Newsboy-scholars exhorted: Follow your dreams, make a big difference

PDI Chair Marixi Prieto delivers her speech during the awarding ceremonies of the PDI Newsboy Foundation on its 21st year held at the PDI office. INQUIRER PHOTO / RODEL ROTONI

MANILA, Philippines—Use education not only to improve your quality of life but also to empower the Filipino people.

This was the message of Inquirer chair Marixi R. Prieto to five young scholars of the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) Newsboy Foundation who were honored recently for being the most outstanding graduates of the past school year.

The simple ceremony held at the Inquirer main office in Makati City last Wednesday recognized Jerick Oronan (Quirino Elementary School, Quezon City) and Karylle Reyes (A. Albert Elementary School, Manila) in the grade school category, and Joana Marie Reyes (Ramon Magsaysay High School, Manila), Bryan Chan (St. Agnes Academy, Albay) and Steve HK Ng (Zamboanga Chong Hua High School, Zamboanga) in the high school category.

In her message, Prieto urged them to pursue their dreams while serving as guiding lights to others.

“Always remember that when you achieve your goals and dreams, it should not end there,” Prieto said. “Keep on dreaming and inspire others to find their own road to success.”

“Let us show the world that the youth can also make a big difference in building a better society,” she added.

Likewise, Manuel Andrew Chanco IV, Inquirer assistant vice president for circulation, told the scholars to inspire their fellow youth, especially those who cannot afford to go to school.

“Let us persuade other dealers to support more youths to go to school because we in the foundation are always more than willing to help,” Chanco said.

Speaking on behalf of the scholars, Chan thanked the Inquirer for providing for their education to help them fulfill their dreams.

“We assure you that we will do our best to study harder so that in the near future we can be a great help in nation building,” Chan said, now an Accountancy freshman at Bicol University in Legazpi City, Albay.

Aside from certificates of recognition, each scholar received P5,000.

Also present during the ceremony were Inquirer chief operating officer Renato Reinoso, assistant vice president for corporate affairs Connie Kalagayan and assistant vice president for human resources and administration Rolando Suarez.

Newspaper dealers from across the country attended the event, including PDI Newsboy Foundation dealer-trustees Victor Navarro (Luzon), Eduardo Clavero (Visayas and Mindanao) and Wilson Pascual, who attended on behalf of Danilo Jose (Metro Manila).

Part of the revenues from Inquirer copies goes to the PDI Newsboy Foundation. Since 1993, more than 1,000 grade school and high school students have been given scholarships through monthly stipends. The foundation started offering college scholarships in 1996. Regional newspaper dealers nominate candidates for the scholarships. Candidates may be newsboys or a first-degree relative of a newsboy and should be in the top 10 of his or her class. Rafael L. Antonio, Inquirer Research

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