Orphaned scholars get college degrees

GENERAL SANTOS CITY—Jether Montano had a bittersweet celebration when he passed the licensure examination for certified public accountants (CPAs) last month.

Jether is the eldest son of Mariel Montano, one of the 32 journalists who was killed in the Nov. 23, 2009, massacre in Ampatuan, Maguindanao province.

“She worked hard so we could have a better life and education. Now that I’m a CPA, I know she is very proud of me,” Jether said, referring to his mother.

Maura Montano, the 76-year-old grandmother of Jether, described how her grandson broke the news of his passing the board exam.

“He came home crying. He just cried and cried while hugging me tightly. Then he said, ‘Lola, I passed,’” Maura said.

“I know he wanted to dedicate this feat to his mother. The hardships we all went through, the trauma and loss,” she added.

Maura said Jether became a CPA a month before the seventh anniversary of the election violence that killed  58 people.

“At least we have something to celebrate,” Maura said.

NUJP scholars

Jether was one of the 64 scholars of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP).

Four other children of slain journalists have also finished college. Among them are Roy Perante, son of Ronnie Perante, and June Colleen Maravilla, daughter of Ernesto Maravilla. Perante and Maravilla finished criminology.

“Without the help of the NUJP,  we may not have been able to have a degree. We are grateful that the NUJP people were persistent in monitoring so we could finish our college education,” Perante said.

Perante still has to take the board exam.

“I don’t know where to get the money for the board review,” he told the Inquirer.

Allowance and tuition

The NUJP gives P3,000 monthly allowance for college scholars and P8,000 per semester for tuition.

NUJP secretary general Dabet Panelo said the group had 24 scholars from the families of the slain journalists.

“Scholarship helps them move forward. It is not just about financial assistance, NUJP local chapters, media colleagues and even themselves help each other cope with the situation,” Panelo said.

Foreign and local journalists and media organizations financed the scholarships for the children of the slain journalists.

Passing the hat

“They pass the hat twice a year during their assembly and whatever they collect, they send  for the scholarships of the children,” Panelo said.

Media companies in the Philippines, such as the Philippine Daily Inquirer, GMA 7, ABS-CBN and other news organizations also extended assistance for the children’s education.

In Maguindanao, Salama Musa cried as she narrated how her life was upended when her mother, Meriam, died seven years ago.

Mangudadatu supporter

Meriam was among those killed in the massacre. She was a supporter of then Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu, now the governor of Maguindanao.

Mangudadatu’s wife, two sisters and supporters were on their way to Shariff Aguak town to file his certificate of candidacy for the governor, challenging the Ampatuans.

On their way to Shariff Aguak, the Mangudadatu convoy, along with 32 journalists, were blocked by armed men led by Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr.

The convoy was then led to the interior village of Masalay in Ampatuan town where the killings happened.

Salama  said her family’s life drastically changed when her mother died.

“Me and an elder brother had to look after our siblings,” she said.

Better future

Salama accepted the education assistance offered by Mangudadatu. After finishing a course in information technology, she was hired as an employee of the provincial government.

“We have to continue living,” she said. “But we still seek justice.”

Mangudadatu told the Inquirer that for as long as those orphaned by the massacre need assistance, he will be there to help.

“They need to finish schooling for them to have a better future,” he said. “And I will be there whenever they need me.”