Kalibo engineering students get financial support from rebranded LCC

MANILA, Philippines - Eight aspiring engineering students were named scholars recently by Tiger Air Philippines in fitting ceremonies held in Kalibo, Aklan.  The announcement was made on the eve of Tiger Air’s inaugural Singapore-Kalibo flight.

Instead of an opulent launch, Tiger Air Philippines decided to spend on an investment for the future as the regional airline giant announced the granting of scholarships.

Tiger Air Philippines president and chief executive officer Olive Ramos said that “rather than a fancy launch, the company decided to allocate funds on something that would create impact on the community, by supporting future Engineers.”

“I believe that the future of the Philippines will depend on the next generation. Instead of than spending this money on festivities, why don’t we use the money on something that will build the future of the Filipinos?” Ramos said.

The Kalibo scholars who were presented to the media were: John Ross Guarino, Jun Teodisio, Ariel Ricafuente, Jephthah Gumban, Jimzel Rebano, Kermith Motus and Dexter Tabia and Joan Marie Tadia, all from Garcia College of Technology. Tadia, a second year Electrical Engineering student stood out among all scholars being the only female.

When asked how it felt holding that distinction, Tadia was confident in saying that she can keep up with her male colleagues.

“Whatever men can do, women can also do,” she said.

Ramos mentioned that aside from the usual grade and family income requirements, Tiger Air looked more into character to select the scholars.  Saying that “values are more important than academic achievements,” Ramos hopes that this batch of scholars would also be able to help and create an impact to society in the future.

Ramos, a scholar herself during her college days in Polytechnic University of the Philippines where she graduated cum laude while taking up accountancy, knows the importance of having financial assistance for education particularly for the students undergoing financial constraints. 

Aside from the scholarship grants, Tiger Air also donated 20 new computers to GCT, to ensure that the students get top notch facilities to further aid them in learning.

Former Panay Governor Carlito Marquez, an engineering graduate himself, played a major role in convincing Tiger Air to partner up with GCT.  The governor recommended the college based on its impressive track record in board exams. An alumnus of Mapua, Marquez called GCT the “Mapua of Aklan”.

GCT is situated in the heart of the capital and was establish to answer to the call for advancement in the technological fields and educational needs of the youth in Aklan, Antique, Romblon, Capiz and other provinces nearby in Region VI. The school takes pride in saying that it caters “Affordable and quality education for all”.

“Poverty is not an excuse for those who really want to perform well,” the former governor said, while adding: “It is not a hindrance to people who want to achieve success.”

Since its inception in 1968, the college has produced 14,101 graduates with 1,036 of them passing different board examinations. The school have also produced eight passers who have cracked the top 10 in board examinations.

The college was recently awarded by the Professional Regulation Commission a certificate of recognition for ranking second among schools with 14 or more examinees during the electrical engineering licensure examinations last April. The school registered an impressive 87.5 passing rate during the exams.

The scholarships grants highlighted Tiger’s continuous support to the development of Aklan, citing that that the Aklan capital will play a vital role in expanding the company’s operations.