PRESS RELEASE

29 May 2008

The National Press Club (NPC) and the Rotary International-Philippine Districts (RIPD) sponsored the college education, through scholarship grant, of some 20 deserving children of NPC regular members.

The college education support was made possible after NPC officials, led by its president Benny Antiporda and director Alvin Felciano, signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) last May 19 with RIPD officials, led by Danilo Fausto (District 3780), Francisco Atayde (District 3810), Rosita Celis (District 3820), Renato Magadia, Jr. (District 3830), and Joseph Michael Espina (District 3860).

The historic MOA was signed in the presence of Lyne Abanilla, RIPD public image resource group of Rotary International Zone 7 chairw2oman; and Renato Sunico, vice chairman.

The 20 students were chosen yesterday after they undergo a rigid selection process held at the Silahis Arts and Crafts along Juan Luna Street in Intramuros, Manila interviewed by Rotarians Robert Lane and Rose Imperial duly assisted by Antiporda and Feliciano, who is the NPC education committee chairman.

Also present at the event were NPC treasurer Amor Virata and auditor Atty. Toto Causing.

Antiporda noted that the college scholarship will cover tuition fees and other miscellaneous expenses, such as books and uniforms, while transportation allowance will be given on a case-to-case basis.

“The NPC, through my fellow officers and members, humbly accepts the generosity of the Filipino Rotarians in all the participating districts and acknowledge the valuable assistance to our needy members and their children,” Antiporda said.

While Imperial stressed that each of the deserving students were obliged to abide with the commitment to finish their studies and are asked to sign a covenant to maintain their grades at the level of being scholars.

At one point during the interview, emotions overcame one of the parents, a widow for six years, of the students after she cried as her only daughter was being questioned by Imperial on how she will described herself.

Angie dela Cruz, of Pilipino Star Ngayon (PSN), could not contain her tears as her daughter, Alice Marie, honestly answered Imperial.

Dela Cruz’s husband was knifed dead six years ago and was left to fend the education and expenses of her daughter.

The deserving and qualified 20 students were Luckyboy Alcala, Therese Bianca Baluyot, Christian Paul Bernabe, Michelle Borlongan and her cousin Z Borlongan, Maryjane Borromeo, Jamelle Ann Catapusan, Kiko Cortez, Gian Carla David, Gabrielle Paulo de Guzman, Kristine Lara Virata Espiritu, Jamine Junco, Jahati Leanillo, Eduard Michael Muli, Aldrin Salao, Inah Patricia Simon, Arnesto Son, Jr, John Carlo Vargas, Emmanuel Munar, Jr. and Rochel Rosario.

PRESS RELEASE

29 MAY 2008

20 anak ng mediamen, ginawang iskolar ng NPC at Rotary International Philippines District

TAPAT sa naging pangako, dalawampung anak ng mga mamamahayag ang libreng makapag-aaral sa kolehiyo matapos silang gawing iskolar ng National Press Club (NPC), sa tulong ng Rotary International-Philippine Districts (RIPD).

Ang katuparan ng nasabing libreng edukasyon ay naging posible matapos lagdaan nina NPC President Benny Antiporda, Director Alvin Feliciano, treasurer Amor Virata, auditor Atty. Toto Causing; RIPD officials Danilo Fausto (District 3780), Francisco Atayde (District 3810), Rosita Celis (District 3820), Renato Magadia, Jr. (District 3830) at Joseph Michael Espina (District 3860) ang isang memorandum of agreement noong Mayo 19.

Ginawa ang paglagda sa MOA sa harap nina Lyne Abanilla, chairwoman ng RIPD public image resource group of Rotary International Zone at Renato Zunico, vice-chairman.

Napili ang 20 estudyante kamakalawa matapos silang sumailalim sa mahigpit na selection process na ginanap sa Silahis Arts and Crafts sa Juan Luna St., Intramuros, Manila. Ang nag-interbyu ay sina  Rotarians Robert Lane at Rose Imperial na personal na inasistehan nina Antiporda at Feliciano, NPC education committee chairman.

Sinabi ni Antiporda na sasagutin ng college scholarship ang tuition fees at iba pang miscellaneous expenses, gaya ng libro at uniporme. Bibigyan din ng transportation allowance ang mga estudyante ngunit sa case-to-case basis.

 “The NPC, through my fellow officers and members, humbly accepts the generosity of the Filipino Rotarians in all the participating districts and acknowledge the valuable assistance to our needy members and their children,” ang galak na galak na sabi ni Antiporda.

Ayon naman kay Imperial, umaasa silang tutuparin at sisikapin ng mga estuyante na makatapos ng kanilang pag-aaral upang mamantina ang kanilang grado na hinahanap sa isang tunay na iskolar.

Samantala, naging emosyonal ang isang ina, balo para sa anim na anak, habang kinakapanayam ni Imperial ang mga napiling iskolar.

Hindi napigilang mapaiyak ni Angie dela Cruz, reporter ng Pilipino Star Ngayon (PSN), nang noon lang ipagtapat sa anak na si Alice Marie na pinaslang sa saksak ang kanyang ama ng mismong tiyuhin nito, kaya mula noon ay nahirapan na siyang tustusan ang kanilang pag-aaral na magkakapatid.

Ang 20 pa lamang sa 100 hinahanap na iskolar ng NPC at RIPD ay sina Luckyboy Alcala, Therese Bianca Baluyot, Christian Paul Bernabe, Michelle Borlongan at pinsang si Z Borlongan, Maryjane Borromeo, Jamelle Ann Catapusan, Kiko Cortez, Gian Carla David, Gabrielle Paulo de Guzman, Kristine Lara Virata Espiritu, Jamine Junco, Jahati Leanillo, Eduard Michael Muli, Aldrin Salao, Inah Patricia Simon, Arnesto Son, Jr, John Carlo Vargas, Emmanuel Munar, Jr. at Rochel Rosario.