‘We form our lives, we create ourselves, and you’ve helped me shaped my future—a brighter future!” shared by UE-TYKFI Scholarship Alumna, Ms. Michelle Nuguid in her response speech at the University of the East-Tan Yan Kee Foundation 17th annual Scholarship and Grantees Recognition Day. The event was held at the Grand Ballroom, Century Park Hotel last August 18, 2014.
TYKFI Chairman and President Dr. Lucio C. Tan was joined by Trustee Marixi R. Prieto, Trustee Paul Riley and Corporate Secretary Janet Tan Lee of Tan Yan Kee Foundation; UE Vice Chairman Jaime J. Bautista, Trustee Carmelita G. Mateo and Trustee Dante O. Tinga; UE Officers and Faculty members led by President Ester Garcia; UERMMMC President Romeo A. Divinagracia and Dean Alfaretta T. Reyes; and officers of the Tan Yan Kee Foundation. Also present were the past scholars and grantees. Dr. Tan personally congratulated the SY 2014-2015 new and continuing scholars and grantees numbering 262 (260 from UE and 2 from UERMMMC).
In her speech, alumna Michelle Nuguid recounted her reaction when she first heard that she was admitted to the scholarship program, “I have lofty dreams. I was 2nd year high school in the Sisters of Mary School when I first heard of this selfless Foundation. Hearing this, I felt it was a dream come true; the sound of free quality education for someone who could not afford it is like music to my ears. It enlightened my spirit. It fueled my strong desire to succeed…” She continued, “When my sister-in-charge told me that I passed this scholarship, I jumped so high that almost hit the ceiling. (Call it exaggeration but that was how I felt. I was in cloud nine.) The feeling of passing the UE-Tan Yan Kee Scholarship Exam.” She then bravely shared the challenge she faced at that time and how she handled it, “I was not born wealthy. I have experienced so many struggles in life... And I have promised myself that I would not stay in the rot. Just like a battlefield, I’ve tried to be firm. I’ve known for a fact that I was armored with my strong desire to succeed. My dream to become a Certified Public Accountant served as a tapestry.”
Parent and part-time faculty, Mr. Cayetano Geli inspired everyone to look at Dr. Lucio C. Tan as a role model, “If one is to evaluate Sir Lucio Tan’s key to success it would be this ‘GOALS plus ACTION = SUCCESS’. It is that to be successful in any endeavor, one needs to have Goals plus Actions to support for it to be a reality. GOALS will serve as your light house or as a beacon in your departure while ACTION will simply help you escape from your fantasy.” He continued, “If ever you would need a model to emulate take a look at Sir Lucio Tan for he will serve as your beacon in your today and days to come.”
Meanwhile, current student and scholar Louis Fernandez posted a challenge to his fellow scholars: “To my fellow scholars, let’s not waste this amazing opportunity given to us. All we need to do is work hard and believe in ourselves as much as the people around us do. Remember, this isn’t just for ourselves anymore. Let’s make our professors, our deans, our university and our parents proud.”
Dr. Lucio C. Tan’s Message
UE and Tan Yan Kee Foundation, Inc. take education—good education—to heart. We believe that higher learning is the solid foundation for growth and development.
My, father, after whom we lovingly named our Foundation, was a true believer and lover of education. He taught my siblings and me the value of hard work and learning. He believed that education is a key that opens many doors. To this day, I treasure my father’s wise counsel.
It is my sincere hope that all of you 77 new scholars and grantees and 185 continuing scholars will always work hard and strive for excellence. What you have is a rare opportunity to reach your dreams. As they say--carpe diem—or seize the day!
When I was in college, I had to support myself. Life was difficult then. My family didn’t have much. But I do not dwell on the hardships. Instead, I look back at the lessons learned.
I believe difficult times help shape character. The hardships made me appreciate that what comes from hard work and dedication are rare and lasting gems that can never be taken away.
It is precisely this wisdom that I hope you will take to heart. Work hard. Don’t waste time and opportunity. Think of how you can best help others and the country. Your scholarships are just the beginning. How you make use of this opportunity will ultimately spell the difference for you and your family’s future.
Congratulations to all of you.
At the end of the program, everyone especially the new scholars were fired up to do their best in the years to come. At the interviews, the scholars and alumna expressed their gratitude towards the Foundation for helping their families not just through the scholarship duration but moving forward as well, since they are now supporting their families financially. “I just want to promise that I will study harder and to graduate with flying colors. I want also to help Tan Yan Kee Foundation and University of the East in their mission towards quality education,” committed by April Dorothy Ellorin, BSA Scholar. Truly, as Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
In her speech, alumna Michelle Nuguid recounted her reaction when she first heard that she was admitted to the scholarship program, “I have lofty dreams. I was 2nd year high school in the Sisters of Mary School when I first heard of this selfless Foundation. Hearing this, I felt it was a dream come true; the sound of free quality education for someone who could not afford it is like music to my ears. It enlightened my spirit. It fueled my strong desire to succeed…” She continued, “When my sister-in-charge told me that I passed this scholarship, I jumped so high that almost hit the ceiling. (Call it exaggeration but that was how I felt. I was in cloud nine.) The feeling of passing the UE-Tan Yan Kee Scholarship Exam.” She then bravely shared the challenge she faced at that time and how she handled it, “I was not born wealthy. I have experienced so many struggles in life... And I have promised myself that I would not stay in the rot. Just like a battlefield, I’ve tried to be firm. I’ve known for a fact that I was armored with my strong desire to succeed. My dream to become a Certified Public Accountant served as a tapestry.”
Parent and part-time faculty, Mr. Cayetano Geli inspired everyone to look at Dr. Lucio C. Tan as a role model, “If one is to evaluate Sir Lucio Tan’s key to success it would be this ‘GOALS plus ACTION = SUCCESS’. It is that to be successful in any endeavor, one needs to have Goals plus Actions to support for it to be a reality. GOALS will serve as your light house or as a beacon in your departure while ACTION will simply help you escape from your fantasy.” He continued, “If ever you would need a model to emulate take a look at Sir Lucio Tan for he will serve as your beacon in your today and days to come.”
Meanwhile, current student and scholar Louis Fernandez posted a challenge to his fellow scholars: “To my fellow scholars, let’s not waste this amazing opportunity given to us. All we need to do is work hard and believe in ourselves as much as the people around us do. Remember, this isn’t just for ourselves anymore. Let’s make our professors, our deans, our university and our parents proud.”
Dr. Lucio C. Tan’s Message
UE and Tan Yan Kee Foundation, Inc. take education—good education—to heart. We believe that higher learning is the solid foundation for growth and development.
My, father, after whom we lovingly named our Foundation, was a true believer and lover of education. He taught my siblings and me the value of hard work and learning. He believed that education is a key that opens many doors. To this day, I treasure my father’s wise counsel.
It is my sincere hope that all of you 77 new scholars and grantees and 185 continuing scholars will always work hard and strive for excellence. What you have is a rare opportunity to reach your dreams. As they say--carpe diem—or seize the day!
When I was in college, I had to support myself. Life was difficult then. My family didn’t have much. But I do not dwell on the hardships. Instead, I look back at the lessons learned.
I believe difficult times help shape character. The hardships made me appreciate that what comes from hard work and dedication are rare and lasting gems that can never be taken away.
It is precisely this wisdom that I hope you will take to heart. Work hard. Don’t waste time and opportunity. Think of how you can best help others and the country. Your scholarships are just the beginning. How you make use of this opportunity will ultimately spell the difference for you and your family’s future.
Congratulations to all of you.
At the end of the program, everyone especially the new scholars were fired up to do their best in the years to come. At the interviews, the scholars and alumna expressed their gratitude towards the Foundation for helping their families not just through the scholarship duration but moving forward as well, since they are now supporting their families financially. “I just want to promise that I will study harder and to graduate with flying colors. I want also to help Tan Yan Kee Foundation and University of the East in their mission towards quality education,” committed by April Dorothy Ellorin, BSA Scholar. Truly, as Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
RSS Feed