■ THERMA VISAYAS SCHOLARS HURDLE YOUTH CHALLENGES, GRADUATE WITH HONORS

Samuel Loyloy and Paul James Libron, both Therma Visayas scholars, graduate with honors, hurdling not a few challenges along the way. Paul James had to keep up with the family tradition of excellence, with elder brothers who are now successful professionals in their own right. While most people expect him to play basketball by virtue of his name, he preferred to hone his skill in scrabble instead. Samuel, on the other hand, had to double his efforts to elbow his way out of financial difficulties. Under the TVI Purposive Scholarship program, both of them enjoyed full tuition assistance, allowance for books and monthly stipend.

At first glance, Samuel Loyloy and Paul James Libron have nothing in common except for that fact that they graduated with honors in engineering from the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U).

But the two young men, who barely knew each other at CIT-U, have had to face the same challenges that bugged others in their generation.

Paul James had to work hard to be on the same level as his siblings who are all achievers, while asserting his own identity, particularly in sports. Because of his name, people expect him to play basketball, but Paul James has honed his skills in scrabble.

Samuel, on the other hand, nearly had to quit his studies because of his family’s financial challenges. He was forced to shape up, and forget Dota sessions with friends, so he would qualify for a scholarship.

Samuel and Paul James are among the 10 CIT-U students who received scholarships from AboitizPower subsidiary Therma Visayas, Inc. (TVI) for the school year 2016-2017. Under the TVI Purposive Scholarship Program, scholars received full tuition assistance, allowance for books and monthly stipend.

Last March 27, Paul James Because of the scholarship from AboitizPower, my mother and my stepfather were able to focus on the studies of my younger siblings.

SAMUEL LOYLOY Aboitiz Power subsidiary Therma Visayas, Inc. scholar and CIT-U graduate

Paul James said.

Samuel said that the scholarship served as a lifesaver for him and his family. “Because of the scholarship from AboitizPower, my mother and my stepfather were able to focus on the studies of my younger siblings,” he said.

Alexander Asuncion, AboitizPower corporate services head (generation group), said that AboitizPower launched the scholarship program as part of its commitment to provide a better future to deserving students and to contribute to the economic development of its communities.

AboitizPower, one of the country’s major players in the power generation and distribution industries, is building the TVI 340-MW baseload power plant in Barangay Bato in Toledo City, Cebu. (Contributed article)

WITH HONORS. Samuel Loyloy (left) almost dropped out of school because his mother could no longer afford to pay for his tuition. When he got the scholarship from AboitizPower, he decided to focus on his studies to keep his grades. He graduated cum laude. Paul James Libron (right) graduated cum laude as well to position himself alongside his siblings.