” Jane Rose shared.
“Dahil sa scholarship ng SM Foundation, Nawala ung doubt sa puso ko na hindi ako makakapag aral dahil financially challenged ang family ko. Sa Sy family po, sobrang hulog po kayo ng langit. Sana po marami pa kayong matululungang mga kabataan na gustong makatapos ng pag-aaral. Wag po kayong magsawang tumulong kasi sobrang marami po ang nangangailangan sa tulong ninyo.
Jane Rose is currently taking up Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and dreams to be a Certified Public Accountant and a lawyer when she graduates.
