Vicsal scholarship: Helping students realize their dream

For 21-year-old Rechel Ann Zanoria of Consolacion town, the scholarship that Vicsal Foundation has granted her four years ago made her realize her dream.

Zanoria is the eldest in a brood of 6. Her father works as a machine operator in Cebu City and her mother sells food in a small carenderia.

With her parents’ meager income, she never expected she would graduate from college.

“At first I got scared to apply for a scholarship because I had to maintain grades. But I had to do it, ” Zanoria said.

She studied hard maintaining a grade not lower than 2 in all her classes. “I felt really blessed,” she said.

Through Vicsal Foundation’s scholarship program, Zanoria graduated BS Accountancy from Benedicto College in Mandaue City last March.

She said the scholarship program was not just about maintaining grades and excelling in school, Vicsal Foundation scholars go to different outreach programs.

Last May 2, Vicsal Foundation granted another 15 scholarships for this year.

Scholars will be going to college for free and will be getting a P2,000 monthly allowance and P3,000 book allowance. They will also be taking up courses of their choice.

“Receiving this scholarship from Vicsal is the key to the door that’s only half open. I know that with this privilege, I can open that door to success and find more doors that could lead me to the highest of the highest peaks,” Julienne Anjela Termoso, one of the new scholars, said in her speech during the granting of scholarship program held at Pacific Mall in Mandaue City.

Termoso will be taking up BS Accountancy at the University of San Carlos.

“My family had a hard time thinking how they can send me to college.” Termoso said.

Her mother is the sole bread winner of the family, working for her aunt who is a nun. Her paralytic father only stays at home.

She believes that with this scholarship she will be able to give back to her family and the people who helped her.

Since the scholarship program started in 2007, it has already produced 82 scholars. Vicsal Foundation is the corporate foundation of Metro Gaisano chain of stores and supermarkets. The foundation got its name from its founders, Victor and Sally in 1996. /Leslee B. Morales