Student-biker gets free tuition ride from Angkas

MANILA, Philippines — JV Ambrosio is on his third year as an electrical engineering student at the University of the East in Manila. Packed with an academic load of 31 units, he starts his day early at 7 a.m. for his first class.

Such schedule would be normal for most students but for JV, his day does not end in the campus. In order to support his education, he hops on his motorcycle after school for a side job as an Angkas rider.

JV admits that balancing his studies and work is challenging but he remains determined, recognizing this effort as crucial for realizing his aspirations for himself and his family.

In fact, JV is not just keen to obtain his degree, but has set his sights on topping the electrical engineers licensure examination. With his determination and drive, he jokes that settling for anything less than the top spot isn’t an option; he’d happily retake the board exams if needed, he says.

Looking ahead, his long-term vision as an electrical engineering student is to develop electric vehicles (EVs) to address soaring fuel costs and cut down on carbon emissions. His passion for EVs traces back to his childhood, when he and his father dreamed of crafting electric owner-type jeepneys.

When his photo as a student-biker went viral, he felt uncomfortable at first as some mistook his situation for seeking donations. He clarified he is self-reliant, underscoring his resolve to support himself.

And along the way, his hard work paid off.

Angkas CEO George Royeca took notice and arranged a meeting with JV, where he personally commended his dedication and pledged financial assistance to help cover his tuition for his remaining semesters.

“We set out this mission to really help uplift lives and ultimately, what we want to do is for people to help themselves. Everything that JV is doing right now – going to school, taking care of his family, and being an Angkas biker on the side, is really the accomplishment of our mission. We are so proud of him”, says Royeca.

JV, meanwhile, expressed his gratitude to Angkas for recognizing his efforts and for empowering him to pay for his education with pride and dignity. He expressed interest in his summer internship at Angkas, aspiring to become an Angkas engineer one day.