ILOILO – The Iskolar sang Iloilo Program (ISIP) of the provincial government has produced its first licensed chemist in the person of Brienz Athena Suaberon, 22, of Santa Barbara town.
Suaberon, daughter of single mother Ruth who is a food vendor, passed the licensure examination for chemists administered on Oct. 9 and 10. Her father, also a vendor, died a year ago.
Suaberon said she initially wanted to take up Biology or Medical Technology as she dreamed of becoming a doctor.
“However, my parents doubted if they could afford to send me to medical school. So they advised me to choose another preparatory course for medicine,” she said.
Suaberon chose Chemistry as she could work in a laboratory if she could not enroll in Medicine.
“I survived even though it was not my priority course. I believe you should finish whatever you have started,” she said.
Suaberon is a fresh graduate of Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at the University of the Philippines Visayas in Miag-ao town. Her full tuition and miscellaneous fees were shouldered by the provincial government.
She received a P2,800 monthly stipend, P2,000 book and P1,000 uniform allowances annually.
Her mother thanked the provincial government for helping less privileged but deserving students to achieve their dreams. She expressed hope that the capitol would continue to extend educational assistance to less fortunate students.
“If she did not qualify for the scholarship program, it would have been difficult for us to send her to college,” said Ruth.
ISIP has helped 763 scholars since 1995.
This year, the incentives have been increased from a monthly stipend of P2,800 to P3,500 and P2,000 book allowance from the previous P1,000. (PNA)
