Inquirer selects 3 new UP journ scholars

NEXT BATCH Andre Esguerra (right), Jaemie Talingdan (center) and Lau Bacia were chosen from a short list of candidates provided by the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication. —Lyn Rillon

MANILA, Philippines — Three University of the Philippines (UP) students join this year’s Inquirer journalism scholarship program.

Out of six candidates chosen by the UP College of Mass Communication, third-year students Andre Esguerra, Lau Bacia and Jaemie Talingdan were selected for the grant’s 31st year.

For the latest scholarship, the Inquirer Foundation linked up with its first corporate partner AboitizPower to provide each of the scholars a P50,000 grant per semester for their last two years in UP, totaling P200,000.

Within three months after their graduation, the scholars may be offered to work in the Philippine Daily Inquirer for a year.

READ: Inquirer, AboitizPower partner up for journalism scholarships

“Our job is to enable you to achieve your dreams, aspirations; that’s what we want to achieve for each batch of scholars,” Inquirer President and CEO Rudyard Arbolado said in the contract signing program at the UP Diliman University Hotel on Friday.

“We know you like to study and have a heightened awareness of the role of journalism—we’re here to support that,” he added.

AboitizPower vice president for corporate affairs Suiee Suarez told the scholars: “We’re just really pleased to partner with [UP] and with the Inquirer …. Now, you bring it to fruition.”

“This is a way to give back and enable the fullest potential of the next generation,” he added.

Pandemic toll

The scholars said the grant would support their families’ financial needs. Esguerra and Talingdan themselves had to work while studying to cover their expenses and those of their families.

A big reason behind Esguerra’s drive is his father’s death due to cardiac arrest in 2021. Esguerra, then in senior high school, worked the night shift at a call center in Quezon City. Now 20, he takes writing commissions to support his studies.

“[My father’s death] was a shock. It was the pandemic—our family’s resources were depleted. He was the only one working in our [family]. We were [running] out of money,” he said. “[Now,] I’m gonna have the chance to finish my studies. Having this scholarship—that’s my chance to continue.”

Talingdan’s father died of kidney disease in August 2020—also during the pandemic.

“At the time, we were struggling financially because we took him to dialysis thrice a week. Even with insurance, we were still paying [the hospital bills],” she said.

Talingdan, 21, used to work as an English tutor to young students, but shifted to work as a coordinator for a nongovernment organization to suit her busy academic schedule.

Bacia’s family was not spared from the pandemic either. His father lost his job as a liaison officer in a furniture company amid the lockdowns. He then worked as a cab driver for a ride hailing-app company.

“[The pay] is not so big, but … it’s what keeps us afloat,” Bacia said.

His relatives shelled out money to help his family. Bacia, who is from Bacoor, Cavite, has been staying at his aunt’s house in Batasan Hills, Quezon City, for college.

“I’m a testament to the saying that it takes a village to raise a kid,” he said.

Inspiration

The scholars said they want to draw inspiration from their experiences when they enter the Inquirer.

Esguerra said he wanted to cover labor stories “because I know how it feels. Even my dad, he [faced] the problem of job security. [And] I’m not the only one experiencing this.”

“What interests me are human-interest stories. There are many, many untold stories,” Talingdan said.

The three students will join a roster of more than 80 Inquirer scholars from schools such as UP, University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo de Manila University and University of the East.

Throughout their scholarship, the candidates must maintain a semestral average of at least 1.75.

“At this age, you have the world at the palm of your hands,” said AboitizPower public relations assistant vice president Abbey Tomas. “I hope you take advantage of this opportunity and we look forward to the path that you would take.”

“There are many responsibilities that come with this opportunity, [but] I decided to push through,” Bacia said. “It feels good that you get to do what you love and you’re supported, and you have the potential to help other people in the future.”