Inquirer scholars graduate cum laude

PDI SCHOLARS | Jean Loriele Raoet (left), Angel Dale Marie Yabut and Jasmine Abbygail Boiser. (Photo by EUGENE ARANETA JR.)

MANILA, Philippines — Three journalism students from the University of the Philippines (UP) who are recipients of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Inquirer Foundation scholarship graduated on Sunday with flying colors — two magna cum laude and one summa cum laude.

Last September 2021, the Inquirer partnered with the UP College of Mass Communication for a shortlist of students who maintained grades not lower than 1.75 and needed financial assistance to pursue their passion for journalism as a career.

The grant includes a monthly stipend, allowances for books, school supplies, telco and internet services, a graduation gift, an Inquirer internship and a chance to be offered a job in the company within six months after graduation.

Jean Loriele Raoet, one of the UP College of Mass Communication’s summa cum laude for batch 2022, said many people are saying that “it’s bad timing” to graduate with a degree in mass communication.

“There is fear because of the ongoing attacks against the media but there is also the sense of responsibility and duty as alagad ng midya to use the platform in amplifying the truth given the rampant mis- and disinformation today,” she said.

Raoet, who worked around 10 part-time jobs during her undergraduate years, said the scholarship helped her continue doing remote learning as she used the financial assistance for her internet and gadget needs.

Her father works as a company driver and their family’s sari-sari store was forced to shut down because of the financial burden brought about by the pandemic.

For Jasmine Abbygail Boisier, also a working student, the scholarship helped in lessening her load at work so she can spend more time doing recreational and journalism-related activities.

“So instead of looking for ways on how to pay the rent or monthly dues, I was able to spend that time focusing on things that I love like writing and reading,” Boisier said.

For Angel Dale Yabut, the graduation ceremony was not the ending to all their hardships in the university.

“I believe that when we’re already in the field and working, we’ll really see how the real world is and how to cover stories,” she said.

Rudyard Arbolado, president and chief executive officer of the Inquirer, earlier said education and youth empowerment were just one of the advocacies of the Inquirer.

“We have always been at the forefront of improving the journalism profession with credibility, integrity and responsible journalism as the paramount consideration,” he said.

“We have nurtured 72 scholars since the program started and most of them became award-winning journalists and executives in other fields,’’ he added.

Established in 1993, the Inquirer Journalism Scholarship Program has extended financial assistance to more than 70 students from top schools such as UP Diliman, UP Los Baños, University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo de Manila University and the University of the East.

RELATED STORIES

Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inquirer Foundation welcome new scholars

Inquirer Foundation offers scholarships in Artkipelago courses